On 26 September 2024, in continuation of her working visit to New York for the High-Level Week of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže, took part in the Ministerial Meeting of the United Nations Group of Friends of Mediation, co-chaired by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Finland and Türkiye. Its key topic, Staying the course: reinforcing mediation in a changing conflict environment, sparked keen interest among the countries.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs emphasised the importance of mediation for small countries in particular, including Latvia, as well as the main prerequisite – to base the settlement of international disputes on the principles enshrined in the UN Charter.
“Latvia continuously supports the aim of the Group of Friends to promote mediation of conflicts, including by centring the United Nations’ role and efforts,” Baiba Braže noted.
Further during the day, the Foreign Minister took part in the meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the European Union and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (EU-CELAC), which dealt with interregional dialogue and other urgent matters including international security and strengthening mutual trade links. In her remarks, the Foreign Minister stated:
“In the present-day globally connected world, interregional security and economic interests are inseparable; so, we need to expand and deepen bilateral and multilateral relations with the Latin American and Caribbean countries in a targeted manner. We must understand the priority challenges of other countries, share our message and experience, and forge new global partnerships. This includes bilateral consultations, ministerial visits and other practical measures.”
The Ministers pledged their readiness to prevent and counter any attacks on the UN Charter and made a commitment to deliver on the Pact for the Future.
At the 23rd annual meeting with partners from the Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs), Baiba Braže addressed the audience and assured that Latvia was prepared to share experience in digitalisation and information and communication technology matters, e-governance and the use of smart technologies in natural resource management. This would contribute to addressing climate change, education, media and information literacy challenges and help bridge the digital divide. The Minister also shared Latvia’s experience with empowering women in leadership and technology.
Baiba Braže also joined a ministerial-level discussion initiated by the Arab League, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and Norway on developments in the Middle East. At the meeting, ministers exchanged views on further steps towards a two-state solution and prevention of the spill-over of violence into the region.
The Minister then attended the concluding function for the Forum of Small States (FOSS), where the interests of small states and their role in the protection of international law and principles was reaffirmed.
On 26 September 2024, Baiba Braže had bilateral meetings with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Djibouti, Mahamoud Ali Youssouf.
The High-level Week the 79th Session of the UNGA in New York is held from 21 to 30 September. Alongside discussions on international developments, the key focus of this session will be placed on the strengthening of international solidarity and the rules-based order.
Topics to be highlighted while participating in UN events will be Russia’s accountability for international crimes committed in Ukraine, the strengthening of multilateralism and international order, and the need for a global governance reform.
At the events of the High-Level Week, Latvia is represented by President Edgars Rinkēvičs, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže, and the Minister of Health, Hosams Abu Meri.
For updates on the working visit, follow the Foreign Ministry on its social network accounts.
Further information
- Latvia has been member of the UN Group of Friends of Mediation since 2019 and taking part in its annual foreign ministers’ meeting in New York.
- The EU-CELAC (the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, with 33 members) dialogue has been underway since 2010. Eight years since their last gathering, on 17-18 July 2023, Brussels hosted the Third EU-CELAC Summit, at which Latvia was represented by the Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš. The summit aimed at laying the foundation for a modernised and deeper EU partnership with countries in Latin America and the Caribbean region (LAC) while resuming high-level dialogues and expanding trade and economic cooperation.
