On 10 April diplomatic relations were established between the Republic of Latvia and the Republic of Kiribati in New York.

Joint Communiqué on establishing diplomatic relations between both countries was signed, on behalf of Latvia, by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative to the UN in New York, Jānis Mažeiks, and, on behalf of Kiribati, by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative to the UN in New York, Makurita Baaro.

The Ambassadors of both countries expressed satisfaction at the establishing of diplomatic relations that will promote cooperation at bilateral level as well as the existing one in international organizations. The Ambassadors discussed the priorities of both countries at the UN, the process of intergovernmental negotiations on the post-2015 development agenda, the effect of climate change on small island states in the Pacific region and measures taken by Kiribati to build the resilience against it, as well as potential areas of further cooperation, including in ICT’s sphere.