On 23 September 2020, the heads of diplomatic missions accredited to Latvia are visiting Zemgale. The ambassadors have been invited by State Secretary Andris Pelšs on this traditional tour organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to explore a region in Latvia. The ambassadors will learn about opportunities for economic cooperation in the region as well as gaining an insight into its culture and history.
The visitors will visit Ģederts Eliass Jelgava History and Art Museum and meet Andris Rāviņš, Chairman of the Jelgava City Council. At the Emergency Information Centre of Jelgava municipality, the Ambassadors will receive a briefing on the comprehensive mechanisms for communication, information exchange and analysis that ensure direct communication between the city residents, those in charge of maintaining infrastructure, emergency services, public administration authorities, companies and the Civil Defence Commission.
Ambassadors will meet with Irina Pilvere, Rector of the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, and pay a visit to the university's Faculties of Forestry and the Food Technology.
The Ambassadors will be welcomed at "Auči", the memorial museum of the first President of Latvia, Jānis Čakste, as well as visiting the Abgunste Manor.
The participants of the trip will then visit one of the largest companies for processing of PET bottles in Northern Europe, AS PET Latvia. At SIA Cross Timber Systems, the Ambassadors will be introduced to cross-laminated timber technology. They will also take part in a Candy Workshop and have a hands-on experience of manufacturing candy and caramels.
Each year, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs arranges a trip for foreign ambassadors allowing them to become acquainted with a particular Latvian region. For instance, last year, ambassadors had the opportunity to explore Latgale, and before that, the Kurzeme and Vidzeme regions.
Riga hosts 37 embassies along with ten international organisations and their representative offices; there are also 92 non-resident embassies.