On Thursday, the 9th of November, in New York, USA, Latvia submitted its application for a temporary seat on the UN Security Council, as reported by the Foreign Affairs Council.
During the pre-election campaign’s launch event at the Ford Foundation Centre, Latvia’s President Edgars Rinkēvičs outlined in his speech to the representatives of the United Nations Latvia’s priorities in the UN Security Council – the rule of law and democracy, the promotion of women’s rights and opportunities, and solutions for security, sustainability and development.
Latvia’s membership in the UN Security Council “will provide the opportunity to defend the international system based on the rule of law and democratic values, to help like-minded countries, as well as to highlight issues relevant to the security of Latvia and the Baltic region,” stressed the Latvian side.
The purpose of the pre-election campaign is ensuring Latvia’s successful election to the UN Security Council for a period between 2026 and 2027.
This will be Latvia’s first attempt at such a candidacy. For Latvia to be elected, the country needs support from at least two-thirds of UN member states or 129 votes. To receive support, Latvia needs an international pre-election promotion campaign, which includes visits to UN member states and meetings with representatives. It is also requires increasing Latvia’s international visibility.
According to the ministry, UN Security Council membership would be one of the biggest tools for implementing Latvia’s foreign policy interests. It would also help expand Latvia’s international cooperation. This would provide Latvia the opportunity to contribute to world peace.
Latvia became a fully-fledged member of the UN on the 17th of September 1991. Since then a great deal of work has been put into developing the country’s society. Latvia went from a recipient of aid to a provider of aid and now actively participates in various international processes, notes the ministry.
Latvia’s application to become a member of the UN Security Council proves the country’s readiness to take on additional responsibility for international processes and actively defend the rule of law and human rights, as well as modernisation of the UN system. Latvia supports greater transparency, efficiency and accountability of the UN Security Council. Latvia already actively supports maintaining topics like the territorial integrity of Ukraine, human rights violations in Belarus, cybersecurity and countering disinformation, peacekeeping, promotion of women’s rights and opportunities, climate change and many more on the UN table.
In April 2023 the Cabinet of Ministers approved the campaign’s thematic directions developed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs together with representatives of the non-governmental and private sector.
Youth choir “Kamēr…” performed at the opening event in New York.
The UN Security Council elections are scheduled to take place in June 2025, during the UN General Assembly’s 79th session in New York.
Also read: OPINION | Latvia needs a sort of “earthquake” – no permit, no seat in city council!
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