On 14 May 2024, the Cabinet of Ministers approved a draft order prepared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in support of five additional contributions to international organisations and foundations important for Latvia. Financial means for making contributions will be provided from the budget of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In line with the order, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will contribute EUR 100,000 thereby ensuring the representation of Latvia’s interests in international organisations, including in the areas set as priorities under Latvia’s candidacy for the UN Security Council. This contribution will also highlight the image of Latvia as a reliable international partner. Support to Ukraine in cooperation with international organisations will also continue through a contribution to the Office of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, which provides assistance to women victims of violence and to children in Ukraine.
Additional contributions are to be made to the preparation fund for the United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries and the Foundation of the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission, as well as to the budgets of the World Food Programme and the Office for the United Nations Humanitarian Coordination.
The contributions help ensure the successful functioning of those UN bodies, as well as supporting the priority directions of Latvia’s campaign as candidate for a non-permanent Member’s seat on the UN Security Council from 2026 to 2027.
Background information
The purpose of the draft order is to determine that in 2024 the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall make contributions to the budgets of international organisations and foundations in the UN system in order to implement a priority measure, “Supporting a lobby campaign for Latvia’s candidacy in the UN Security Council elections in 2025 for Latvia’s membership of the UN Security Council in 2026–2028”.
EUR 100 000 has already been allocated to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in its 2024 budget for this purpose. The payments will contribute to the implementation of the current foreign policy directions and tasks set by Latvia for its work in international organisations, as well as serving as proof that Latvia is preparing in a targeted manner to stand as a candidate in the 2025 elections to the UN Security Council.