Edgars Rinkēvičs, President of Latvia, said his country will begin its first term in the Security Council next year with a strong sense of duty to serve with “integrity, transparency and with a clear commitment to the principles of the United Nations”.  Latvia’s three priorities in the Council are: protecting the rules-based international order; advocating for the women, peace and security agenda; and finding solutions to emerging security threats, such as climate change and the safety of artificial intelligence (AI).  “The world is in disarray.  Before our eyes we see blatant attempts to weaken the rules-based international order rooted in the United Nations Charter,” he said.

Emphasizing that the emerging new world order is not a better one, he added:  “There is an attempt to create the world where the might makes right.”  The Council’s permanent members undertook to maintain international peace and security.  Yet, “Russia wants a world where brute force prevails over international law.  To get what it wants, Russia is willing to inflict destruction and misery on others,” he said. “Unfortunately, Russia has partners in crime — Iran and North Korea.”  Meanwhile, Ukraine is bravely fighting back as it faces an existential threat to its people, its land and its freedom.  “Ukraine is fighting for all of us; for the rules-based international order; for independence and sovereignty; for territorial integrity.”

Latvia stands with Ukraine and advocates for its sovereignty and territorial integrity.  Latvia will use its Council seat to help achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.  “It is our collective duty to uphold the principles of the United Nations Charter,” he said, “especially, when a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council openly violates them.”  International cooperation must be strengthened to tackle the escalating crisis in Gaza and dire humanitarian situations in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  “We will not look on helplessly as crises unfold.”  As a Council member, Latvia will call on the international community to take collective action and facilitate access to humanitarian aid.

Peace, security and stability are being threatened by climate change, cyberattacks, hybrid attacks and the misuse of AI.  “Our modern world is connected in ways that most of us can’t imagine,” he said, citing damage to undersea cables, GPS jamming, arson and the Russian shadow fleet.  While not perfect, the United Nations is the only truly global organization.  It is the primary architect of international law and protector of a rules-based international order.  After 80 years, it must evolve to remain relevant and Lativa supports the UN80 initiative.  “Let us protect the rules-based international order and the United Nations Charter,” he said.  “We are better together.”