From 24 to 25 August 2026, the Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dace Melbārde, will pay a working visit to New York, US, to participate in high-level meetings of the UN Security Council during the Danish presidency.
On 24 August, Ukraine’s Independence Day, Dace Melbārde will participate in a high-level meeting of the UN Security Council on the situation in Ukraine and deliver Latvia’s national statement. Holding the meeting on Ukraine’s Independence Day underscores the international community’s support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity as it continues to defend itself against Russia’s aggression. The five European member states of the Security Council – Denmark, France, Greece, Latvia and the United Kingdom, collectively known as the E5 – requested that the meeting be convened. The meeting is scheduled to be chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, Lars Løkke Rasmussen.
In Latvia’s national statement, Dace Melbārde will emphasise the need to continue providing comprehensive international support to Ukraine, intensify pressure on Russia, and to ensure that Russia is held accountable for the crime of aggression and other violations of international law.
The meeting can be watched live on UN Web TV. It will begin at 10.00 p.m. Latvian time on 24 August.
The Parliamentary Secretary will also participate in a high-level meeting of the UN Security Council on the situation in Sudan. The meeting will focus on the security and humanitarian crisis resulting from the prolonged conflict, including the protection of civilians and the international community’s efforts to promote a political solution to the conflict.
The meeting can be watched live on UN Web TV. It will begin at 5.00 p.m. Latvian time on 24 August.
Dace Melbārde will also participate in the high-level open debate organised by the Danish Presidency of the UN Security Council, titled “Food Under Fire: The Security Council’s Role in Mitigating Global and Local Food Crises”. During the debate, she will deliver Latvia’s national statement, emphasising the impact of armed conflicts on food security, the need to protect civilians, and the importance of ensuring compliance with international humanitarian law. Special attention will also be given to the fact that, in many parts of the world, food insecurity is exacerbated by armed conflicts and by the deliberate use of food and food supplies as a tool of pressure.
The meeting can be watched live on UN Web TV. It will begin at 5.00 p.m. Latvian time on 25 August.
During her working visit, Dace Melbārde is also scheduled to hold bilateral meetings, including with the Denmark's Minister of Foreign Affairs, as well as with the permanent representatives to the UN of several UN Security Council members and other UN member states. The meetings are expected to focus on current issues on the UN Security Council’s agenda.