Baiba Braže

Baiba Braže

Minister of Foreign Affairs
+371 67016201
minsek [at] mfa.gov.lv

Date of birth: 4 December 1966
Place of birth: Riga, Latvia
Citizenship: Republic of Latvia

  • Education

    • 2008–2010 Southeast Asian Studies, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand    
    • 2000–2002 University of Latvia, Faculty of Social Sciences, Master’s degree of Social Sciences in Communication
    • 1992–1993 University of Latvia, Faculty of History and Philosophy, Master’s programme in Political Science (incomplete)
    • 1985–1990 Latvian State University, Faculty of Law, Master’s degree in Law

  • Complementary Education

    • 2024 Basic training, the Latvian National Guard (Latvijas Zemessardze)
    • 2014 Generals, Flag Officers and Ambassadors Course, NATO Defence College in Rome
    • 2014 Training course by the School of Public Administration and the European Institute of Public Administration in preparation for Latvia’s presidency of the Council of the EU
    • 1995 International Protection of Human Rights course, Faculty of Law, Institute for Human Rights, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
    • 1994 Transnational Law and Legal Institutions course, Salzburg, Austria
    • 1993 International Public Law, University of Groningen, the Netherlands

  • Professional Experience

  • Since 19 April 2024 – Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia
  • 21.03.2025 Operator at the Communication Squad of the 13th Infantry Battalion Headquarters and Combat Support Company, the Latvian National Guard (OR-2; 06GB)   
  • 2023–2024 Ambassador at Large, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia (MFA)
  • 2020–2023 NATO Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy
  • 2016–2020  Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Latvia to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
  • 2016 Ambassador-Head of Directorate, Communications Directorate, MFA
  • 2015–2016 Non-resident Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Indonesia
  • 2011–2016 Ambassador-Head of Directorate, Directorate of Security Policy and International Organisations, MFA
  • 2008–2008 Ambassador-at-Large, Third Political Directorate, MFA
  • 2003–2008 Permanent Representative to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons
  • 2003–2008 Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Latvia to the Kingdom of the Netherlands
  • 1999–2003 Director of First Political Department (Europe), MFA
  • 1998–1999 Foreign Affairs Advisor to the Prime Minister, State Chancellery
  • 1998–1998 Counsellor at Task Force for Preparation of EU Accession Negotiations, MFA
  • 1996–1998 First Secretary, Permanent Mission of the Republic of Latvia to the United Nations in New York
  • 1995–1996 Head of Human Rights Policy Division, MFA
  • 1994–1995 Senior Desk Officer, International Political Organisations Division, MFA
  • 1993–1994 Senior Desk Officer, International Law Department, MFA
  • 1990–1993 Lawyer, consultant, international cooperation coordinator, senior desk officer at the Latvian Youth Progress Union (LJPS)
  • 1989–1990 Trainee, Latvian SSR Customs Authority
  • 1988–1990 Coordinator for Popular Front of Latvia, Faculty of Law, University of Latvia

  • Foreign Languages

    • English, Russian – advanced
    • Dutch – upper intermediate
    • French, Thai – intermediate

  • Honours and Awards

    • 2024 Grand Commander of the Order of Honour, Hellenic Republic
    • 2018 Certificate of Recognition of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Latvia
    • 2015 Certificate of Recognition of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia
    • 2015 Certificate of Appreciation by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia 
    • 2014 Recognition award “For Combatting Discrimination in Society”, the Society Integration foundation of Latvia
    • 2012 Certificate of Recognition of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia
    • 2008 Cross of Recognition, Second Class, Republic of Latvia
    • 2006 Order of Orange-Nassau, Grand Officer, the Netherlands
    • 2003 Order of Prince Henry, Grand Officer, Portugal
    • 2001 National Order of the Legion of Honour, Officer, France

  • Other engagements

    • Since 17.04.2024, service on the Latvian National Guard
    • Since 20.04.2024, member of Assembly of Latvian National Commission for UNESCO
    • Vice President of Latvian National Commission for UNESCO
    • Founder of Sievietes Drošībai [Women for Security] association, Member of the Board until 20.04.2024
    • Founder of Dzemdību Nama Fonds [Maternity Hospital Foundation] charity
    • Senior member of Spīdola Women Students Corps
    • 2023–20.04.2024, Councillor of Social Sciences Faculty, Riga Stradiņš University

16 July 2025