From 22 to 24 February 2023, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Edgars Rinkēvičs, will be visiting New York to take part in events on the United Nations agenda – a year after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
On 23 February, the Foreign Minister will participate in the emergency special session of the United Nations General Assembly on Ukraine. The session is expected to adopt a resolution titled “Principles underlying a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine”. The Minister will appeal to the United Nations member states urging them to stand up against the aggression and provide every kind of support that Ukraine requires in the fight for its territory and sovereignty. Edgars Rinkēvičs will reassert the need to achieve Russia’s accountability for its crimes of aggression and call for the establishment of a special international tribunal.
On 24 February, the Minister is to address the meeting of the United Nations General Assembly on Ukraine, at which Edgars Rinkēvičs will deliver a speech on behalf of the Nordic countries and the Baltic States.
As part of his visit, the Foreign Minister will have meetings with the United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, and with the leadership of the UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) and the International Crisis Group, as well as taking part in a ministerial level meeting with participation of the Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs. Edgars Rinkēvičs also intends to meet with the Ambassadors of UN member states in New York for an exchange of views on the global repercussion of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.