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On 28 and 29 September 2026, in Toronto, Canada, Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dace Melbārde represented Latvia at the conference “Pathways to Peace: Second International Conference on Returning Ukrainian Children, Detained Civilians, and Prisoners of War”.
The conference focused on the humanitarian consequences of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, including the unlawful deportation and forcible transfer of Ukrainian children, the unlawful detention of civilians and violations of international humanitarian law against Ukrainian prisoners of war. Participants discussed practical solutions for the safe return, rehabilitation and reintegration of these individuals, as well as ways to strengthen international cooperation.
At the conference, Dace Melbārde delivered Latvia’s national statement, emphasising:
“We stress the urgent need to complete the exchange of prisoners of war, secure the release of all unlawfully detained civilians and ensure the safe return of all interned persons and civilians who have been forcibly transferred or unlawfully deported, including thousands of Ukrainian children. Our response must be collective, principled and unwavering. We call on all countries to impose targeted sanctions against those responsible for these crimes. Silence and inaction only embolden the perpetrators.”
The Parliamentary Secretary also confirmed that Latvia, as a member of the UN Security Council, will continue to keep the issue of Russia’s crimes against the Ukrainian people high on the international agenda.
Dace Melbārde provided an update on Latvia’s practical support for Ukraine, including support for the activities of the Save Ukraine organisation, through which 15 Ukrainian children have been safely evacuated this year from Ukrainian territories temporarily occupied by Russia. Latvia also continues to support the documentation of Russian war crimes, as well as the restoration of education and other essential services in Ukraine.
Dace Melbārde participated in a thematic working group on ensuring humanitarian access, the safe return and reintegration of Ukrainian prisoners of war, and served as the working group’s rapporteur. The discussions emphasised the need to ensure unimpeded access for international organisations to prisoners of war, strengthen mechanisms for locating persons and exchanging information, facilitate the return of prisoners of war and expand international support for their rehabilitation and reintegration, while maintaining multilateral pressure on Russia and ensuring accountability for violations of international humanitarian law.
“Bringing prisoners of war home is only the first step on the long and difficult path to recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration into society. Latvia knows from its own practical experience how crucial timely and specialised assistance is. That is why we must not only continue our efforts to secure the return of Ukrainian prisoners of war, but also strengthen Ukraine’s capacity to provide them with long-term support.”
The conference was organised by Canada, Ukraine, and Norway. It was attended by officials from approximately 60 countries and 10 international organisations. Canada, together with Ukraine, leads the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children and supports the search for, return, rehabilitation and reintegration of children; Latvia is also participating in this effort.
In conclusion, a joint statement was adopted expressing a commitment to intensify international pressure and practical cooperation to secure the return of Ukrainian children, unlawfully detained civilians and prisoners of war, while ensuring they receive support upon their return.
In addition to participating in the conference, the Parliamentary Secretary met with Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation and the Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs to Ukraine, to discuss opportunities for cooperation in support of Ukraine; she also met with Stanislav Raščan, State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia, with whom she discussed Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, cooperation within NATO and current bilateral issues; the Parliamentary Secretary also met with representatives of the Latvian diaspora in Canada to discuss current events in Latvian and global politics, relations between Latvia and Canada, and the importance of technological development and quality education for future development.