Lithuania at UNESCO 🇱🇹

In the context of the recent escalation of the war in Ukraine following the invasion by the Russian Federation, @UNESCO is deeply alarmed by the reported aerial strikes over the weekend, notably in the Kyiv region, which resulted in reported severe damage to more than 10 cultural institutions and 2 educational and research facilities, as well as media outlets. #UNESCO expresses its sincere condolences to the families of the victims and its support to all those affected.   Among the monuments reported to be affected, three are located within the buffer zone of the UNESCO World Heritage site and the immediate vicinity of the cultural property under Enhanced Protection, “Kyiv: Saint-Sophia Cathedral and Related Monastic Buildings, Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra » : the National Academy of Music of Ukraine, the Central Post Office (Postal Station) and the Building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.   UNESCO condemns attacks against cultural property, educational institutions, students, education personnel and media professionals protected under international law. Damage to such institutions deprives communities of access to culture, education, and shared spaces that are essential for recovery and social cohesion.   UNESCO stands ready to support relevant authorities in assessing damage to cultural and educational institutions and identifying urgent measures within its mandate. unesco.org/en/articles/un…

Kyiv update: Russian terrorists burned down Chornobyl museum, a market, murdered sleeping innocent civilians, 2 killed, more than 56 injured #StopRussia #StandWithUkraine

À Kyiv, des frappes de missiles et de drones russes ont détruit le Musée national de Сhоrnobyl еt endommagé beaucoup d'autres musées. 2/3

L'Ukraine appelle l'UNESCO à mettre en œuvre tous les instruments, mécanismes, procédures et pouvoirs dont elle dispose pour faire cesser ces crimes russes contre la Constitution de l'UNESCO. 3/3

Aujourd'hui, la Russie a brutalement attaqué le centre historique de Kyiv et tous les sphères du mandat de l'UNESCO en Ukraine, détruisant et endommageant des musées et d'autres institutions historiques, culturelles, éducatives et scientifiques. 1/3

Nuclear capable missiles and other projectiles targeting Ukrainian civilians must not be treated as business as usual. Such cowardly attacks won’t affect our resolve to support Ukraine’s fight against the Russian aggression.

During the 14th session of the Subsidiary Committee of the 1970 Convention, 🇱🇹: ✅ Welcomed @UNESCO’s efforts to combat online trafficking of cultural property ✅ Highlighted innovative digital tools like the #VirtualMuseum for returning cultural objects to the public ✅ Acknowledged strengthened protection & investigation in emergency situations ✅ Joined efforts to safeguard 🇺🇦 heritage — supporting conservation, research & restoration

Today we celebrated #EuropeDay at #UNESCO . By symbolically traveling through the cuisines of 🇪🇺 Member States, we reaffirmed that we are truly united in diversity. Even in the face of challenges, we stand strong in defending our shared values: dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law, and human rights. Stronger together! We sincerely thank everyone who celebrated the unity - @EUatOECD_UNESCO @CKokkinakis @LTEmbassyFR @LatviaOECD

Kremlin constantly tries to whitewash its crimes past and present. russia has always pursued colonialist ambitions and used armed force to achieve its dirty goals. No bogus excuse can change facts - Soviet Union was an occupier. #WordsMatter

#Lithuania strongly condemns the #IOC Executive Board’s reckless decision to open the door for Belarusian athletes — and potentially Russian athletes — back into international sport, effectively reopening the path to LA Olympic games 2028 and major international competitions. This move contradicts the very principles of the Olympic Charter and comes despite Russia’s ongoing aggression against #Ukraine and Belarus’ continued support. The reasons for the 2022 ban remain fully valid. While Ukraine bleeds, civilians — including children — are being killed daily, and cities are reduced to rubble, the IOC chooses to reward regimes that enable this brutality. Dozens of 🇺🇦 athletes will never compete again because they were killed defending their country. Their silence stands in stark contrast to today’s shameful decision. 🇱🇹 stands firm: together with Ukraine and our partners, we will take all necessary steps to block Russian and Belarusian athletes from competitions and, especially, on our soil.

History tells that brutal dictators must be stopped until the price gets too high. Kremlin publicly embraces the USSR's crimes as its legacy. No amount of historical distortion can vindicate the Soviets' own role as occupiers. Occupation is not liberation. #WordsMatter

History tells that brutal dictators must be stopped until the price gets too high. Kremlin publicly embraces the USSR's crimes as its legacy. No amount of historical distortion can vindicate the Soviets' own role as occupiers. Occupation is not liberation. #WordsMatter

May 1945 did not mean the end of the war for Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. The USSR occupied us, used military force to crush the efforts to restore the statehood after WWII, and engaged in history distortion, hiding its crimes. Such “liberators” are called occupiers. #WordsMatter

African World Heritage is an essential part of our shared human story. On 5 May, #AfricanWorldHeritageDay, we honour its richness, diversity and universality—and invest in its future. This year also marks 20 years of the African World Heritage Fund, supporting the protection of cultural and natural heritage across the continent. Progress is real, but challenges remain: Africa still represents only 12% of World Heritage sites. We must go further. Heritage drives education, jobs, sustainable tourism and resilience to climate change. Today, let us reaffirm: Africa is a force for knowledge, conservation and transmission—for the benefit of all humanity. #ForThePeople

Soviet Union is as guilty for triggering WWII as Nazi Germany. Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact secretly divided the region, and both countries conspired to invade Poland. Both totalitarian regimes brought disastrous occupation and suppressed national identity. #WordsMatter

Soviet Union is as guilty for triggering WWII as Nazi Germany. Two countries concluded the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, which secretly divided the region into zones of influence, and both conspired to invade Poland. Nazis’ surrender did not bring freedom to the Baltic States.

Neither Nazis nor the USSR cared about international treaties. Deportation, murder, and terror followed any territorial occupation. In 1944, the most brutal mechanisms of Stalin's totalitarian regime were in place: the absolute transfer of power to Moscow, terror and political repression.

Today, I was inspired by the heroic stories of the #Righteous Among the Nations. In a solemn ceremony, we honoured two #Lithuanian families of Jewish rescuers, whose names are etched into human history: Antanas and Stasė Volskiai, and Tadas Pocius with Barbora Bacevičienė‑Urbonavičiūtė (Pocienė). Their courage reminds us that humanity is a conscious choice - made under brutal conditions and at a risk of death. They chose compassion over fear and their determination to save lives is a powerful reminder that we must never yield to moral complacency.

Attacks on journalists are attacks on freedom of expression. More than ever, we need reliable sources of information and press freedom. On Sunday's #WorldPressFreedomDay and every day, join @UNESCO in defending journalism and standing up for democracy. unesco.org/en/days/press-…

The self-proclaimed liberators are just another step in the Kremlin's consistent attempt to justify its brutal imperialism, notably in the war against Ukraine. Lies, manipulation, and absurd are their favourite tracks to play from the #disinformation playlist. #WordsMatter