On Monday 11 March, Prime Minister Evika Siliņa addressed the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, where she highlighted the importance of gender equality and condemned sexual violence against Ukrainian women perpetrated by Russia. E. Siliņa attended the 68th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women, the world's largest gender equality forum, and also met with UN Secretary-General António Guterres within the framework of her working visit.
In her address to the UN, the Prime Minister underlined Latvia's commitment to promoting gender equality and fighting poverty at a time of new conflicts and climate change, which also have a negative impact on the situation of women. E. Siliņa stated that Latvia was promoting accessible education and reducing gender stereotypes in order to increase women's opportunities to become future leaders and realise their dreams in professional fields, thereby contributing more effectively to society as a whole. The Prime Minister referred to Latvia's decision to ratify the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence, thus underlining its commitment to address gender-based violence.
The Prime Minister emphasized, "Latvia, as a candidate for the 2026-2027 UN Security Council elections, emphasises the need to address conflict-related sexual violence. We are committed to further support women in Ukraine suffering from the war and sexual violence perpetrated by Russia. Let us not remain silent in the face of injustice and inequality. Let us show the world that we can make a difference – for ourselves and for our future generations!"
The Prime Minister of Latvia also met with UN Secretary-General A. Guterres. During the meeting, E. Siliņa emphasised the need to shed the light at international level on Russia's crimes in Ukraine, including the abduction of children, to maintain pressure on Russia and stand up for a rules-based international order. The officials also addressed the issues of gender equality, the ratification of the Istanbul Convention by Latvia and Latvia's candidacy for the UN Security Council elections.
The Prime Minister also met with Thulisile Dladla, Deputy Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Eswatini and Vo Thi Anh Xuan, Vice President of Vietnam. The officials discussed the ways to strengthen bilateral relations, cooperation in international formats and the UN Security Council elections. The Prime Minister also held a meeting with World Bank Managing Director for Operations Anna Bjerde and participated in a Nordic-Baltic Expert Group’s discussion on gender-based violence and economic empowerment of women,
The Prime Minister's address is available on the website of the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Latvia to the United Nations.
