On 25 September 2024 in New York, during the High-Level Week of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže, attended the launch of an initiative by the Foreign Ministers of Australia, Canada, Germany and the Netherlands to take an international legal action against the Taliban for violations of the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). Latvia joined the joint declaration and supported the initiative of the four countries while condemning violence and gender discrimination pursued by the Taliban regime especially concerning the access to education for women and girls.
The Foreign Minister also took part in the high-level plenary meeting on the legal dimensions of sea-level rise and voiced support for the Small Island States in their fight against existential threats.
“In light of Latvia’s historic experience of continued statehood since its founding in 1918 and its membership in the League of Nations, we reiterate the view that statehood is not affected by a climate change induced sea-level rise because factual control over territory is not always a necessary criterion for the continued juridical existence of States,” Baiba Braže noted.
The Foreign Minister attended and delivered a statement at the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting organised by Brazil, where she stressed the need to strengthen multilateralism and reform global governance institutions, including by adjusting the UN Security Council and the international financial system to contemporary developments, challenges and needs. Those reforms are urgently needed at a time when the international rule-based order is tested by major challenges arising from Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the humanitarian crises in Gaza and Sudan, as well as climate change and other emerging challenges.
“The evolving and complex global challenges highlight the urgent need for collective action to reinvigorate multilateralism and reform global governance institutions. We would not be here if this was not a shared goal,” said Baiba Braže.
Latvia, being a strong advocate for good governance, rule of law, resilience and democratic participation, believes that special attention should be paid to meaningful involvement of women and youth in reform processes.
The Foreign Minister also took part in an event organised by the United States President Joseph Biden, addressing Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction and held with participation of the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. The countries present pledged their continued support to Ukraine until its victory in the fight against the Russian aggression, and their commitment to engage in rebuilding Ukraine. The world leaders endorsed a joint declaration, including demonstrating their support to Ukraine on its path to the European Union membership.
Foreign Minister Baiba Braže, together with the Minister of External Affairs of India, Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Guyana, Hugh Hilton Todd, participated in a panel discussion on development-related issues organised by the Observers Research Foundation think-tank. The Minister presented an outline of Latvia’s plans concerning the achievement of sustainable development goals and shared Latvia’s experience with driving an inclusive digital transition.
On 24 September 2024, the Foreign Minister also gave an interview to CNN and met with the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Iraq.
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
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Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women – CEDAW
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The G20 is an intergovernmental group of 20 finance ministers and central bank governors of the world’s largest economies. It comprises 19 countries – Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, the Republic of Korea, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, the United States – and the European Union represented by the President of the European Council and the President of the European Central Bank.
