From 16 to 23 September, President Edgars Rinkēvičs will pay a working visit to the United States of America (USA) to participate in the opening of the 78th session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in New York and the "Spotlight Latvia" conference organised by the Latvian-American Chamber of Commerce in Boston.
The President's address to the UN General Assembly is scheduled for 20 September at approximately 20.00 (Latvian time). In his address, E. Rinkēvičs will focus in particular on Russia's aggression against Ukraine and the threat it poses to the rules-based international order, and will call for the restoration of justice by holding Russia and its agents accountable for the crime of aggression and war crimes committed in Ukraine. At the same time, the President will reaffirm Latvia's support for the achievement of the global Sustainable Development Goals.
During his working visit to New York, the President will participate in the US-Baltic Investment Summit, the Sustainable Development Forum Leaders' Dialogue on Science, Technology and Innovation, the Climate Ambition Summit, the UN Security Council open debate on Peace and Security in Ukraine, and the Summit on addressing the existential threats of sea level rise.
During the UN General Assembly, the Presidents of the Baltic States are scheduled to meet with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, and Polish President Andrzej Duda. President Rinkēvičs will also hold several bilateral meetings, including with the leaders of Andorra, South Africa, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Rwanda and Tuvalu, to discuss bilateral relations and cooperation in international organisations, support for Ukraine, as well as to promote support for Latvia's candidacy for a non-permanent member on the UN Security Council for 2026-2027.
The President is invited to attend a reception hosted by US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden.
On 21 and 22 September, President Rinkēvičs will participate in the "Spotlight Latvia" conference organised by the Latvian-American Chamber of Commerce in Boston and will meet with Governor Maura Healey of the State of Massachusetts.
President Rinkēvičs will also meet with his compatriots living in the USA in New York and Boston.