On 1 January 2026, Latvia begins its work on the UN Security Council. Participation in the UN Security Council is the most direct contribution to strengthening Latvia’s security and sovereignty, as it adopts legally binding decisions for all UN member states. Latvia will work in the UN Security Council to help achieve a just and sustainable peace in Ukraine, the Middle East, and other conflict regions, strengthen global security, protect the international rules-based order in accordance with the UN Charter, and to improve the work of the UN Security Council.
The UN Security Council currently has more than 60 different issues on its agenda, ranging from conflicts and military action in countries or whole regions, to topics such as sanctions and international threats, non-proliferation of arms, humanitarian aid, migration, climate security, resource management, and sustainable development.
Ambassador of Latvia to the UN Sanita Pavļuta-Deslandes:
“Latvia’s participation in the UN Security Council over the next two years is a significant opportunity to speak out more loudly in support of Ukraine, respect for international law, and holding Russia accountable. It is an opportunity for Latvia to effectively act as a major power over the next two years.
Participation in the UN Security Council gives Latvia the opportunity to promote and keep on the agenda issues that are relevant to our region, thereby helping to strengthen Latvia’s security. It is proof that we are capable of addressing international diplomatic issues at the highest level.”
Latvia has identified the following priority areas for its work in the UN Security Council:
- protect the rules-based international order in accordance with the UN Charter, including to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine; continue to highlight Russia’s crimes, counter the aggressor’s disinformation, and ensure accountability for the crimes committed;
- promote gender equality, advocate for the prevention of sexual violence in armed conflicts, and implement the Women, Peace and Security agenda;
- find solutions to current security challenges (hybrid threats, cyber attacks, security risks related to artificial intelligence, disinformation, etc.).
Latvia will also advocate for improvement of the work methods of the UN Security Council.
In 2026, Latvia will be on the UN Security Council alongside five permanent members – the US, the United Kingdom, China, France, and Russia – and nine elected members – Denmark, Greece, Panama, Colombia, Bahrain, Pakistan, Liberia, Somalia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
In November, Latvia will hold the presidency of the UN Security Council. This will give Latvia the opportunity to set the Security Council’s agenda and promote issues that are important to it in accordance with the priorities set by the UN Security Council.
Latvia will conclude its work in the UN Security Council on 31 December 2027.
Additional information
- On 3 June 2025, with broad support from UN member states, Latvia was elected to the UN Security Council (2026-2027) for the first time in history. To be elected to the UN Security Council, it was necessary to obtain the support of two-thirds of UN member states, or 129 out of 193 votes. Latvia received 178 votes out of 188 UN countries that participated in the vote (10 countries abstained).
- Latvia’s participation in the UN Security Council was one of Latvia’s long-term foreign policy goals. Latvia submitted its candidacy for the UN Security Council in 2011.
- Baiba Braže in New York: this is a historic milestone in the history of an independent Latvia – we are elected to the UN Security Council
- The work of the UN Security Council can also be followed on UN Web TV: Security Council | UN Web TV