Statement by Mr. Oļegs Iļģis, Deputy Permanent Representative | General Debate | First Committee of the 81st UN General Assembly
New York, 9 October 2026
Mr Chair,
Please, allow me to congratulate you on your election as Chair of the First Committee and assure you of the active cooperation of the Latvian delegation. Latvia aligns itself with the statement of the European Union.
Mr Chair,
The First Committee is again taking place in a security environment 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 trends. Consequently, arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation remain crucial for reducing risks, fostering predictability, and maintaining peace and security.
Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine is a blatant assault on the people of Ukraine and on the UN Charter. It threatens security and stability of the Euro-Atlantic area, requiring other countries to significantly boost and adapt their defences. This year, even more than before, we are facing Russia’s systematic and escalating strikes against Ukraine’s civilians, cities and critical infrastructure. Russia’s illegal seizure and continued militarization of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant remains the most serious threat to nuclear safety and security, marking the first instance in history of a nuclear facility being used for military purposes.
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, the DPRK, Iran and Belarus are complicit in this aggression.
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 suspension of New START implementation, coupled with employing a strategic weapon on the battlefield, directly undermines credibility of the global arms control, non-proliferation and disarmament regime. Latvia calls on Russia to cease these destabilizing actions and return to full compliance with its international obligations and commitments.
We also take note of China’s continued rapid and opaque expansion of its nuclear arsenal and unwillingness to engage in dialogue on strategic stability. Latvia calls on China and Russia to engage meaningfully on strategic risk reduction.
Mr Chair,
Latvia emphasizes that the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) remains the cornerstone of the global non-proliferation regime. An integral part of preserving this crucial architecture is ensuring that non-proliferation commitments are universally respected. The lack of agreement on the outcome document of the 2026 Review Conference should not be interpreted as weakness of the NPT. On the contrary, it should serve as a call to mobilize our common efforts towards strengthening this treaty. Latvia’s Chairmanship of the CTBTO Preparatory Commission in 2026 reflects this commitment, as we work to advance the entry into force and universalization of the CTBT and reinforce the broader nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament architecture.
Upholding of the non-proliferation regime depends not just on political commitment, but also on respect for international law and legal norms. Security Council’s reinstatement of sanctions against Iran reflects Iran’s systematic non-compliance with the JCPOA, its long-standing failure to meet its safeguard obligations and obstinate lack of cooperation with the IAEA. Latvia encourages Iran to reverse its course, return to good-faith diplomacy, and resume verifiable cooperation with the IAEA.
Likewise, DPRK illustrates the ultimate dangers of proliferation - it maintains a nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programme that threatens regional and global stability. Latvia supports relevant Security Council resolutions and calls for complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization of the DPRK.
Latvia welcomes the committed cooperation of the government of Syria with the OPWC on the identification and verified elimination of all remaining chemical weapons in the country, as well as Syria’s transparency and cooperation with the IAEA to resolve outstanding safeguards issues related to Syria’s past nuclear activities.
Mr Chair,
The security of outer space is inseparable from broader international stability. Latvia maintains its robust commitment to the principles enshrined in the Outer Space Treaty, including access to space resources and rules for responsible behaviour in space.
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 holding the first plenary session in July of the Global Mechanism on ICT Security.
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 information manipulation and interference in democratic processes. As elected member of the Security Council, Latvia promotes engagement on emerging threats to peace and security, focusing on issues such as cyberthreats, disinformation, and malicious use of emerging technologies, as well as the potential contribution of such technologies to conflict resolution efforts.
Mr Chair,
Upholding principles of transparency, reciprocity, and verifiability remains crucial for an effective conventional arms control. Emerging technological risks further underscore the need to address illicit trade and unauthorised use of small arms and light weapons (SALW), which fuels instability and armed violence.
Latvia remains committed to global arms and export control frameworks, including the Arms Trade Treaty, Nuclear Suppliers Group, Australia Group and Wassenaar Arrangement. We actively support capacity building and sharing of best practices.
Latvia also reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the Women, Peace and Security agenda. Latvia has developed our second National Action Plan on WPS with focus on removing stereotypes that still persist about women’s meaningful participation in all stages of security policy. We must turn the WPS agenda into measurable progress on the ground.
Mr Chair,
To conclude, we believe that inclusive and transparent engagement, which promotes international law and advances effective multilateralism can contribute to international peace and security. Latvia is committed to advancing these goals during this 81st Session of the First Committee.