On 21 and 22 September 2024, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže, began her visit to New York to attend the events of the High-level Week as part of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and to meet cooperation partners from across the globe.
The Foreign Minister Baiba Braže took part in the opening of the Summit of the Future and the adoption of the Pact for the Future, and she delivered a statement during the Interactive Dialogue on enhancing multilateralism for international peace and security. The Pact for the Future reflects the collective efforts of the world’s nations to transform global governance and reform international institutions in line with today’s challenges to climate change, rising inequality and emerging technologies so as to create a sustainable and secure future for future generations.
“Digital and emerging technologies hold immense potential to drive progress toward a sustainable future and can revolutionize the way we address environmental, economic, and social challenges. However, misuse of these capabilities can be severely damaging for progress. We have to ensure inclusive digital transformation, with human rights at its core. We must strengthen our resilience to disinformation. Latvia has valuable experience in building information integrity and promoting media literacy, and we are ready to share this expertise with the international community,” Baiba Braže said in her statement.
The Minister underlined the need to work hand in hand with all stakeholders for the implementation of the ideas set out the Pact for the Future to be meaningful. Inclusion and empowerment of women and girls in decision-making is paramount, as well as participation of the youth. Baiba Braže fully supported the idea voiced in the dialogue by former Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos that the next UN Secretary General should be a woman.
As part of the visit, Baiba Braže and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Andorra, Imma Tor Faus, signed the Convention for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income and on capital. It has a vital role in promoting transnational business cooperation.
The Foreign Minister also visited the Latvian School in New Jersey, where she thanked the Latvian community for maintaining Latvian cultural identity, traditions and the Latvian language. “You are our best ambassadors,” Baiba Braže emphasised at the meeting.
The Minister also gave an interview to the POLITICO news platform.
Over the weekend, on 21 and 22 September, the Foreign Minister held bilateral meetings with the Foreign Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, South Sudan, Egypt, Cuba, Namibia, Senegal, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.
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 iss 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
- The Foreign Minister’s statement in the Interactive Dialogue of the Summit of the Future (1 h 8 min)
- The full text of the Foreign Minister’s interview to The Politico
- A significant number of people of Latvian background (at least 420,000 people) live outside Latvia, and the United States is home to around 98,954 of them, according to figures available to the Foreign Ministry.
- Our diaspora in the United States has an important role to play in strengthening the ties of cooperation between Latvia and the United States, especially in economy, as well as in preserving the Latvian language and cultural heritage outside Latvia.
- Diaspora schools in the United States are among the most important educational institutions for keeping alive the Latvian language and culture for several generations outside Latvia.
Latvia’s candidacy for the United Nations Security Council
Latvia is currently standing as a candidate for membership of the United Nations Security Council for the period of 2026–2027, which is one of the long-term goals in Latvia’s foreign policy laid down the National Development Plan until 2027. Latvia is actively engaged in the UN agenda by providing its own experience and expertise. Latvia has been elected to important UN bodies such as the Human Rights Council, the Economic and Social Council, and the Peacebuilding Commission. Latvia advocates international legal order, independence and territorial integrity of all UN Member States, as well as accountability for violations of international law, and combating intolerance, with a view to ensuring just and sustainable peace.
