Position paper for Latvia
| Committee: | GA First |
| Topic: | Consolidation of peace through practical disarmament measures |
| Paper text: | |
| Although the Cold War ended some 35 years ago its effects are still as polarizing as ever.
The issue of disarmament has been a focal point for the decades after the resolution of this
conflict. While the countries of the International Community take wildly different viewpoints,
the attitude of the Republic of Latvia has been set since its independence in 1991: The best
protection of a weapon is to possess it as well.
The Republic of Latvia agrees that nuclear weapons are an absolute last resort, but it is still beneficial to countries around the globe to possess this option. One of the few ways the Republic of Latvia has to protect itself from those who wish to take away our independence is to maintain a "bigger stick". A sufficient threat is the singular way the Republic of Latvia, as well as the other nations comprising NATO, can prevent the liberation of our countries, the oppression of our cultures, and the deaths of millions. Of course, the Republic of Latvia doesn't wish to bring this scale of destruction upon any member of the global council, but to prevent this threat it is necessary to threaten it as well. In today's world Turmoil as well as military and political unrest run rampant. With a warzone just a few hundred kilometers from the doorstep of our great nation, it is paramount to protect ourselves. | |
| Committee: | GA First |
| Topic: | Implementation of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction |
| Paper text: | |
| From the first application of chemical weapons to today, the world knew that they were
immoral. In the first world war children were left gasping for air while their lungs collapsed
and all medics could do was watch. Today these chemical weapons are more advanced and
much deadlier. These weapons serve no strategic importance other than to cause suffering
to those unlucky enough affected by these weapons of mass destruction. The Republic of
Latvia, along with other members of The Australian Group as well as the Chemical Weapons
Convention, believes that chemical weapons should be outlawed from being developed,
produced, stockpiled, and used.
Today only a handful of nations still possess these weapons of mass destruction. It is the goal of the Republic of Latvia, as well as the Chemical Weapons Convention, to eliminate all stockpiles of these illegal weapons. This is necessary to protect our citizens from these horrific deaths. | |
| Committee: | GA Third |
| Topic: | Rights of indigenous peoples |
| Paper text: | |
| Indigenous people, making up 370 million of the global community while accounting for 15% of the poorest, spanning across 90 different countries have always fallen victim to discrimination and disempowerment due to colonization and displacement from their areas of primary habitation. However, rights defined through resolutions passed by the UNDRIP in 2007 allow for adoption of national action plans by member states that promote self determination by allowing for the "recognition, observance and enforcement of treaties" for the Indigenous people. The Republic of Latvia has shown strong support of this proposition by our recognition of Livonians as an Indigenous group, including protection of their status by the 1992 Law on Free Development and Right of Cultural Autonomy of Latvian National Ethnic groups. The declaration maintains traditions, protects the land and resources of the Livonian people; as well as allowing for participation in matters concerning their respective resources. The Republic of Latvia is ranked above average among the world's sovereign states in democracy, press freedom, privacy and human development, possessing wide civil liberties. Additionally, to mitigate the alleged discrimination suffered by the Russian-speaking community, the Latvian parliament appointed an ombudsman, responsible for resolution of complaints, typically through recommendations or mediation. It is in the Republic of Latvia's interest that the UN adapts a means of destigmatizing foreign languages primarily spoken by indigenous groups by mandating the primary language used by the most predominant ethnic group in a country as an additional language to be learnt against the already standing educational curriculum. The Republic of Latvia believes this will allow for language revitalization for indigenous peoples. | |
| Committee: | GA Third |
| Topic: | Literacy for life |
| Paper text: | |
| The Republic of Latvia has demonstrated a strong standing on literacy of the Livonian people by introducing efforts by the Livonian Cultural Center, the Society of Friends of Livonia and the Livonian Association which organizes events and publish studies which promote the language. The Latvian Academy of Culture, the universities of Tarth, Helsinki and Latvia as well as other institutions offer programs to learn the Livonian language. Latvian official law recognizes Livonian as the language of the indigenous people. Additionally, the Republic of Latvia has a 99.89% adult literacy rate as recorded in 2021 for both men and women, as well as high level language fluency with about 54% of the population being trilingual, this fluidity between languages is a means which allows for normalcy associated with adapting and learning new languages. The Livonian language itself is important for understanding Latvian as both languages influenced each other. UNESCO considered Livonian a critically endangered language, in which it would be of interest that the United Nations imposes a means of allowing for languages at the brink of extinction to be revitalized on a large scale through mass publishing of literature in these languages by Indigenous authors which will in turn preserve the language. | |
| Committee: | GA Plenary |
| Topic: | The human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment |
| Paper text: | |
| Although most would agree that a clean and healthy environment is a basic human right, many disagree on what measures, and to what extent, should be taken. In this regard, the EU, and by extension, the Republic of Latvia, support taking more proactive steps to combat climate change. Countries like the Republic of Latvia which have large coasts are disproportionately affected by climate change, with Riga, its capital, sitting practically on the Baltic sea. As sea levels rise countries like the Republic of Latvia face devastating flooding which threatens to damage, or even destroy, many coastal cities. The Republic of Latvia also has a long history of environmental protection. With over half of the country being covered in a forest, it has one of the most natural environments of any country in Europe. It established its first nature preserve in 1936, and since then roughly 18% of its land has become protected. The Republic of Latvia is also part of the E.U, which has made a pledge to become carbon neutral by 2050, and is currently 13th place for reaching sustainable development goals. Just this year IPCC met in the Republic of Latvia to draft an outline of the Special Report on Climate Change and Cities. The Republic of Latvia supports the advancement of implementation of the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda, which helps strengthen the economies of island nations. The Republic of Latvia is also a member of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Kyoto Protocol, and the Paris Agreement. One of the Republic of Latvia's internal focuses is implementing the National Adaptation Plan which endeavors to "reduce the vulnerability of people, economy, infrastructure, construction and environment to the impacts of climate change." The Republic of Latvia believes that progress towards Agenda 2030 is far too slow, and that more focus should be placed on reaching these goals. The Republic of Latvia believes in sustainable development for all, and leaving no one behind. In this regard, the Republic of Latvia believes that the Global Digital Compact can be a catalyst for sustainable development. | |
| Committee: | GA Plenary |
| Topic: | Safety and security of humanitarian personnel and protection of United Nations personnel |
| Paper text: | |
| As of today, nearly 362 million people require some form of humanitarian aid. Many of the people who require this aid reside in areas facing ongoing violence, wars, conflicts, or civil unrest. As in the previous section, the Republic of Latvia aligns itself with the position of the European Union. The European Union's stated position on the topic is a "renewed commitment to respect and ensure respect for international humanitarian law." The E.U. takes an active role in supporting U.N. personnel, providing military and civilian support to U.N. personnel, often deploying with them. Furthermore, the Republic of Latvia directly financially supports the UNRWA, which is currently providing humanitarian aid in Gaza. The EU itself also provides millions of euros each year for the UNRWA. The EU supports Humanitarian Civil-Military Coordination in order to protect humanitarian workers. In a 2024 statement, the permanent representative of Latvia to the UN Security council, spoke on the topic, calling for perpetrators of violence against humanitarian workers to be tried in international courts, media to play a role in exposing war crimes, and the addressing of "structural factors that lead to suffering of civilians." Later that year UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres introduced an agenda focusing on digital media. The agenda calls for greater transparency pertaining to financial supporters and algorithm design, all participating countries should provide ethically sourced and accurate government information, and stronger dis-incentives against spreading misinformation. Based on the Republic of Latvia's previous call for the media to play a role in exposing war crimes, one can assume they would support such measures. | |
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