On 19 September 2022, in New York, during the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Edgars Rinkēvičs, met with the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Samoa, Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa, for a discussion on bilateral relations and cooperation in international organisations.
Edgars Rinkēvičs expressed his certainty that it was vital for Latvia to cooperate with like-minded partners in the Indo-Pacific region. “Latvia hopes to work together with Samoa in multilateral formats in the areas of common priorities, including climate action and environment,” Edgars Rinkēvičs said.
The Foreign Minister informed his Samoan counterpart that a representative from Latvia, Professor Dr.iur. Mārtiņš Paparinskis, would be working in the United Nations’ International Law Committee. He will provide expertise in the areas of development of international law while answers are being sought to new challenges posed to international law, for instance, the disappearing territories of island states in the Pacific, caused by climate change.
Edgars Rinkēvičs thanked Samoa for supporting Ukraine in United Nations votes. Samoa sponsored the United Nations General Assembly resolutions on Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, the humanitarian situation in Ukraine, and suspension of Russia’s membership of the United Nations Human Rights Council.
The Minister also pointed out that Latvia was standing as a candidate for elections to the United Nations Security Council in 2025.