Statement by H.E. Sanita Pavļuta-Deslandes, Permanent Representative of Latvia to the UN, at the UN Security Council briefing on the Great Lakes region
13 October 2026
Thank you, Madam President,
I thank Special Envoy Huang Xia for his briefing and his continued efforts to support peace initiatives and regional cooperation in the Great Lakes region.
Madam President, I will make three points.
First, the conflict in the Eastern DRC remains the flashpoint of the Great Lakes region. Latvia reaffirms its support to the ongoing peace efforts. We commend the progress achieved so far in the Washington and Doha processes. Yet the security and humanitarian situation on the ground still has to measurably improve. We urge all parties to sustain engagement and implement their commitments and the Council resolution 2773. We reiterate the call on Rwanda to cease its support for the M23 and withdraw its troops from the DRC, and for the FDLR to be neutralized. The conclusion of the Protocol on the Disarmament, Demobilization and Cantonment of the FDLR is a notable step, and we reaffirm the Council's call for its timely implementation. Latvia reiterates its firm commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Second, durable peace in the Great Lakes region cannot be envisaged without African ownership and leadership. We support the African Union-led mediation efforts in the Eastern DRC. The regional consultations held last week by the delegation of the AU Panel of Facilitators are a significant development. We hope that continued AU mediation will help rebuild trust and open space for dialogue. The International Conference on the Great Lakes Region also has an important role in the region’s peaceful and sustainable development, including through its support to the EJVM+ and its work on natural resource management. It is important to foster coordination and complementarity among the different African-led and international efforts. Equally important is to emphasise implementation of agreements and commitments by the countries of the region.
Finally, Latvia echoes the call for full, equal and meaningful participation of women in peace efforts. Women and girls are among those most affected by the conflict in the Eastern DRC. Therefore, women’s roles in conflict resolutions are crucial for sustainable peace that protects survivors and fosters accountability. They keep communities together, mediate, monitor and document abuses, and care for the vulnerable and sick, including currently during the Ebola outbreak. Their resilience should not be taken for granted. Their leadership and efforts in communities must be supported and encouraged. Peace without women’s participation risks being short-lived. It will lack societal resilience needed to withstand a relapse into conflict. We commend the Special Envoy for the continued advocacy for inclusive peace efforts.
To conclude, the momentum for peace shall not be wasted. It must be actively maintained. Through political will, rebuilding of trust and upholding of commitments, including the fundamental commitments of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the DRC and the Region. Latvia will continue to support efforts to bring peace to the DRC and the Great Lakes region.
I thank you.