On 5 July 2023, more than 80 professionals of Latvian descent employed at more than 80 international organisations in 25 countries are gathering in Riga Castle for the Second Forum of Latvian Professionals Working for International Organisations organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to hold a discussion on Latvia’s development and its foreign policy. The latvian eksperts will be addressed by the President of Latvia Egils Levits, the Director of the State Chancellery, Jānis Citskovskis, and the Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ilze Brands-Kehris.
The aim of the forum is to strengthen a continued informal co-operation between professionals working in Latvia and international organisations, which can provide a valuable contribution to the development of an internationally open and dynamic public administration. Networking among the diaspora professionals is invaluable in the efforts of nation branding; therefore, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as early as in 2007, organised a conference on Latvia’s opportunities in international organisations. In a discussion led by Gunda Reire, views were exchanged on one of the main topics of the event: the place of Latvia in the bodies and agencies of the United Nations. This is currently a priority in Latvia’s foreign policy in the run-up to the 2025 elections for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council.
The first Forum of Latvian Professionals Working for International Organisations organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs took place last year and featured a presentation of a study by the Centre for Diaspora and Migration Research of the University of Latvia, “Involvement of Latvia’s professionals in diaspora diplomacy and the potential of network diplomacy”. It was noted in the findings that professionals working for international organisations could contribute significantly not only to public administration but also to other sectors and areas, for instance, education, research, economy and science. An opinion poll carried out by the Centre indicated the professionals’ interest in future cooperation with public and non-governmental institutions in Latvia.
When organizing this year’s event, the Foreign Ministry heard out the wishes and recommendations of the professionals who suggested that the format of round table discussions should be chosen for the forum to provide more opportunities for the participants themselves to express their opinions in communication with the ministers for defence, foreign affairs, economics, finance, education and science, climate and energy, the parliamentary secretaries and senior officials of line ministries, and the leadership of the State Chancellery.
Latvian experts employed at various international organisations, including the United Nations, the OECD, the World Health Organisation (WHO), the European Parliament, and the European Commission, the Council of the European Union will be present at the forum.
The important event has been organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in cooperation with the President’s Chancery, the State Chancellery, the World Federation of Free Latvians and in partnership with an association, Economic Cooperation and Investments for Latvia (#esiLV).
For the first part of the day, the participants have been invited to join World Latvian Economics and Innovations Forum (WLEIF) at the National Library of Latvia, an event which marks its tenth anniversary this year.
WLEIF2023 is organised by the World Federation of Free Latvians (PBLA) in cooperation with ERDA agency. The financial supporters of the forum are the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia, the Riga City Council, the American Latvian Association, and the State Employment Agency. See the agenda of the conference at www.wleif.lv .
For the attention of the media
- Representatives of the media wishing to cover the Second Forum of Latvian Professionals Working for International Organisations at Riga Castle and not having permanent accreditation for work at Riga Castle are requested to send an application to the email address of prese@president.lv by 12.30 on 5 July specifying their name, surname, the media represented, and the purpose of participation. Arrival at Riga Castle by 13.10, carrying a personal identity document – a passport or an eID card.
- Representatives of the media wishing to cover the presence of the participants of the Second Forum of Latvian Professionals at WLEIF in the National Library of Latvia are requested to contact Beta Konošonoka, t. 28600097.