At the high-level debate, the President stressed the need for greater international cooperation, collective response to the COVID-19 crisis and recovery, focusing on challenges for multilateralism, the recent achievements and the role of the OECD in the current context. The discussion covered key priorities for addressing the pandemic and its consequences and preparing for the recovery, including vaccine development and distribution, international mobility, global value chains, coordination of economic policies, debt relief initiatives, etc.
“Seeking to save lives, Lithuania enforced strict lockdown measures that are being followed by economic contraction and social challenges seen also in other countries. However, we all need to think ahead and transform our economies. This is the only way for us to emerge from the pandemic stronger and more resilient. And only if the economic transformation will be followed by a social change, with measures to increase the wellbeing of our citizens, reduce poverty and foster regional convergence, we will have a sustainable success”, the President said as he addressed Secretary General Jose Angel Gurría and leaders of states.
According to the President, the OECD had a unique leadership role to play here as the world needed strong global solidarity, as well as cooperation efforts, since most of immediate and long-term challenges were also global. The President emphasized that Countering the pandemic and shaping an inclusive, strong and green recovery called for a global response. And following that, we would have to ensure that more people shared benefits of an integrated global economy.
During the debate, the President expressed hope that Lithuania’s economic survey discussed a month ago together with the OECD leader and the agreed economic and social transformation would help build a solid foundation for a welfare state so that Lithuania could become a strong, fair, green and innovative state. The President highlighted that we had an unprecedented opportunity to ensure digital, green, innovative and socially fair recovery. All these four elements pose challenges and all of them are necessary.
The commemoration brought together leaders of OECD member countries, other heads of state and government, heads of international organizations, leading academics, representatives of civil society, business and high-level OECD officials.
