Statement by H.E. Sanita Pavļuta-Deslandes, PR of Latvia to the United Nations at UN Security Council Adoption meeting on extension of the mandate of the Panel of Experts of the 1737 Sanctions Committee (1929)
New York, 17 September 2026
Merci, Monsieur le Président.
Latvia voted in favour of the resolution submitted by the United States. We regret that a positive outcome was not reached. The selective interpretation of international law and Council’s decisions by some Members has caused the work of all of the Council’s subsidiary organs to come to a standstill. Such reckless politization of the Council’s past decisions undermines the ability of this Council to fully implement its mandate to uphold international peace and security. In this case, opposition to the resolution serves to shield a state that has been appropriately sanctioned for its long-standing and systematic failure to uphold its international non-proliferation obligations.
Despite efforts by some Members to rewrite history and ignore binding Council resolutions, the sanctions against Iran remain in force. All UN member states are obliged to respect and implement them. Today’s draft is a purely technical resolution aimed at extending the mandate of the Panel of Experts of the 1737 Sanctions Committee, in-line with established practice and in full accordance with the procedures of this Council.
Mr. President,
Panels of Experts are a vital instrument for the comprehensive implementation and oversight of Council mandated sanctions. They are particularly important for addressing efforts to circumvent sanctions, as well as for identifying any necessary changes and updates. The 1737 Sanctions Committee is currently operating without a Panel of Experts, due to politization, rather than sound legal arguments. Today’s outcome is part of a deliberate pattern of weakening the UN sanctions architecture for the benefit of one Member State, similar to Russia’s veto of the mandate renewal of the Panel of Experts of the 1718 Sanctions Committee concerning the DPRK, another partner in its illegal aggression against Ukraine.
In conclusion, allow me to reiterate that Latvia will continue to uphold the binding decisions of this Council to ensure that Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon.
I thank you!