National statement at the 11th Session of the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption

Agenda item: General Discussion

Statement by the Republic of Latvia

Delivered by Permanent Representative Ambassador Raimonds Oškalns

11th Session of the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption

Doha, 15-19 December 2025

Mr. President, Excellences, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is an honour to address this Eleventh Session of the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption. Let me begin by warmly congratulating you, Mr. President, on your election. I look forward to working under your leadership and guidance. Allow me also to express Latvia’s appreciation to the State of Qatar and to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime for their excellent organisation of this important gathering.

Latvia fully aligns itself with the statement delivered on behalf of the European Union. I would like to add a few remarks in my national capacity.

Mr. President,

Today, more than ever, we must stress that corruption is not a local or a regional problem, but a global challenge with global consequences. Corruption distorts economies, weakens democratic institutions, enables organised crime, erodes public trust, and deepens social and gender inequalities. In an increasingly interconnected world, the harm caused by corruption in one jurisdiction can quickly affect many others.

For Latvia, combating corruption is not only a matter of governance but is a matter of national resilience and security. As a state situated on the external border of the European Union, Latvia stands on the frontline of protecting not only our own institutions, but also the political system and democratic values of the broader European community.

The rapid development of technologies, including artificial intelligence adds an additional layer of complexity. It is important to highlight a growing and deeply concerning trend: the emergence of hybrid corruption, where traditional corruption risks intersect with political influence operations and foreign information manipulation, often enabled through covert political financing. The use of deepfakes, crypto-assets, and other digital tools significantly heightens the risks of manipulation, with the potential to influence elections or pre-election campaigning, which may also be linked to foreign interference.

Mr. President,

For more than twenty years, Latvia’s Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau has carried out its mandate to strengthen integrity, investigate corruption, and coordinate national anti-corruption policies. The Bureau’s work has been guided by UNCAC, which continues to serve as a comprehensive roadmap for self-assessment.

Latvia is proud to have been recognised among the leading OECD countries for the development and implementation of national anti-corruption strategies, as well as for our regulatory framework.

Mr. President,

Allow me to share two examples of recent initiatives where international cooperation has played a crucial role:

First, Latvia worked closely with OECD experts to develop a methodology for evaluating the effectiveness of internal control systems within public institutions, including state-owned enterprises. This methodology assesses how institutions identify corruption risks, cultivate a culture of integrity, ensure transparent communication, and monitor the impact of their measures. While designed for the public sector, it is also relevant to private-sector actors engaged in national and international procurement. We view this work as a contribution to strengthening transparency and enhancing resilience to corruption risks.

Second, Latvia, in partnership with the European Commission and the OECD, is developing a National Corruption Risk Assessment Methodology, the first of its kind at national scale. This tool will enable a systematic and standardised assessment of corruption risks across government, business, and society, serving as an early-warning system to identify vulnerabilities before they are exploited. The assessment will be conducted in 2026, and we are pleased that international experts have recognised the pioneering nature of this initiative. Latvia stands ready to share its experience and results with all interested parties.

Mr. President,

Looking ahead, and considering rapid technological developments and challenges at national and international scale, Latvia sees three fundamental cornerstones for future anti-corruption efforts:

First, States Parties must pursue a risk-based approach, with focus on developing the capacity to identify and analyse corruption risks at a national level. Instruments, like Latvia’s National Corruption Risk Assessment Methodology, along with guidance provided by UNCAC, may serve as a roadmap.

Second, responsible use of technology, including artificial intelligence, to mitigate corruption risks. Advanced analytical tools can significantly enhance preventive measures and the investigation of corruption crimes.

Third, a shift from a process-based to a result-based approach. We must ensure that resources are used effectively and that anti-corruption measures deliver tangible impact.

Mr. President,

Latvia also wishes to emphasize the key role of the Implementation Review Mechanism (IRM) in ensuring the effective and full implementation of the Convention. We sincerely hope that this Conference will build upon the progress achieved over the past years with the launch of the second phase of the IRM. It is essential that the Mechanism becomes more transparent, inclusive, practical, and efficient. Only a mechanism that embodies these qualities can fully support the implementation of the Convention.

In conclusion, Mr. President, let me reaffirm Latvia’s strong commitment to international cooperation in the fight against corruption and to the continued implementation of the United Nations Convention against Corruption.

Thank you, Mr. President!