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On 16-17 December 2025, Viktors Makarovs, Special Envoy on Digital Issues of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, participated in the UN General Assembly World Summit on the Information Society High-Level Meeting on the review of the outcomes (WSIS+20 Review), which concluded with Member States approving the WSIS+20 Review outcome document. During the debate, Viktors Makarovs emphasised the need to ensure that the internet develops as an open, free, global, interoperable, reliable and secure resource that is accessible and beneficial to all. It is essential to strengthen an effective, reliable and inclusive governance model for all stakeholders by making the Internet Governance Forum permanent. It is also important to establish closer links between the World Summit on the Information Society processes, the Global Digital Compact and the sustainable development goals.
Viktors Makarovs also pointed out that it is important for digital transformation to be inclusive, people-centred, and based on human rights, and to promote cooperation among all stakeholders. The outcome documents of the World Summit on the Information Society are important in efforts to reduce the global digital divide and ensure that all societies benefit from technological progress. The representative of the MFA emphasised the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on information integrity, including the responsibility of the private sector, as well as the opportunity to demonstrate leadership in this field, highlighting the new Tilde open source AI model for European languages as an example. Viktors Makarovs also pointed out Latvia’s support for strengthening digital skills and digital literacy in Ukraine, Africa, and Central Asia through development cooperation initiatives.
Participating in a side event on information integrity in the age of artificial intelligence, Viktors Makarovs highlighted the need for dialogue with AI companies on risk and the prevention of malicious use of AI. He also stressed the urgent need to promote public awareness of AI and the ability to use it safely and critically.
Background information:
The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) seeks to establish a platform for addressing information and communication technology issues in a structured and inclusive way across national, regional and international levels. The review process concluded at the UN General Assembly on 16-17 December 2025.
The event was organised as part of the public diplomatic programme to support the implementation of Latvia’s priorities during its membership in the UN Security Council and to promote Latvia’s recognition. On 3 June 2025, Latvia was elected to the UN Security Council for the term from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2027. Serving as a non-permanent member of the Security Council will be an important platform for promoting Latvia’s foreign policy interests. The primary objective of Latvia’s membership is to safeguard and strengthen an international environment that supports the security of Latvia while using and enhancing the opportunities provided by multilateral diplomacy.