Latvia’s priorities for the UN Security Council highlighted at the Baltic Symposium in London

On 31 March 2025, in London, the University College London held its Baltic Symposium 2025, where experts from the three Baltic states discussed the Baltic states’ contribution to international security, the development of artificial intelligence and digital security, as well as creative industries and cultural diplomacy in the Baltics. Latvia was represented by the Ambassador-at-Large, Director of the Latvian UN Security Council Campaign Task Force, Andrejs Pildegovičs, and Associate Professor at the Latvian Academy of Culture, Ieva Zemīte. With experts from Lithuania also present, a key-note speech for the symposium was delivered by Toomas Hendrik Ilves, former President of Estonia.

While introducing the participants to Latvia’s priorities for its UN Security Council campaign, Andrejs Pildegovičs underlined that the motto of the campaign, “Together for Peace and Resilience”, has been chosen due to resilience being an essential aspect for the entire society. As a member of the UN Security Council, Latvia will be an important voice for the Baltic and Nordic region on this UN body. In today’s rapidly changing world, it is vital for the Baltic states to be active and result-oriented, and the Baltic states’ opinion must be heard everywhere – including in the UN Security Council. The aspiration of becoming a member of the UN Security Council also sends a clear message to Latvia’s strategic partners about the readiness of this country to invest in protecting the interests of the West and the European Union.

In a discussion on the development of creative industries and cultural diplomacy in the Baltic states, Associate Professor Ieva Zemīte from the Latvian Academy of Culture introduced the audience to Latvia’s experience with the development and identification of creative and cultural industries, considering their interdisciplinary and changing nature. The Associate Professor also noted that members of creative industries – musicians, artists, and others – have already been providing a significant contribution to Latvia’s national economy through innovative solutions.

The Baltic Symposium is organized every two years by the UCL School of Slavonic and East European Studies, the Embassies of Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania, and the Baltic Council in the UK. The aim of the symposium is to focus the panel discussions of the Baltic and international researchers and experts on the experience and role of the Baltic states in the strengthening of Europe’s security.

The project was implemented as part of the public diplomacy programme in support of the lobby campaign of Latvia’s candidacy for the United Nations Security Council. The campaign under the motto of “Together for peace and resilience” aims at ensuring that Latvia, a first-time candidate for an elected member’s seat, is elected to the UN Security Council for the 2026–2027 term. Membership of the UNSC will be a key instrument in pursuit and protection of Latvia’s foreign policy interests and enable Latvia to expand its international cooperation, thereby contributing to world peace and resilience.