On 12 May 2025, the Permanent Representatives of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania jointly inaugurated the exhibition “Lessons of World War II: The Baltic Way to UN Membership” at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
Marking 80 years since the end of the Second World War, the exhibition highlights the Baltic States’ historical experience and underscores the continued importance of upholding the international rules-based order and international law. Through carefully selected documents and archival materials, the exhibition reflects on the consequences of World War II, including the reoccupation of the Baltic States and their exclusion from the international stage. In light of Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine, the relevance of this historical narrative remains strikingly urgent.
The opening ceremony was attended by over 100 guests, including representatives of UN Member States, officials from the UN Secretariat, and members of the Baltic Appeal to the United Nations (BATUN)—a historic organisation that, during the decades of Soviet occupation, advocated for the restoration of Baltic independence through international engagement.
The exhibition will be on view to the public from 12 to 23 May on the first floor of UN Headquarters.
The initiative was supported by the Permanent Missions of Moldova, Romania, Ukraine, and Finland, as well as the Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations.
Organised within the framework of Latvia’s public diplomacy efforts, the event also forms part of the broader campaign in support of Latvia’s candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2026–2027 term. Securing membership on the Council would provide Latvia with a vital platform to advance its foreign policy priorities and contribute meaningfully to the maintenance of international peace and security through multilateral diplomacy.