International organizations

International organizations

Lithuania’s aims and objectives in international organizations:

• to ensure the security of the state from any external threats by actively participating in the activities of international organizations,
• to support the development of democracy in Lithuania’s geopolitical environment,
• to foster democratic values and the rule of law in the area of international relations,
• strengthens multilateralism and enhances the effective functioning of international organisations

By participating in the activities of international organizations, Lithuania contributes to:

• peacekeeping efforts around the world and the region,
• the promotion of security and stability,
• the strengthening of human rights and democracy,
• the solutions for global and regional problems,
• the reduction of poverty and illiteracy,
• the sustainable development around the world and the region,
• the environmental protection,
• the promotion of the dialogue among civilizations and to the solutions for other global problems.

Lithuania participates in the activities of approximately 50 international intergovernmental organisations. Lithuania and its representatives numerous times were elected to the governing bodies of various international organisations, as well as were chairing them. In 2007 the representative of Lithuania chaired one of the most important UN bodies – the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). On the 17th October, 2013 Lithuania was elected as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the year 2014-2015. In November 2015 Lithuania was elected to serve on the UNESCO’s Executive Board for the 2015-2019 period and also was elected as a Vice-Chair of this governing body for the 2015-2017 period.

Lithuania also actively participates in regional organisations and builds its regional identity through active participation in these organizations In 2001-2002 Lithuania chaired the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. In 2009-2010 Lithuania chaired the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS), and in 2012 Lithuania chaired and coordinated the work of the Baltic Sea regional formats, such as the Baltic Council of Ministers and the Nordic-Baltic 8 (NB8). In 2011 Lithuania successfully chaired the Organisation of Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).

Lithuania’s policy in international organisations (IOs), interests and achievements

Lithuania actively participates in the activities of the United Nations (UN) and its agencies as well as other IOs, in this way contributing to the international peace and security, through international law and co-operation. The world is increasingly facing global problems (such as terrorism, organized crime, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, climate change, social and economic differentiation, energy and nuclear safety), solutions to which require concerted efforts of many states. Lithuania actively contributes to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

After the Lisbon Treaty entered into force a lot of attention is being paid to the European Union’s (EU) policy towards effective multilateralism and EU’s activities in the IOs.

For Lithuania, participation in the IOs has an important human rights value dimension. Human rights and protection of fundamental freedoms is one of the main EU priorities in working with IOs and third parties. Participating in IOs Lithuania contributes to both the establishment of human rights standards and their implementation. A lot of attention is being given to the protection of children and women’s rights, the fight against human trafficking, the freedom of press, speech and internet, and the safety of journalists.

For more information: Human rights.

Participating in the activities of the IOs, Lithuania implements the international development cooperation policy. Lithuania has acquired its expertise in the areas of the state-building and reform, successful integration to the EU and NATO, and regional problematic of the Eastern European states.

For more information: Development cooperation and democracy promotion.

Most of the IOs help to find solutions for the domestic problems as well, because some of them are of a global nature (corruption, human trafficking, organized crime, drug abuse, etc.). The decision to solve old and newly emerging domestic issues by applying the expertise, reports, programs and standards of the IOs, highly paid off. Lithuania is joining the international cooperation conventions and is being monitored how the assumed commitments are being implemented. The recommendations of the IOs are being used for the legislative base of the Republic of Lithuania and for the improvement of the practice of their implementation.