Latvia is a strong advocate of the Agenda 2030 on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As a member of the UN Economic and Social Affairs Council (ECOSOC), Latvia promotes the need to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and highlights the sustainable development related issues such as climate action and digital cooperation. Latvia presented the first voluntary national review on its SDGs achievements at the 2018 UN high-level political forum on sustainable development. Latvia is a member of the UN Group of Friends of Voluntary National Reviews.
At national level, sustainable development actions are integral part of Latvia’s National Development Plan 2021-2027. More information available at the website of the Cross-Sectoral Coordination Centre of the Republic of Latvia.
By implementing its development cooperation policy Latvia contributes to sustainable development in partner countries. Promotion of good governance, gender equality, the mitigation of the consequences of climate change, quality education, digitalisation and business development are among focus areas. More information on Latvia’s development cooperation policy available here.
The climate change is among the most urgent challenges of our time. It is also one of the main threats to achieving SDG’s. Latvia is committed to the goals of the Paris Agreement. More information on Latvia’s climate policy framework available on the website of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development here.
Latvia has been promoting digital inclusion and the use of new technologies for sustainable development at international fora, including during its membership to the UN ECOSOC. In May 2021, Latvia co-chaired the UN Multi-stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the SDGs (STI Forum). The Forum is a key component of the UN Technology Facilitation Mechanism established in the ECOSOC framework in 2015 upon the launch of 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The forum is mandated to facilitate discussions on science, technology and innovation based on a multi-stakeholder collaboration between Member States, United Nations entities, civil society, the private sector, the scientific community, and other stakeholders.
Latvian scientist Tālis Juhna, Vice-Rector of Riga Technical University, was appointed to the UN high-level group supporting the Technology Facilitation Mechanism in 2021. Group consists of 10 high level experts with the main task to advise and promote discussion on the ways of harnessing science, technology and innovation to accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals. The decision by the UN Secretary-General is a testament to the outstanding professional qualities of Latvia’s experts and a positive evaluation of the ability of the Latvian academic community to contribute to the advancement of sustainable development.
Since 2007, Latvia has been a member of the UN Commission on Science and Technology for Development (UN CSTD). Latvia is also a member of the UN group of friends on digital issues, UN group of friends on cyber security and e-governance, and OECD group of friends on digital cooperation.