The 55th General Assembly of the Organization of American States

Ambassador Elita Kuzma, Permanent Observer of the Republic of Latvia to the Organization of American States, participated in the 55th General Assembly of the Organization of American States, held at St. John, Antigua and Barbuda, from June 25 to 27, 2025.

Ambassador Elita Kuzma reaffirmed Latvia’s strong commitment to support the organization’s work on safeguarding the rules-based international order, human rights and democracy. Ambassador Elita Kuzma highlighted the importance of cooperation in the multilateral fora and Latvia’s growing partnership with the Latin American and Caribbean countries, particularly in the areas of digital transformation and women empowerment.

Ambassador Elita Kuzma reminded that Latvia had been elected as a non-permanent member of the United Nation’s Security Council for the term 2026-2027, stating: “During our term in the UN Security Council, we will stand firm for the international rules-based order, especially now when Russia’s imperialist objectives and ambitions violate the UN Charter and pose a threat to global security. Our aim is to also promote gender equality and empowerment of women, and foster solutions in the nexus of security, sustainability, technology and development. We stand ready to contribute to global efforts on digital security, including cybersecurity, AI, media literacy, and information integrity.”

Ambassador Elita Kuzma thanked the Members of the Organization of American States for their support in Latvia’s election and reminded of previous successful collaborations at the United Nation’s level with the Latin American and Caribbean countries, wishing for a close cooperation with Panama and Colombia as fellow incoming non-permanent members of the United Nation’s Security Council.
Additionally, Ambassador Elita Kuzma held a bilateral meeting with Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Culture and Immigration of Belize, to discuss advancing the intergovernmental Air Services Agreement and further strengthening bilateral ties between Latvia and Belize.

Ambassador Elita Kuzma also held a bilateral meeting with Jennifer Feller, Director General for Human Rights and Democracy of the Secretariat of Foreign Affairs of Mexico, to discuss political consultations with Mexico, the advancing of the Agreement on Air Services, as well as cooperation during Latvia’s term in United Nation’s Security Council.

Ambassador Elita Kuzma thanked Sir Ronald Sanders, Ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda to the Organization of American States, for hosting the General Assembly. Ambassador Elita Kuzma also held meetings with Betilde Munoz-Pogoddian, Director of the Department Social Inclusion of the Organization of American States, to discuss sharing Latvia’s expertise in preserving endangered languages. Ambassador Elita Kuzma also met with Alejandra Mora Mora, Executive Secretary of the Inter-American Commission of Women of the Organization of American States, to discuss gender equality as a core value and Latvia’s commitment to advance “Women, Peace and Security” (WPS) agenda during Latvia’s term in United Nation’s Security Council.

Information:
The Organization of American States is the main political organization of the Western Hemisphere with 32 Member States of Americas and more than 70 observer countries. The General Assembly is the highest decision-making body of the organization, that is held annually bringing together foreign ministers and high-level representatives from all the member states and permanent observers.