Latvia to Lead UN Security Council for the First Time: Focus on Supporting Ukraine and Combating Propaganda

Starting November 1, 2026, Latvia will assume the presidency of the UN Security Council for the first time in its history. For one month, the country will lead all official and unofficial meetings of the United Nations' key structure, setting the agenda and the format of the body's work. As Riga emphasized, this event will be not only a diplomatic achievement but also a chance to consolidate the country's position on the international stage.

Historical Presidency and International Visibility

Latvia's Permanent Representative to the UN, Sanita Pavļuta-Deslandes, noted that the presidency will allow the country not only to raise its own international profile but also to demonstrate a responsible position in resolving global security issues. According to her, Riga intends to actively use the format of signature meetings to promote its own priorities and draw the world community's attention to topics that Latvia considers critically important.

Main Priorities: Ukraine and Countering Propaganda

The central focus of Latvia's work in the Security Council will be strengthening its own security through active support for Ukraine and preventing the normalization of Russian aggression. The country intends to ensure that Russia's war against Ukraine remains among the top items on the UN Security Council agenda. Riga places special emphasis on refuting Russian propaganda and explaining the global consequences of Moscow's actions to the international community.

16 Official Meetings in a Year

According to the Latvian side, this year alone, at the initiative of Latvia and its European allies, 16 official meetings dedicated to the situation in Ukraine have been held in the Security Council. In addition to formal events, the country regularly organizes informal briefings for representatives of other states on current global conflicts, which helps build dialogue and coordinate positions outside the official agenda.

Context: Energy Infrastructure and the Black Sea

As additional context, the materials note that the UN Commission recognized Russian military strikes against Ukraine's energy infrastructure as war crimes, naming Vladimir Putin as the main perpetrator of these attacks. Concurrently, Turkey and the UN are continuing preparations for negotiations between Ukraine and Russia aimed at achieving a truce in the Black Sea and ensuring the protection of grain ships, which is also among the topics Latvia intends to promote during its presidency.