On 22 September, President of Latvia Egils Levits, President of Estonia Kersti Kaljulaid, President of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda met with UN Secretary-General António Manoel de Oliveira Guterres and discussed topical issues on the UN agenda – international conflict resolution, climate change, opportunities for digital transformation and possible risks of artificial intelligence, and other issues.
President Levits congratulated UN Secretary-General Guterres with re-election and thanked him for playing a strong role in addressing current priorities of UN and reform management. President shared Latvia’s vision on UN Security Council’s agenda and reiterated Latvia’s readiness to take UN Security Council non-permanent seat in 2026–2027.
Presidents of Baltic countries and head of the UN discussed organisation’s role in ending conflicts in Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova and Belarus.
President of Latvia stressed that Belarus is directing hybrid attacks at the Baltic states by fuelling migration crisis on the borders and urged UN to play active role in resolving this conflict.
Meeting also focused on the need to ensure that UN member states immediately respond to climate change by making specific steps.
Potential risks that come along the development of artificial intelligence was one of key concerns raised by UN Secretary-General during the meeting with three Baltic presidents. António Manoel de Oliveira Guterres urged to think big, have stronger strategic perspective on how to make sure people still control artificial intelligence in certain areas.
