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 League of Arab States
2 April 2026, New York
Thank you, Mr. President,
I welcome the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, Mr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit to this meeting, and I thank him and Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari for their comprehensive briefings.
Mr. President,
For decades the United Nations and the League of Arab States have enjoyed a strong and well-developed partnership. With the ongoing turmoil in the Middle East, it is ever more important to strengthen the foundation of this cooperation and reinforce joint efforts to promote peace and stability across the region. The League of Arab States and the UN have common challenges and common objectives.
The Gaza peace plan, firmly supported by Arab and Muslim countries, and endorsed by this Council in resolution 2803, creates a clear framework for stability, reconstruction and self-sustaining governance in Gaza. Its implementation is a joint task of this Council, the League of Arab States and the international community. We need to reinforce our efforts to end the cycle of violence in Gaza and the West Bank, consolidate the ceasefire and use this opportunity to pursue the political perspective of a two‑State solution.
With the wider Middle East already in flames, Hezbollah and Houthis are dragging Lebanon and Yemen into a conflict that doesn’t serve the interests of their people, but only those of Iran and its proxies. And this is our joint task to prevent that.
We acknowledge the remarkable progress of the new Syria. The international community’s solidarity and support to Syria’s inclusive political transition, reconstruction and transitional justice must continue and be reinforced. As the current escalation in the wider region creates additional risks for the fragile stabilization of Syria, we must secure that the recent gains are preserved.
Sudan serves an example where the League of Arab States, together with the United Nations, the African Union, IGAD and the EU, has an important role to play. We support the continued efforts of the Quintet to secure a humanitarian truce, advance de-escalation and help promote a space for an inclusive, civilian-led political process.
Our joint efforts are also needed to implement the political roadmap in Libya, advancing a Libyan‑led and Libyan‑owned political process that would lay the foundation for the country’s internal stability.
Mr. President,
The cooperation between the United Nations and the League of Arab States can be further strengthened through numerous avenues of joint interest and development. Today, I would like to mention three of them:
As a coastal state, Latvia continues to stand for maritime security, freedom of navigation and protection of the marine environment. We all stand to benefit from the UN and the League of Arab states strong cooperation in the maritime domain in addressing common challenges and ensuring safe, sustainable and secure shipping environment.
Iran’s deliberate attacks against its neighbours, and the civilian infrastructure, and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which threatens the global trade, energy supplies and agricultural production is unacceptable. By weaponizing this crucial route for its own gain, Iran is harming countries and populations that have no part in the conflict. Freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz must be ensured immediately and we as members of this Council must send a strong and united message.
Second, the current escalation in the wider Middle East is highlighting the impact of new technologies in the conflict environment. AI powered technology is transforming not only military domain, but also posing new challenges to information integrity, as it becomes a tool for disinformation and information manipulation. Meanwhile, digital infrastructure, including commercial data centres, are becoming a high value military target. Sharing expertise on these developments could help derive valuable lessons, helping increase resilience across regions in the digital age.
And third, we welcome the continued collaboration between the UN and the League of Arab States on the Women, Peace and Security agenda. Guided by the Regional Action Plan, its implementation is based on clear and focused parameters that foster women’s political and socio-economic participation and enhancing women’s rights and security.
To conclude, Mr President,
Latvia is a firm supporter of effective multilateralism in order to address global and regional challenges, with the Charter of the United Nations at its core. In this light, Latvia firmly supports strengthening the cooperation between the UN and the League of Arab States and stands ready to contribute to this regard.
I thank you!