The Riga TechGirls association in partnership with the Permanent Mission of Latvia to the United Nations participated in the 69th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women – they held a design thinking workshop and took part in a thematic discussion on women’s empowerment in the fields of technologies and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).
This year’s CSW session, dedicated to the thirtieth anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, brought together members of governments, non-governmental organizations and international institutions to take stock of progress on gender equality and promote women’s involvement in the digital economy and innovation.
On 18 March 2025 in New York, Latvia together with Uzbekistan and Egypt organised a thematic discussion, “Bridging the Digital Gap by Empowering Women in STEM/Tech Fields”, with participation of the Ambassador of Latvia to the UN, Sanita Pavļuta-Deslandes, experts from Riga TechGirls, Anna Andersone and Pauls Siliņš, the Ambassador of Uzbekistan to the UN, Ulugʻbek Lapasov, and the Deputy Permanent Representative of Egypt, Heba Mostafa Mostafa Rizk. The discussion highlighted best practice examples and strategies enhancing women’s participation in the tech field and bridging the digital gap on a global scale.
On 19 March, Riga TechGirls held a design thinking workshop, which brought together female diplomats from the permanent missions of various countries to the UN, and representatives from the non-governmental sector. At the event, the participants gained in-depth insights into creative methods of problem solving in diplomacy and politics to more effectively apply innovative solutions to today’s global challenges.
At the UN Commission on the Status of Women, Latvia underscored its experience in the field of gender equality, innovation and technology development by demonstrating how digital skills can significantly contribute to the economic and social empowerment of women. Riga TechGirls, as the trailblazer Latvian organization in educating of women in the tech field, continues its mission – to develop digital skills and build an inclusive society.
The event 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 United Nations 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, as well as enabling Latvia to expand the scale of its international cooperation, thereby contributing to world peace and resilience.
Background information
- The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action is a global programme for gender equality and women's empowerment. It sets out strategic goals and actions in 12 critical areas, including education, health care, political participation and economic empowerment, to advance women's rights worldwide.
- Election to the UNSC will take place in New York this coming June. To secure a seat, Latvia must receive two-thirds of votes from UN members.
- Latvia’s candidacy to the United Nations Security Council (2026–2027)
