Statement of Latvia at the First Committee of the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly, delivered by Oļegs Iļģis, Deputy Permanent Representative of Latvia to the UN
New York, 9 October 2025
Mr Chair,
Please, allow me to congratulate you on your election as Chair of the First Committee and assure you of active cooperation of the Latvian delegation. Latvia aligns itself with the statement of the European Union and would like to make a few remarks in our national capacity.
Mr Chair,
International security is imperilled by rising tensions, deliberate violations of international norms, and weakening restraint. The result is a world less stable, less predictable, and less secure. Upholding international law, including the UN Charter, is paramount to reverse these troubling trends. Consequently, arms control disarmament and non-proliferation remain crucial for reducing risks, fostering predictability, and ensuring lasting peace and security.
Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, now in its fourth year, is a blatant assault on the UN Charter. It threatens security and stability of the Euro-Atlantic area also requiring other countries to significantly boost and adapt their defences. Latvia condemns Russia’s actions in the strongest terms. Russian forces must withdraw, Ukraine’s territorial integrity must be restored within its internationally recognized borders, and Russia must be held accountable. By supplying Russia with weaponry and direct military support, DPRK, Iran and Belarus are complicit in this war.
Russia’s dangerous nuclear conduct is of particular concern. The reckless and escalatory nuclear rhetoric, announced deployment of nuclear weapons in Belarus, revocation of CTBT ratification and the suspension of New START implementation, coupled with employing a strategic weapon in the battlefield, directly undermines credibility of the global arms control, non-proliferation and disarmament regime. Russia’s ongoing occupation of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant marks the first instance in history of a nuclear facility being used for military purposes, risking catastrophic consequences. Latvia calls on Russia to cease these actions and return to full compliance with its international obligations and commitments. Russia must engage meaningfully in discussions on strategic risk reduction.
We also take note of China’s rapid and opaque expansion of its nuclear arsenal and unwillingness to engage in dialogue on strategic stability. Latvia calls on China to engage meaningfully in discussions on strategic risk reduction.
Mr Chair,
The global arms control, disarmament, and non-proliferation architecture is under growing strain, marked by noncompliance, disruptive behaviour and eroding consensus. The effectiveness of all non-proliferation and disarmament instruments depends on our collective adherence, transparency, and rigorous implementation of them. It is a non-negotiable to ensure this architecture continues to serve its fundamental purpose. Latvia emphasizes that the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) remains the cornerstone of the global non-proliferation regime. Achieving successful outcome of the 2026 NPT Review Conference requires collective effort.
An integral part of preserving this architecture is ensuring that non-proliferation commitments are universally respected. Security Council’s recent reinstatement of sanctions against Iran reflects the consequences of Iran’s non-compliance with the JCPOA, failure to meet its safeguard obligations and lack of cooperation with the IAEA. Latvia encourages Iran to reverse it course, return to good-faith diplomacy, and resume verifiable cooperation with the IAEA.
Likewise, the DPRK maintains a nuclear program that threatens regional and global stability. Latvia supports relevant Security Council resolutions and calls for complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization of the DPRK.
Mr Chair,
The security of outer space is inseparable from broader international stability. Latvia, having ratified the Outer Space Treaty this year, upholds its provisions and calls for strengthened norms, rules and responsible behaviour to keep the outer space secure against evolving threats and the misuse of advanced capabilities.
The increase of malicious activities in cyberspace requires effective measures to counter them, build cyber resilience and genuinely implement the UN framework for responsible state behaviour in cyberspace. Latvia welcomes the decision to establish a Global Mechanism on developments in the field of ICTs in the context of international security and advancing responsible State behaviour in ICTs.
Rapid development of artificial intelligence offers vast opportunities, while also presenting emerging challenges to international peace and security, including ethical dilemmas, vulnerabilities in cyber and biosecurity, and the growing risks of manipulation of information and interference in democratic processes. As elected member of the Security Council for 2026-2027, Latvia will promote engagement on emerging threats to peace and security, focusing on issues such as cyberthreats, disinformation, and malicious use of new and emerging technologies.
Mr Chair,
Upholding principles of transparency, reciprocity, and verifiability remains crucial for an effective conventional arms control. Latvia is committed to curbing illicit trade of small arms and light weapons (SALW) and their ammunition, which fuel instability and armed violence across the globe.
We also note the rapid development of lethal autonomous weapons systems. Latvia believes that meaningful human control over the use of force is indispensable, and we support efforts towards building consensus on guiding principles in this area. Latvia supports multilateral solutions that strengthen arms control and safeguard stability and security.
Latvia is committed to global arms and export control frameworks, including the Arms Trade Treaty, Nuclear Suppliers Group, and Wassenaar Arrangement. We actively support capacity building and sharing of best practices. At the annual Conference of States Parties of ATT, Latvia hosted a seminar presenting our experience in identifying military goods in export control to further promote the international rules-based order.
Mr Chair,
Latvia reaffirms its unwavering commitment to advancing the Women, Peace and Security agenda and turning it into measurable progress on the ground. Latvia is currently developing its second National Action Plan on WPS. We also remain engaged in efforts to address conflict-related sexual violence as a global priority.
To conclude, we believe that inclusive and transparent engagement, which promotes international law and advances effective multilateralism can lay path to strengthening international peace and security. Latvia is committed to advancing these goals during this 80th Session of the First Committee.
Thank you, Mr Chair.