The annual security and foreign policy forum, The Rīga Conference 2023, closed on October 21. There were 620 delegates present, with almost 100 accredited media on site and online. There were 116 distinguished speakers assembled from more than 47 countries of the world.
The live stream was broadcast across multiple continents, by 30 information partners. The Conference was streamed live in Latvian, English and Russian via Latvian Television, LSM.LV, LMT Straume, TV3, DELFI and TVNET. The conference discussions will be available on YouTube platform www.youtube.com/@LATOlatvia
36 youth chapters of national transatlantic organisations amplified the messages globally.
The organisers will continue to anchor the international impact of the Conference over the coming months in their ongoing work. The main topics were: the role of women in maintaining and restoring peace and security in Europe, national resilience and Europe’s wartime economy, the transatlantic cooperation and exploring the future of the new defence industry, changes in the international order and upholding the vigilance and resilience of Europe.
Krišjānis Kariņš, the Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs, said: “In today’s complex geopolitical environment, democracies around the world need to remain united and work much more closely together. This awareness needs to be expanded worldwide, which is why the idea exchange forums such as the Rīga Conference 2023 are needed.”
Andris Sprūds, the Latvian Minster of Defence, pointed out: “Communication and comprehensive engagement are key to building resilience, which is one of the main goals of NATO. The Rīga Conference, as one of the most prominent events in Northern Europe, contributes greatly to our collective homework of building resilience.”
Žaneta Ozoliņa, Professor of International Relations at the University of Latvia and Vice-Chair of the Latvian Transatlantic Organization reflects: “Every year, in the third week of October, Riga becomes the centre of international security discussions.
This year’s statistics show that interest for The Rīga Conference is only growing. Questions whether such conferences have not exhausted themselves, are proving redundant in the face of dispassionate numbers. The number of participants on the site is 620, nearly two hundred people have registered for the participation online, and journalist accreditation is approaching a record of one hundred.
Why has interest in The Rīga Conference remained steadily persistent for eighteen years? Because the participant’s expertise and analytical ambition, covers a wide range of geopolitical developments, that greatly matter in shaping today’s and tomorrow’s security decisions.
Each political decision is preceded by ideas, arguments and debate. The Rīga Conference is a stage before an important security decision is taken in Riga, Brussels, Washington.”
The Rīga Conference is jointly organised by the Latvian Transatlantic Organisation (LATO), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia and the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Latvia, in close cooperation with the NATO Public Diplomacy Division, the European Commission Representation in Latvia and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. The conference is supported by the Embassy of Canada in Latvia, the Embassy of Israel in Latvia, the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Latvia, the Embassy of the United States of America in Latvia, the Embassy of Georgia in Latvia, the Nordic Council of Ministers’ Office in Latvia, and the Embassy of Turkey in Latvia.
We extend our sincere appreciation to the robust Latvian enterprises that have provided substantial and adept backing to The Rīga Conference, showcasing their proficiency in fortifying national security frameworks, and advancing sustainability initiatives. We wish to emphasise the pivotal roles played by Latvenergo AS and Latvijas Mobilais Telefons in safeguarding national security and express our gratitude to our steadfast and enduring supporters Audi Latvija, BALTA and Riga Airport (RIX), as well as to companies Askaneli Brothers and Flora.
We wish to express our deep appreciation to our esteemed partners, including “Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty” for their invaluable support and expertise. We would also like to extend our gratitude to Latvian Television, Latvian Radio, LSM.LV, LMT Straume, TV3 Group Latvija, RE TV, Rīga TV24, DELFI, TVNET, LETA, IR magazine, Latviesi.com, sargs.lv, “The Lithuania Tribune”, iPress, Spektr, Postimees, Diplomaatia, Včasno, Visegrad Insight, the NATO Association of Canada, the University of Latvia, Riga Graduate School of Law, the Centre for Economics and Foreign Policy Studies (EDAM), the Estonian Atlantic Treaty Association (EATA) and Youth Atlantic Treaty Association (YATA), the Rīga Stradiņš University, Baltic Defence College and the Macdonald-Lauriel Institute.
