News

On 1 May, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Lithuania to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva, Rytis Paulauskas, met with Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union. The meeting focused on topical topics of international telecommunications policy, digital transformation, and security.

“The role of the ITU in today’s world is critical, from ensuring reliable connectivity to promoting the digital transformation. Lithuania advocates for a strong, transparent and responsible organisation capable of responding effectively to new challenges, including harmful radio interference," said Lithuania's Ambassador Paulauskas.

The participants in the meeting discussed the issue of GPS signal interference related to Russia's sphere of activity. Lithuania underlined its continued close cooperation with countries facing these disruptions, its active participation in the responsible ITU bodies, and stressed the importance of this issue in the run-up to the ITU World Radiocommunication Conference 2027 (WRC-27).

During the meeting, the review of the ITU's regional presence, preparations for the ITU's Plenipotentiary Conference and WRC-27, as well as other issues relevant in the context of cooperation between Lithuania and ITU, were also discussed.

Founded in 1865, ITU is the oldest specialized agency of the United Nations. It acts as the primary body for information and communication technologies (ICTs), manages the global radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbits, and develops international standards. Lithuania has been a member of ITU since 1923. The country actively participates in the activities of the organization. The position of Deputy Secretary-General of ITU is held by Tomas Lamanauskas, a Lithuanian who significantly contributes to the implementation of the strategic agenda of the organization.