News

Lithuania took over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union and will give a speech on behalf of the EU at the Substantive session of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) on July 1 in Geneva. The Lithuanian delegation led by the Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Rolandas Kriščiūnas is attending a month-long Substantive Session that is held at one the largest United Nations centres - the United Nations Office at Geneva and focuses on science, technology and innovation, and the potential of culture.

Secretary General Ban Ki-moon opened the session in Geneva. Keynote addresses were given by Irina Bokova, Director General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Rolf-Dieter Heuer, Director General of the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), and other important representatives.

While speaking on behalf of the EU, Kriščiūnas will underline the importance of science, technology, innovation, and culture not only for achieving the Millennium Development Goals, but also for addressing climate change challenges and meeting food security needs, as well as solving public health issues.

At the session, Lithuania will present a successful initiative in science and technology – an invention by Lithuanian company Biocentras that is used to clean up soil contaminated with crude oil. The company was awarded the prestigious EUREKA Innovation Award for this invention.

ECOSOC coordinates the activities of the UN in the area of economic, social and environmental development. It is responsible for promoting higher standards of living, full employment; identifying solutions to health problems; and encouraging universal respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and eliminating discrimination.

At the session, over 40 resolutions on development, social, humanitarian, human rights and other issues are to be adopted. At the session, the Lithuanian Presidency of the EU Council will hold negotiations on behalf of the EU on specific ECOSOC resolutions, and will make EU statements.

ECOSOC has 54 members. Lithuania was a member of ECOSOC from 2005 to 2007. In 2006, the Permanent Representative of Lithuania to the United Nations, Ambassador Dalius Čekuolis was elected Vice-President of the Council, and, in 2007, he served as the President of ECOSOC for one year.