An official event in support of the of Latvia’s candidacy campaign for the UN Security Council held in Beijing

On 13 November 2024, the Embassy of Latvia in the People’s Republic of China held an event in support of Latvia’s candidacy campaign for the United Nations Security Council and hosted a festive reception in honour of the 106th anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic of Latvia, attended as guests of honour by the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Andžejs Viļumsons, and the Director-General of the Department of European Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, Ambassador Li Jian.

In his address to those present, the Ambassador of Latvian to the People’s Republic of China, Kārlis Eihenbaums, emphasized that Latvia’s statehood was won, and its sustainability has been possible due to the strength of international law, through consistently maintaining and staunchly safeguarding its relevance. Latvia’s candidacy in the UN Security Council elections in 2025 will provide an opportunity to contribute to the strengthening of international law.

Ambassador Eihenbaums noted the successful development of the Latvian state and the experience of its integration in international organisations such as the United Nations, the OSCE, the European Union and NATO, which have strengthened its independence and security, which unfortunately cannot be enjoyed today by the countries suffering from gross violations of international law and falling victim to unprovoked military aggression.

The Ambassador welcomed the stability of bilateral relations between Latvia and China since the restoration of Latvia’s independence, as well as the importance of the EU-China partnership in achieving international stability and peace, which is of paramount importance in the current geopolitical tensions.

At the invitation from Ambassador Kārlis Eihenbaums and his spouse Ināra Eihenbauma, the festive event was attended by high-ranking Chinese officials, diplomats from foreign embassies and international organizations accredited in Beijing, journalists of local and international media, researchers, leaders of cultural and public organizations. Cooperation partners of the Embassy of Latvia, businessmen from both countries involved in importing and distributing Latvian produce and products in China, as well as members of the business delegation led by the Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Latvian diaspora were widely represented at the reception.

The guests were offered information material and photo exhibition, and video stories about Latvia were screened. At the reception, it was also possible to get acquainted with the products by Latvian companies available in China, both created by modern technologies, and with the traditional flavours characteristic of Latvia: JZ Microphones, Groglass, Taka, Rīgas Melnais balzams, Kaija/Karavela, Stenders, Groglass, and others.

The event was implemented as part of the public diplomacy programme in support of the lobby campaign of Latvia’s candidacy for the United Nations Security Council. The campaign under the motto of “Together for peace and resilience” aims at ensuring successful election of Latvia to the United Nations Security Council for the 2026–2027 term in the 2025 election, at which Latvia is running for an elected member’s seat for the first time. Membership of the UNSC will be a key instrument in pursuit and protection of Latvia’s foreign policy interests, as well as making it possible for Latvia to expand the scale of its international cooperation and thereby contributing to world peace and resilience.