On 10 July 2025, the National Library of Latvia will host the ninth World Latvian Economics and Innovations Forum (WLEIF 2025). Since 2013, the Forum has evolved into a major platform for bringing together businesses representing the Latvian diaspora. The objective of WLEIF is to promote Latvia’s economic growth, to strengthen cooperation between professionals working in different business sectors in Latvia and worldwide, to promote attraction of innovation, financial and knowledge capital to Latvia, and to strengthen the belonging to Latvia among Latvians living outside the country.
In the format of discussions and presentations, the participants of this year’s forum will focus on sectors important to the economic development of Latvia, including security and defence, energy, technology, medicine, talent development, and others. Those present will have the opportunity to explore developments in those fields, the innovations created, and the future perspective.
Opening remarks for the conference will be delivered by the President of Latvia Edgars Rinkēvičs, and the President of the World Federation of Free Latvians (WFFL/PBLA) Pēteris Blumbergs.
At the opening panel, the audience will be addressed by Prime Minister Evika Siliņa, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs Baiba Braže.
Under the influence of modern globalisation, maintaining ties with the Latvian community abroad is one of the elements of sustainability of the Latvian state. Cooperation and support for the diaspora is an important line of action for the entire government.
WLEIF is one of the most prominent diaspora events supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the aim of building synergies with the diaspora businesses and creating new or strengthening the existing cooperation formats.
The Forum will feature high-level speakers from the public and private sectors, including the Minister of Defence Andris Sprūds, the Minister of Economics Viktors Valainis, the President of the Bank of Latvia Mārtiņš Kazāks, the Director of the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia Ieva Jāgere, the Director of Riga Investment and Tourism Agency Fredis Bikovs, the Director of the State Employment Agency Evita Simsone, CEO of AMMUNITY Beāte Krauze-Čebotare, CEO at MADARA Cosmetics Gunta Šulte, the Regional Public Policy Lead for Baltics at Meta Vitnija Saldava, CEO of IONCOR Roberts Ābele, Deloitte Consulting AI Technology Fellow Edgars Kalns, the Head of Knowledge, Skills and Learning at Google.org EMEA Liza Ateh, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Andžejs Viļumsons, the Honorary Consul for the Republic of Latvia in Northern California Laura Ramane, the Chairman of the Board of the Latvian National Opera and Ballet Sandis Voldiņš, and many others.
In conclusion of the Forum, the success story of the Flow animated movie from a business perspective will be shared by its producer Matīss Kaža.
“At a time when innovation, economic resilience, and national security are more important than ever, the World Latvian Economics and Innovations Forum 2025 brings together top stakeholders from the private and public sectors to tackle these challenges and pursue opportunities. This is where partnerships take shape and the future of Latvia is discussed at the highest level. We at the WFFL are proud to continue this tradition,” Pēteris Blumbergs said.
On participation in the World Latvian Economics and Innovations Forum 2025
WLEIF 2025 will take place in an in-person format from 9.00 to 17.00 on 10 July 2025 at the National Library of Latvia. Working languages – English and Latvian. See a detailed agenda and a link to registration on the Forum website at wleif.lv. Attendance is free of charge.
WLEIF is organized by the World Federation of Free Latvians and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in cooperation with ERDA Group and the American Chamber of Commerce. Financial support is also provided by the Latvian Investment and Development Agency, the State Employment Agency, and the Riga City Council.
For WLEIF updates, see WFFL/PBLA social media accounts:
- Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pblalv/;
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/pbla.lv/;
- LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/pblalv,
- X - https://twitter.com/PBLA_Latvija.
Contacts for further information:
- Beta Konošonoka
beta.konosonoka@erda.lv
+371 28600097 - Raits Eglītis
raits.eglitis@pbla.lv
+371 25551894