Press conference Baiba Braže un Dennis Francis

From 4 to 6 July 2024, the President of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, diplomat of Trinidad and Tobago, Dennis Francis, is coming to Latvia for a working visit. During his stay, the President of the UN General Assembly will have meetings with Prime Minister Evika Siliņa, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže, and the Minister of Climate and Energy, Kaspars Melnis. The UN dignitary is also to familiarise himself with the work of the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre in the field of climate change policy and participate in a discussion on strategic communications organized by the State Chancellery.

The officials will exchange views on current UN issues and global geopolitical challenges, including the security situation in the region and the international impact of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, topics related to sustainable development, and UN structural reform. In their conversation, Baiba Braže and Dennis Francis will be joined by representatives of Latvian UN Youth Delegate Programme, who actively contribute to the engagement of Latvian youth in UN debate and processes.

On Friday, 5 July, at 19.4521.00, Baiba Braže and Dennis Francis are to take part in a discussion titled “Nothing about us without us. The role of small countries in the UN” of the LAMPA Conversation Festival on the DOTS stage in the Cēsis Castle park.

Latvia’s candidacy for the UN Security Council (2026–2027)

A visit from the official of the UN General Assembly provides Latvia with the opportunity to showcase its expertise and priorities in international organisations as it runs as a candidate in the 2025 election for membership of the UN Security Council in 2026–2027.

Candidacy to the UNSC is one of the long-term objectives of Latvia’s foreign policy, which is also set out in the National Development Plan of Latvia for 2021-2027. Elections are to be held in June 2025 in New York, and for Latvia to be elected, it needs to win support from two thirds of UN Member States.

See more on the Foreign Ministry’s website at: Latvia’s candidacy to the United Nations Security Council (2026–2027).

Events for the media on 5 July!

Photo and video opportunities

  • At 9.00 – the Foreign Minister Baiba Braže welcomes Dennis Francis, President of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, to the Foreign Ministry (K. Valdemāra iela 3, lobby on the 1st floor). Signing the Foreign Ministry’s Guest Book.

  • At 9.10 – the meeting between the officials, with participation of representatives from the Latvian UN Youth Delegate Programme.

  • At 9.4010.00 – a joint press conference by Baiba Braže and Dennis Francis.

    • Press Conference Hall.

    • Languages: Latvian–English

    • Follow the press conference on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry’s social media accounts.

    • Media representatives are requested to apply by 15.00 on 4 July via an e-mail to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: media@mfa.gov.lv.

  • At 12.00 – a meeting between the Prime Minister Evika Siliņa and Dennis Francis, President of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly (Cabinet of Ministers, Brīvības bulv. 36).

    • To obtain a compulsory special accreditation for a photo/video coverage of the event, members of the media must fill out an application on the Cabinet website.

  • At 17.00 – a meeting between the Minister of Climate and Energy, Kaspars Melnis, and Dennis Francis, President of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, in Cēsis (Cēsis District Minicipality, Raunas iela 4).

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NB! Members of the media are requested to arrive on time – 20 minutes before the event.