Lithuania invites Philippines to join AI human rights treaty in Manila talks
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys met with his Philippine counterpart Theresa Lazaro on Friday to discuss bilateral economic cooperation in high-value-added sectors, as well as cybersecurity, energy, and defense. The meeting took place in the Philippine capital, Manila, on the occasion of events marking the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
During the meeting, Budrys emphasized Lithuania's interest in deepening ties with the Philippines. He stressed the importance of a rules-based international order and reaffirmed Lithuania's support for the 2016 arbitral ruling on the South China Sea.
"Lithuania and the Philippines share a common commitment to international law, multilateralism, and human rights," Budrys said. "We see great potential to further strengthen our partnership and contribute together to a safer, more stable, and prosperous international community."
The Lithuanian Foreign Minister also highlighted the growing contribution of Lithuanian businesses to the digital transformation of the Philippines. He noted that Lithuanian companies are already implementing projects in the digitalization of public services. Additionally, he pointed out that the information and communications technology sector remains one of the most promising areas for further cooperation between the two countries.
Budrys extended an invitation to the Philippines to join the Vilnius Convention, the first legally binding international treaty aimed at protecting human rights in the context of artificial intelligence technologies.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Budrys invited the Philippines to join the Vilnius Convention during the meeting.
Lithuania and the Philippines established diplomatic relations in 1991. Since 2023, the Lithuanian Embassy in South Korea has been accredited to the Philippines.
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