The Lithuanian capital of Vilnius is known for its historic Old Town, but as host of the 2025 EU Cities Mission conference it will become a focal point for the future as hundreds of guests from dozens of cities across Europe meet there to discuss innovation and collaboration on climate action. The city’s mayor, Valdas Benkunskas, answered some questions for NetZeroCities ahead of this flagship event.
Vilnius is welcoming hundreds of visitors for the EU Cities Mission conference – what motivated the city to host the it?
This conference marks a crucial halfway point in the Cities Mission – a time to reflect on what’s been achieved and to refocus on what still lies ahead. For Vilnius, it’s also a defining year: we are proud to be the European Green Capital 2025. Hosting the conference is both a celebration of our local progress and a reminder that we can’t act alone. We believe meaningful climate action requires strong alliances, knowledge exchange, and trust across borders. By bringing the Mission Cities community together here in Vilnius, we hope to strengthen our shared momentum and spark new collaborations that help us all move faster and further.
As a Mission City with ambitious climate goals, what are the actions or activities in your city that you are most proud of?
One of our key achievements is the Climate Change Agreement, which brings together local institutions, business, and civil society in a shared commitment to climate neutrality. We are also moving forward with the adaptation to climate change actions by investing in practical solutions like our Climate Neutrality Promotion Programme, which funds community-driven projects, and pilot low-emission zones that aim to improve urban mobility and air quality. Across all areas – from circular economy pilots to nature-based solutions – we prioritise collaboration, transparency, and data-driven decision-making.
How do these relate to a future vision for the city?
Our vision is of a greener, healthier, and more climate-resilient Vilnius – a city that ensures a high quality of life for all. This vision is grounded in strategic planning and strong stakeholder collaboration. We believe in practical change: transforming how we move, build, and live, while actively involving communities, businesses, and institutions at every step.
What would you like conference guests to take away from their time in Vilnius?
We hope our guests will see that change is possible when cities lead with purpose and partnership. Let them experience Vilnius not only as a beautiful and vibrant capital, but also as a city actively shaping Europe’s green transition.
