From 27 to 29 April 2026, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Andžejs Viļumsons, was on a working visit to New York, United States, where he participated in the 11th Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and in UN Security Council meetings on maritime security and the Middle East. During the visit, the State Secretary met with the UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, as well as officials from Ukraine, Vietnam and Singapore and ambassadors from several UN Security Council members and other UN Member States.
At the NPT Review Conference, the State Secretary delivered Latvia’s national statement, supporting the strengthening of the treaty’s credibility and integrity and strongly condemning Russia’s aggressive nuclear rhetoric. Russia’s irresponsible behaviour by ignoring its obligations in the areas of arms control and non-proliferation significantly undermines the norms that reduce the possibility of nuclear war. The State Secretary emphasised the importance of risk reduction and promoting transparency to move towards the gradual disarmament of nuclear weapons.
Andžejs Viļumsons also represented Latvia at the UN Security Council open debates on maritime security and the Middle East. The State Secretary emphasised that safe and open sea lanes are essential to the global economy, and that deliberate disruptions by states pose serious risks to international security, supply chains, and the environment, condemning Iran’s actions in the Strait of Hormuz. He highlighted the need to strictly adhere to international law, particularly the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, and to strengthen multilateral cooperation to effectively address threats such as sanctions circumvention, “shadow fleet” and sabotage against critical infrastructure. Latvia reaffirmed its commitment to supporting international efforts to ensure free and safe maritime navigation. At the meeting on the Middle East, the State Secretary expressed support for ongoing diplomatic efforts to achieve sustainable peace in the region by mitigating the destabilising influence of Iran and the militant groups it supports.
In a meeting with Rosemary DiCarlo, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, the State Secretary emphasised that, despite current geopolitical challenges, it is important for the UN to remain the cornerstone of a rules-based international order, and for the legitimacy of the international system to be grounded in adherence to the principles of the UN Charter. The officials discussed steps toward securing a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and approaches to the crisis in the Middle East, as well as other priority issues on the UN Security Council’s agenda.
During talks with Oleksandr Mishchenko, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine; Le Thi Thu Hang, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam; and Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim, Minister of State of Singapore, as well as with the Permanent Representatives to the UN from several UN Security Council members and UN Member States, the main focus was on the important role of multilateral cooperation in strengthening a rules-based international order, as well as issues related to bilateral relations, including support for Ukraine and Russian disinformation activities, opportunities for cooperation on consular matters, and candidacies in international organisations. In addition, the State Secretary expressed Latvia’s desire to strengthen ties with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
During the visit, the State Secretary also participated in a high-level panel discussion on the nexus between climate, peace, and security at the Berlin Climate and Security Conference–New York, organised by Germany and the think tank adelphi global. In the discussion, the State Secretary noted that climate change increases risks and affects stability, particularly in fragile contexts, and highlighted Latvia’s contribution to raising awareness of these challenges and fostering understanding of them within the Security Council.
The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) is the cornerstone of the global nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament regime. The essence of the Treaty is embodied in its three pillars: the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons; general and complete nuclear disarmament; and the peaceful use of nuclear energy. To assess progress in the field of nuclear non-proliferation, NPT Review Conferences are held every five years.