From 1 to 3 July 2024, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will host the 11th Meeting of the Honorary Consuls of the Republic of Latvia in Riga to bring them up-to-date on Latvia’s foreign and security policy and opportunities for bilateral economic cooperation. The participants will also be briefed on lobby campaign efforts aimed at successful election of Latvia to the United Nations Security Council for the 2026–2027 term in the 2025 election, at which Latvia is running for an elected member’s seat for the first time. The agenda also includes current consular matters. The meeting is to bring together almost 100 Honorary Consuls from more than 40 countries.
An Honorary Consul performs representational and consular functions on behalf of the Republic of Latvia, having assumed their duties voluntarily. Latvia’s Honorary Consuls represent the interests of Latvia in all regions across the globe – Europe, the Americas, Asia, Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Latvia has more than 170 Honorary Consuls, who represent various business sectors.
On 1 July, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the participants of the meeting will be addressed by Prime Minister Evika Siliņa. The Prime Minister will emphasise the importance of Latvia’s economic cooperation with other countries, including export promotion and attraction of foreign investments. As the Prime Minister has underlined on earlier occasions, this is also the matter of national and public security. The Prime Minister will then point to the importance of strengthening NATO deterrence and defence in the run-up to the NATO summit, as well as Latvia’s continued support to Ukraine in its fight against the Russian aggression.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže, will discuss the ways to strengthen cooperation with Honorary Consuls, which is a foreign policy tool of strategic importance. The Minister will also address the capabilities and role of the Foreign Service in pursuit of Latvia’s economic interests, which is also a security issue. In the geopolitical climate of the moment, it is critical to build and strengthen relationships with like-minded partners around the world.
The Minister of Transport, Kaspars Briškens, will outline the transformation and re-orientation of Latvia’s transport sector to the West – long-term challenges, export competitiveness, military mobility, and international cooperation. The Minister of Climate and Energy, Kaspars Melnis, will brief the Honorary Consuls on the national strategy for climate and energy, the development of wind projects in Latvia and other topics of current relevance for the sector.
At the Saeima (the Latvian Parliament), the Honorary Consuls will have a meeting with the Speaker of the Saeima, Daiga Mieriņa, who will inform the visitors about priorities on the parliamentary agenda related to strengthening national security and promoting economic growth. In a meeting with the Honorary Consuls, Daiga Mieriņa seeks to strengthen their cooperation with the Saeima and discuss the efforts of Honorary Consuls to attract investments and support Latvian exporters. Members of the Saeima Presidium and the chairpersons of standing committees will also participate in the conversation with the Honorary Consuls.
The President of Latvia, Edgars Rinkēvičs, will welcome the Honorary Consuls to Riga Castle.
On 2 July, the participants are travelling to Jūrmala, where the Baltic Beach Hotel & SPA will host a networking event between the Honorary Consuls and Latvian business people. The gathering will be opened by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže, and the Minister of Economy, Viktors Valainis.
On their way back, the Honorary Consuls will have the opportunity to visit SAF Tehnika JSC manufacturing facility in Riga.
On 3 July, the Honorary Consuls are going to the cities of Valmiera and Cēsis. In Valmiera, the visitors will meet with the officials of the local government and visit a recently-unveiled exhibition, “De Woldemer”, in the Valmiera Museum. They will also have the opportunity to buy crafts items and products from local manufacturers. In Cēsis, the Honorary Consuls will be welcomed by Jānis Rozenbergs, Chairman of Cēsis Municipality Council, and then become acquainted with the work of the Space Education Centre.