The annual Lithuanian Development Cooperation Conference, themed “Building Resilience through International Partnerships,” taking place on 30 October, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania, will bring together Lithuanian and international policy makers, experts, public, private, and non-governmental sector representatives to discuss how to reshape the development cooperation system to meet today’s challenges.
Key topics will include enabling rapid reconstruction of Ukraine, strengthening partner countries' resilience to global threats such as climate change, digitalization, and hybrid warfare, while simultaneously enhancing Lithuania's role in the international arena.
A major focus will be on Ukraine's recovery and reconstruction efforts. The keynote speech on Italy's role and the upcoming Ukraine Recovery Conference, to be held in Rome in July 2025, will be delivered by Davide La Cecilia, Italy's Special Envoy for the Reconstruction of Ukraine.
Significant agreements to guide future cooperation with international partners will be solidified during the conference. A Memorandum of Understanding between Lithuania and Ireland will be signed, defining joint efforts to build bomb shelters for schools in Ukraine. Additionally, a Memorandum of Understanding with Taiwan on further collaboration in Ukraine’s reconstruction will be formalized. A contract will also be signed with the winner of international architectural competition „Future School for Ukraine“- Italian Company „Scandurra Studio Architeturra srl“.
A practical afternoon session “Future Strategic Guidelines of Lithuanian Development Cooperation: Searching for a New Approach, Needs and Insights” will be organized by the National Non-Governmental Development Cooperation Organisations’ Platform. The session is aimed at accumulating ideas and recommendations for strengthening of the Lithuanian development cooperation system and drafting new strategic directions for 2026-2030.
The Annual Development Cooperation Conference will take place on 30 October 2024, starting at 9:30 AM at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (J. Tumo-Vaižganto str. 2, Hall 5, 2nd Floor).
The first part of the conference until will be held in English, while the afternoon session, starting at 2 pm., will be conducted in Lithuanian language.
The event is open to the public, but registration is required. Please register by completing the on line form by 28 October.
We look forward to welcoming you on 30 October!
PROGRAMME (Click here to download)
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9:00-9:30 am |
Registration and welcome coffee |
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9:30-9:50 am |
OPENING SPEECHES Mr Gabrielius Landsbergis, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania Mr Oksen Lisovyi, Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine (online) The opening session will be hosted by Ms Rasa Kairienė, Director of Development Cooperation Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania |
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9:50-10:00 am |
KEYNOTE: Mr Davide La Cecilia, Special Envoy for the Reconstruction of Ukraine, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy "Preparations for the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2025 in Rome and approach of Italy to Reconstruction of Ukraine" |
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10:00-11:00 am |
I SESSION. BUILDING UKRAINE'S RESILIENCE: Best Ways to Address the Most Pressing Needs Discussion will delve into Lithuania's (and its partners') strategic approach, priorities and contribution to Ukraine's reconstruction and recovery through development cooperation instruments. Participants are invited to explore Lithuania's added value in the recovery of Ukraine, attracting international partners, scaling up projects and increasing their impact. The discussion will cover various aspects of Ukraine's development, putting specific focus on how partners can best contribute to building and maintaining country’s resilience amid continued destruction by russia. Moderator Ms Mantė Makauskaitė, Chief Advisor for International Partnerships, Office of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania Panelists Mr Andrius Kalindra, Ambassador at Large for Ukraine’s reconstruction and recovery, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania Mr Éamonn Mac Aodha, Director of Multilateral EU Unit, Development Cooperation and Africa Division, Department of Foreign Affairs of Ireland Ms Svitlana Denysenko, Director of the Kyiv School of Economics Foundation, Ukraine Mr Romas Švedas, Independent Expert in EU Integration, Governance and International Relations, Lithuania Mr Artūras Žarnovskis, Co-create Future of Ukraine and European Peace Facility Programme Manager, Central Project Management Agency, Lithuania Q&A session |
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11:00-11:30 am |
Coffee Break |
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11:30 am - 12:50 pm |
II SESSION. Empowering Partners: Approaches to Enhancing Resilience Against the Global Challenges The aim of the discussion is to take a closer look at the experiences of Lithuanian development cooperation project implementers in addressing today's most important and pressing global challenges - building resilience to climate change, disinformation, hybrid threats, developing innovative solutions, and strengthening democratic values and institutions. Participants are invited to share their experiences on how their projects have contributed to solving existing challenges, what lessons have helped them to increase their impact, and how to maintain a sustainable outcome in the long term. Moderator Ms Dovilė Paužaitė, Head of Development Cooperation and Democracy Promotion Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania Panelists Ms Constance H. Wang, Head of the Taiwanese Representative Office in Lithuania Ms Marcela Luchita, Head of the Development and Partnership Department, Centre for Strategic Communication and Countering Disinformation, Moldova Mr Kanstantsin Staradubets, Viasna Center for Human Rights Ms Urtė Andriukaitytė, Civic Resilience Initiative, Lithuania Ms Aušra Raulušonytė, Create Lithuania Alumni, “Fostering Green Innovation Export through the Instruments of Development Cooperation” project manager, Lithuania Mr Julius Zubė, Development Cooperation Adviser, NRD Companies, Lithuania Mr Žilvinas Švedkauskas, OSMOS Global Partnerships, Lithuania Q&A |
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12:50:1:00 pm |
CLOSING REMARKS Mr Simonas Šatūnas, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania |
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1:00-2:00 pm |
Lunch |
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2:00-3:30 pm |
Workshop - Strategic directions for the future of Lithuania’s development cooperation: searching for new insights and approaches Event dedicated to the stakeholders of Lithuanian development cooperation ecosystem. The event will be held in Lithuanian. The workshop aims to gather new ideas, insights, recommendations for the preparation of the Strategic Directions for Development Cooperation 2026-2030. |
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3.30 pm |
End of the Conference |
