President of the Republic of Lithuania, Gitanas Nausėda, delivered a congratulatory speech at the event. He recalled that the Prize was named after Valdas Adamkus not by chance, but in honour of his achievements in the field of environmental protection, and emphasised that although presently it is fashionable to care for the environment, this care should remain everlasting. "It is good that it has become popular, but sometimes popular things are remembered today and forgotten tomorrow. The environment cannot become just a fashion. Our commitment to the environment has to be never-ending – it will be a permanent homework that we shall have to do to ensure life not only for ourselves but also for our descendants," the President said, noting that the current prize winner Tatjana Paulauskienė could be a great inspiration for young people and encourage them to follow her example.
President Valdas Adamkus also spoke at the award ceremony, welcoming the fact that the focus on nature conservation has created a beautiful tradition of awarding an annual prize. "Research centres and universities, state institutions and public organisations will always have to work together to protect the environment, including, of course, talented researchers, such as the one we congratulate today. Professor Tatjana Paulauskienė made great efforts to help the world become a cleaner place, to protect our Baltic Sea, and to help the world tackle environmental issues. For many years, such concerns have been my direct job. Therefore, I address Tatjana with sincere respect as a true colleague: thank you for what you do. And thank you to all those who share this concern with you," Valdas Adamkus thanked Tatjana Paulauskienė in his speech.
One of the members of the Prize Committee, Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius, attended the ceremony. He said that the prize winner's vision for the Baltic Sea was very inspiring. "That vision includes first and foremost creating a clean and safe environment – a healthy Baltic Sea in twenty years' time," said Sinkevičius. The Minister of the Environment of the Republic of Lithuania, Simonas Gentvilas, also congratulated the researcher from Klaipėda.
Arūnas Antanaitis, co-founder of the Award and Director of Valdas Adamkus Presidential Library-Museum, noted that the award was based on the UN Champions of the Earth awards, given to individuals, groups, and institutions that were transforming the economy through the development of new and sustainable technologies, fighting environmental injustice, protecting natural resources, and creating a more sustainable future. "Valdas Adamkus Prize is awarded for an individual's contribution to Lithuania's environmental protection and efforts to improve and restore the country's natural environment. Each year we receive nominations in the fields of science, society, politics, and business. This year, the Prize is awarded to professor Tatjana Paulauskienė for the development of innovative and environmentally friendly technologies for the cleaning of oil pollutants from water, environmental education of the public, and for her achievements and leadership in the field of ecology and environmental science," emphasised Arūnas Antanaitis.
In her thank-you speech, Tatjana Paulauskienė, who received the statuette of sculptor Kęstutis Dovydaitis from President Valdas Adamkus, expressed the hope that her work in the field of environmental protection will bring great benefits to the whole of Europe. "A few years ago, the whole of Europe, including Lithuania, chose the European Grean Deal and the ambitious goal of becoming a climate-neutral continent by 2050. I believe that together we will create a clean and safe environment and a healthy Baltic Sea, connecting regions and ensuring human well-being," said Tatjana Paulauskienė, who was nominated for the award by the Faculty of Marine Technology and Natural Sciences of Klaipėda University. She thanked the KU community, her team members, and her family for their support.
This year, a total of 16 people were nominated, and the winner will receive €5,000 and a statuette of sculptor Kęstutis Dovydaitis.
President Valdas Adamkus Environmental Prize was established by Valdas Adamkus Presidential Library-Museum and Dana Gedvila Fund in the USA. Its manager, Mr Gabrielius Gedvila, has allocated USD 100,000 for the longer life of the prize. Dana Gedvila Fund is under the auspices of the Lithuanian Foundation.
The winner is selected by the Prize Committee of eminent environmental, scientific, and cultural figures.
