On 19 May 2021, Latvia became a member of an cross-regional Accountability, Coherence, and Transparency (ACT) Group at the United Nations.
In joining the ACT Group, Latvia demonstrates its readiness to promote greater accountability and transparency of the UN Security Council (UNSC). By participating in this group, Latvia opens opportunities to be more closely engaged in preparation of proposals to maximise the UNSC’s efficiency, effectiveness, transparency and accountability and to enhance its relations with the broader UN membership.
Participation in the ACT Group will also ensure greater visibility for Latvia at the United Nations, raising its profile, and allow Latvia to gain valuable experience with the work of the Security Council as well as influencing its reform process. This is especially important given that Latvia is now a candidate for a seat at the UN Security Council with the election taking place in 2025.
Background Information
The ACT Group is an informal cross-regional group of countries that was established in 2013 and currently comprises 27 member states. One of the ACT Group’s objectives is to strengthen the unity between states whether or not they happen to be members of the UNSC. The ACT Group promotes various initiatives, offering concrete and pragmatic proposals to improve the working methods of the Security Council.
One of the most significant initiatives which the ACT Group has undertaken is its Code of Conduct which was launched on 23 October 2015. The Code of Conduct calls upon members of the UNSC to respond decisively in cases of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. The most important part of the Code involves calling upon permanent UNSC members to voluntarily suspend use of their veto in the above-mentioned cases of atrocity crimes. Latvia already subscribed to the ACT Group Code of Conduct in 2015.
More information on the ACT Group can be found here