Statement by Latvia at the High-Level Briefing
of the Security Council on the cooperation between the United Nations and regional and sub-regional organizations in maintaining international peace and security: The Gulf Cooperation Council
2 April 2026, New York
Thank you, Mr. President,
At the outset, I would like to extend sincere congratulations to the Kingdom of Bahrain on assuming the Presidency of the Security Council for the month of April, and welcome you, Excellency, presiding over this meeting. We wish the Kingdom of Bahrain all success and we look forward to collaborating closely on the Council’s agenda.
I also pay tribute to the US for an outstanding presidency of the Council in March.
I welcome the Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Countries, Mr. Jasem AlBudaiwi, to this meeting, and I thank him and ASG Khaled Khiari for their valuable briefings.
Mr. President,
Latvia welcomes the Council's meeting on the cooperation between the UN and the GCC. The enhanced relationship between the two organizations, anchored in the UN General Assembly’s resolution 79/295, contributes to the Security Council’s core goal of maintaining international peace and security. Across the Middle East and well beyond, the GCC and its member states are contributing substantially to the international stabilization and mediation efforts, countering terrorism and combating the spread of extremism, strengthening maritime security and providing global humanitarian relief and development cooperation.
Building closer ties is ever more important in times of heightened geopolitical tensions and the spiralling conflict in the wider Middle East. Iran’s unprovoked attacks undermine the security, stability and well‑being of the GCC and countries beyond. In this context, we express our strong support for the principles of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and political independence. Latvia calls for de-escalation, the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure and full respect of international law by all parties, including the principles of the United Nations Charter and international humanitarian law.
On 11 March, Latvia voted in favour of the resolution 2817 submitted by Bahrain on behalf of the states of the Gulf Cooperation Council and Jordan. The said resolution, co-sponsored by 136 UN member states, is a clear example of the fruitful cooperation between the two organisations, proving that a cohesive regional effort can unite a broad international community. We reiterate full solidarity with our GCC partners and condemn in the strongest terms the attacks continuously launched by Iran on its regional neighbours.
Mr. President,
Iran’s actions and use of its proxies, Hezbollah, Houthis and others, to destabilize the wider Middle East, severely undermine international peace and security. Iranian attacks against the GCC countries are directly enabled by Russian military, intelligence, and technological support. Just as Iranian weapons and technology have been used by Russia to kill thousands of Ukrainian civilians, Iran is now supported by Russia in conducting widespread and systematic attacks against civilian and energy infrastructure in the Gulf states. We call on Iran to halt its deliberate and unjustifiable attacks against civilians and critical infrastructure in the GCC countries that constitute violation of international law and IHL.
Equally unacceptable is the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which threatens the global economy, energy supplies and agricultural production due to the disrupted trade of fertilizers. We welcome the declaration adopted on 19 March by the Council of the International Maritime Organization. We underline that Iran must comply with resolution 2817 and ensure maritime security and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. We note the Secretary-General’s efforts to mitigate the negative effects on the global trade and humanitarian needs caused by the disruption of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
In conclusion, Mr. President,
We remain confident that despite the turbulent times, the UN and the GCC partnership will continue to evolve and contribute to advancing peace, stability, and sustainable progress in the Middle East and beyond.
I thank you.