The first companies have signed the organisations’ Charter

President of the Republic of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda has appointed Tomas Godliauskas, Head of the Total Defence Association, to the National Total Defence Coordination Council. The appointment is set out in a presidential decree amending the Council’s membership.

“Total defence becomes effective only when every participant understands their role, is prepared to fulfil it and can act together with others. We see our participation in the Council as an opportunity to help turn national defence plans into real preparedness among institutions, organisations, communities and citizens. Our goal is to achieve a swarm effect by 2030: the state has a plan, everyone knows their place within it, and everyone is prepared,” says Tomas Godliauskas, Head of the Total Defence Association.

The National Total Defence Coordination Council is an advisory group of experts established by the President. It considers the implementation of the objectives set out in the State Defence Plan, the preparedness of different participants in the total defence system, and their coordination and cooperation.

Through its participation in the Council, the Total Defence Association will seek to contribute to strengthening Lithuania’s practical total defence model, increasing the involvement of organisations and citizens, and clarifying their roles in national defence.

In the Association’s view, a strong total defence system cannot be built through the efforts of state institutions alone. It requires continuous cooperation between the armed forces, central and local government, businesses, non-governmental organisations, communities and citizens.

As a member of the Council, the Association will focus primarily on the preparedness of society and organisations, their involvement in national defence planning, the development of practical mechanisms for action, and the assessment of progress in strengthening total defence.