Dear Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Dear Colleagues,  

It is my pleasure to meet you all at World Telecommunication Policy Forum 2021. Despite, regretfully, we can only meet virtually, this Forum is still an excellent opportunity for the ITU community to exchange ideas on how new and emerging digital technologies and trends can enable the global transition to the digital economy. 

As recognised in the draft report from the ITU Secretary General, we must all significantly increase our efforts in mobilizing new and emerging telecommunication/ICT services and technologies for sustainable development. 

COVID-19 has been a stark reminder on how crucial it is to enable everyone, wherever they live, to be part of the digital world. We commend the ITU for taking rapid action to support Member States in the face of the pandemic, including trough REG4COVID Global Network Resiliency Platform. We also welcome WTPF opinion 5 that stresses the importance of telecommunications/ICTs in the pandemic and epidemic preparedness and response. Specifically, we believe that in the face of this crisis it is important to take concrete actions, in the spirit of global solidarity, to strengthen digital resilience of all countries. Therefore, we are proud to join Japan, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and other partners in supporting the ITU’s Connect2Recover Initiative. 

We believe that it is crucial that the ITU also plays its rightful role in overcoming another crisis– probably even more existential one – the climate emergency. A study produced in the context of the campaign for the candidacy of Tomas Lamanauskas for Deputy Secretary General of ITU (tomas4itu campaign) revealed that while our industry recognizes the importance of sustainability practices, we need to raise a level of ambition in terms of measurable targets and concrete actions. We all, as the ITU family, need to step up in helping the industry to achieve Net Zero, and to help others do the same. 

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, 

We in Lithuania have witnessed first-hand the power of digital technologies to transform the economy and society. Therefore, we believe in the importance to harness the power of new and emerging technologies to fuel the sustainable development – everywhere, and in the ITU’s crucial role in achieving that. As we all know, decisions next year on the future strategic direction and vision for the ITU, as well as the leadership that will guide the ITU in executing that vision, will establish the foundations for this. Lithuania, as a responsible member of the ITU community, is determined to work hand-in-hand with all of you to ensure that ITU is fit for the times – to face the challenges as well as leverage the opportunities in front of us. 

Thank you for your attention.