On 26 August 2022 in Geneva, Switzerland, during the Eighth Conference of States Parties (CSP8) to the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Andris Pelšs, delivered opening remarks at a side event on the experience of Latvia, Japan, Mexico, and South Africa in the field of military goods export control.
Andris Pelšs highlighted Latvia’s experience acquired during its presidencies of various export control regimes (the Arms Trade Treaty, the Nuclear Suppliers Group, the Wassenaar Arrangement) over the past few years. Latvia is prepared to share its experience with other small countries who are on the initial stage of setting up export control systems. A decision was taken at the end of CSP8 that Latvia would continue in office as ATT vice-President and assume the post on the ATT Voluntary Trust Fund’s Selection Committee for a two-year term.
While in Geneva, Andris Pelšs also met with the Secretary General of the United Nations Trade and Development Conference (UNCTAD), Rebeca Grynspan, and informed her about Latvia’s input to UNCTAD’s work and about nominating the Ambassador of Latvia to the United Nations in Geneva, Bahtijors Hasans, for the post of Chair of UNCTAD Trade and Development Board till June 2023.
Further on during his visit, on 26 August, te State Secretary met with the Director- General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, for a discussion on the outcomes of the Twelfth WTO Ministerial Conference and their implementation as well as the way forward.
Andris Pelšs also visited the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) and met with Prof. Joachim Mnich, Director for Research and Computing, to gain insight into CERN’s main activities and see a permanent exhibition.
For reference:
ATT
The Arms Trade Treaty is based on Article 26 of the Charter of the United Nations which seeks to promote the maintenance of international peace and security and reduce uncontrolled spread of illicit arms. The ATT establishes export control standards for international trade in conventional arms.
The Arms Trade Treaty was signed in 2013, and Latvia was one of the first signatories. In 2019, Latvia was the first Eastern European country voluntarily assuming presidency of the ATT. At present, 111 countries from all the continents have joined the treaty.
Selection Committee of the ATT Voluntary Trust Fund
An ATT body consisting of 15 seats. The committee decides on the distribution of the financial resources available. Latvia is the only state from the region represented on the committee.
UNCTAD
UNCTAD, established in 1964, deals with promoting of economic growth and sustainable development with the focus on trade, finance, investment and technology related matters. UNCTAD acts as a forum for intergovernmental deliberations on economic development; conducts research, policy analysis and data collection; provides substantial technical assistance, mainly to developing countries, and with special attention to the needs of the least developed countries and of economies in transition.
WTO
WTO is an international organisation established in 1995 with the aim of promoting international trade and regulating trade relations between its members. WTO has 164 members covering more than 95% of global trade. Latvia joined the WTO in 1999.
The WTO Ministerial Conference, held biannually, is the WTO’s main decision-making body. The Twelfth WTO Ministerial originally scheduled to be held in Nursultan, Kazakhstan, in June 2020 was cancelled on several occasions and it took place in Geneva from 12 to 17 June 2022.
CERN
The European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) was established in 1953, and it currently has 23 Member States. Latvia joined CERN as an Associate Member State on 2 August 2021. The delegates of Latvia to the CERN Council are Ambassador Bahtijors Hasans and Dmitrijs Stepanovs, Deputy State Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Science
CERN works to provide international large-scale infrastructure for research in high-energy physics. Latvian companies such as Primekss Group, DATI Group, Baltic Scientific Instruments, SAF Tehnika, and others have been cooperating with CERN.