Flickr
On 24 July 2026, at the Latvian National Museum of History, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže, opened the national conference “When Climate Change Is No Longer a Joke”, organised by the UN Youth Delegate Programme in Latvia. Held for the seventh time, the conference brought together more than 100 young people from Latvia and industry experts to discuss the challenges posed by climate change, its impact on security, and the role of young people in developing global solutions.
In her opening remarks at the conference, the Minister of Foreign Affairs emphasised that climate change is an issue that requires the joint involvement of government institutions, municipalities, businesses, scientists and the wider public. The Minister noted that climate change is increasingly recognised as a security issue as well, and within the UN and NATO it is viewed as a threat multiplier that affects both European and global security, food security and energy security. At the same time, she emphasised that international and national instruments are already available to address climate challenges, and that their implementation requires the involvement of everyone. The Minister also emphasised that the transition to a climate-neutral and sustainable economy is not only a challenge but also a significant opportunity for the private sector to develop innovations, create new products and services and strengthen business competitiveness in international markets.
“Climate change is not the responsibility of a single sector or institution. Only by working together – government, scientists, entrepreneurs and the public – can we find sustainable solutions,” the Minister of Foreign Affairs stated at the opening of the UN Youth Delegate Program’s national conference.
Later in the conference, the young people participated in thematic working groups held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as at the embassies of Denmark, Ireland and Ukraine in Riga. The discussions addressed the challenges posed by climate change, including the role of education in alleviating climate anxiety, issues of gender equality and youth engagement in climate action, as well as solutions for climate change mitigation and adaptation.
In working groups, the young people drafted resolutions on the challenges posed by climate change. The conclusions and proposals set out in the resolutions will be presented to Latvia’s highest-ranking officials and will represent the views of Latvian youth at the UN General Assembly in New York.
Background information
The UN Youth Delegate Programme has been operating in Latvia since 2019. The programme is overseen by the Ministry of Education and Science, while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs provides support for its implementation. The activities organised within the programme promote awareness among young people and the public about the work of the UN and the Sustainable Development Goals, fostering an understanding of their significance and impact on daily life in Latvia.
The conference is funded from the state budget under the Ministry of Education and Science’s national youth policy programme for 2025–2026. The event is co-funded by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation.