From 10 to 11 September 2026, the National History Museum of Latvia will host the largest annual security and foreign policy forum in the Nordic region “The Rīga Conference 2026”. This year, the forum will bring together influential leaders, experts, diplomats, policymakers, and business executives from around the globe. The agenda will center on European economic resilience and building a united front against emerging internal and external challenges.
President of the Republic of Latvia Edgars Rinkēvičs will deliver the opening address, with Minister of the Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia Baiba Braže and Minister of Defence of the Republic of Latvia Raivis Melnis taking part in key panel discussions. The lineup of featured international speakers includes US Ambassador to the European Union Andrew Puzder, NATO Senior Representative in Ukraine Patrick Turner, NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Shekerinska, The Chief of Defence of the Bundeswehr Carsten Breuer, and Executive Director of the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) Juhan Lepassaar. The conference will conclude with closing remarks by Prime Minister of the Republic of Latvia Andris Kulbergs and Chairman of the Board of the Latvian Transatlantic Organisation (LATO) Jānis Karlsbergs.
“This year, the Rīga Conference brings together a record number of like-minded foreign ministers, representatives of NATO and Allied armed forces, leading experts and opinion leaders. Riga is where we can have focused discussions on coordinated and targeted responses to today’s geopolitical challenges. Russia is working with Iran and North Korea, undermining international law and fuelling global food and energy insecurity. Our response cannot be fragmented or come too late. We need to strengthen our defence capabilities, invest in technological superiority, reduce strategic dependencies and remain unwavering in our support for Ukraine. Latvia is not just talking about these challenges – we are taking action and sharing our knowledge and experience with Allies and partners. The Rīga Conference is about turning discussion into concrete decisions and action. Latvia is ready to help drive that action,” says Baiba Braže, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia.
A central focus of the main program will be diplomatic agency in a changing world, examining how foreign policy tools can safeguard democratic interests amid mounting hybrid threats and violations of international law. Experts will also evaluate Europe’s economic resilience and shifting political identity, with key contributions from Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Ireland Helen McEntee and Commissioner for Economy and Productivity at the European Commission Valdis Dombrovskis.
“At a time when the international order is tested not only by overt military aggression in Ukraine, but also by complex hybrid threats and growing economic fragmentation, military readiness alone is no longer enough to guarantee security. The defense capabilities of democratic nations are inextricably linked to our comprehensive resilience and our ability to unite for collective action. This year’s Rīga Conference provides a clear impetus for the transatlantic community to pool resources and expertise, ranging from battlefield lessons learned in Ukraine to boosting Europe’s long-term competitiveness. In doing so, Latvia and the Baltic states are not merely participating in these discussions, but are demonstrating our region’s critical role in shaping global security,” emphasizes Jānis Karlsbergs, Chairman of the Board of the Latvian Transatlantic Organisation.
Special focus will be placed on integrating Ukraine’s battlefield experience and technological innovations into NATO defense planning and force development. Panel discussions on the Alliance’s deterrence capabilities and readiness for future conflicts will feature The Chief of Defence of the Bundeswehr Carsten Breuer, Senior Fellow with the Transatlantic Defense and Security Program at the Center for European Policy Analysis David M. Cattler, and Chief of Defence of the Republic of Latvia Kaspars Pudāns.
“The security environment is changing faster than ever, so we must learn quickly. Ukraine’s experience shows that the ability to rapidly adopt new technologies, work closely with the defence industry and adapt capabilities to real-world threats is crucial. Our task is to absorb these lessons systematically and without delay in order to strengthen deterrence and defence across the Alliance,” emphasizes Raivis Melnis, Minister of Defence of Latvia.
The conference agenda also addresses cognitive warfare, disinformation, and cybersecurity, featuring analysis from Jānis Sārts, Director of the NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence, and Juhan Lepassaar, Executive Director of ENISA. Meanwhile, Russia’s internal transformation and its broader geopolitical fallout will be examined by Alexander Gabuev, Director of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, and Russian opposition politician Vladimir Milov. The program will conclude with a special session on moral stance and memory preservation, highlighting perspectives from Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych.
Ahead of the main program, on September 9, The Rīga Conference Business Forum will take place in Mazā aula at the University of Latvia. The event will bring together business leaders, policymakers, and financial experts to assess the impact of the geopolitical climate on enterprises and discuss access to European financing instruments. Particular attention will focus on cybersecurity, supply chain protection, and dual-use technologies. Discussions will also explore ways public-private partnerships can bolster regional competitiveness.
In parallel with the main agenda, a series of public side events will take place on 10 September from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM in Mazā aula at the University of Latvia. Open to the public with prior registration, these sessions will gather international experts, diplomats, and researchers to examine Latvia–India cooperation in an evolving geopolitical landscape, analyze the role of gender in societal resilience and crisis management, and discuss Black Sea security and critical infrastructure connectivity. To register, participants are invited to email undine@lato.lv.
Since 2006, The Rīga Conference has served as one of Northern Europe’s primary platforms for security and foreign policy dialogue. The forum is expected to gather 400 participants from more than 40 countries. Hosted in a hybrid format, the event will be streamed live at www.rigaconference.lv, broadcast by Latvian and international media partners, and made available on Facebook and YouTube.
The Rīga Conference is jointly organized by the Latvian Transatlantic Organisation in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia and the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Latvia.
The event is supported by KAF, Latvijas Mobilais Telefons, the Embassy of Sweden in Latvia, the International Defense Production Association (SAPRA), Patria Latvia, the International Practitioners Partnership Network (PractNet), Redwire Defense Tech Riga, the University of Latvia, the European Commission Representation in Latvia, Forum Auto, GDELS-Santa Bárbara Sistemas, NATO, Edge Autonomy Riga, Kia Auto, Aged not Aged, law firm WALLESS, the Embassy of Germany in Latvia, the Embassy of Spain in Latvia, the Embassy of Moldova, the Embassy of Israel in Latvia, the Embassy of France in Latvia, Balta, Tilde, MilTech, Deep White, Basavin Winery, Cricova Winery, Hestio, Riga International Airport, the Movastacon Foundation, the Delphi Global Research Center, and the Latvian Institute of International Affairs.
Content and media support is provided by the University of Latvia, Latvian Public Service Media (LSM), TVNET group, LETA, ReTV, DELFI, Latvijas Mobilais Telefons, Ir magazine, Sargs.lv, LA.lv, 360TV, Jauns.lv, Labs of Latvia, the Delphi Global Research Center, In Between Analytical Group, Visegrad Insight, Andelman Unleashed, The Lithuania Tribune, New Eastern Europe, Postimees, Estonian World, Radio Skonto, Finday, The Baltic Times, NewsRoom IN, and Riga Technical University.
Main program #RigaConf2026: https://rigaconference.lv/agenda/
Side events program: https://rigaconference.lv/side-events/
Business Forum program: https://rigaconference.lv/business-forum/
For more information:
Latvian Transatlantic Organization,
Media and Interview Coordinator Annija Bičule; annija@notaged.lv; +371 28452661;
Media Coordinator Jana Jentkus; jana@notaged.lv; +371 +371 29898082.