On 29 August, 2023, the Cabinet of Ministers approved a draft order prepared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in support of additional contributions to several organisations and foundations in the United Nations system. For the first time, a contribution will also be made to the Office of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict to provide support to victims of sexual violence in Ukraine. Financial means for making contributions will be provided from the budget of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
According to the draft order, EUR 10,000 will be contributed to the budgets of each of the Office of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, the International Programme for the Development of Communication of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and cultural Organization (UNESCO), and the Foundation of the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission. For their turn, the UN Women and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights are expected to receive EUR 15,000 each. Additional contributions of EUR 20,000 are planned to the budget of the UN International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and the fund in support of preparations for the International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4).
It is on voluntary contributions from countries and other donors that the successful functioning of those UN bodies primarily depends. The payments not only facilitate achievement of the objectives of those UN bodies, but also help Latvia to fulfil the tasks it has set for work in international organisations and testify that Latvia is preparing in a targeted manner, to stand as a candidate in the 2025 elections to the UN Security Council.