2nd Episode: "Global North vs Global South: NATO Partnerships and Beyond"
The second session of the Riga Security Forum podcast, titled "Global North vs Global South: NATO Partnerships and Beyond," delves into NATO's evolving partnerships with its southern neighbors and explores the Alliance’s broader role in addressing global security challenges. This discussion focuses on NATO’s proactive engagement in the Middle East, North Africa, and the Sahel, regions marked by complex security dynamics yet offering vital opportunities for collaboration. Through these partnerships, NATO seeks to promote stability, security, and economic prosperity, addressing common concerns such as terrorism, migration, and resilience in the face of new and traditional threats.
Joining the discussion is Javier Colomina, the Acting Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Security Policy and NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for the Southern Neighbourhood, who brings in-depth insights into NATO's strategies, priorities, and long-term vision for its partnerships in these regions. Moderated by Māris Andžāns, Director of the Center for Geopolitical Studies Riga. This session promises an engaging analysis of NATO’s role in the Global South and its efforts to build a more secure and interconnected world.
Don’t miss this insightful discussion, available November 5!
1st Episode: "The UN in a Fractured World: Relevance, Reform, and Resilience"
We are excited to launch the Riga Security Forum 2024 podcast series with this inaugural episode, available on October 29 in both video and audio formats. Tune in on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts to join an engaging conversation on the pivotal role of the United Nations in addressing global challenges amid rising geopolitical tensions.
This episode will examine the UN's relevance in today’s world, the urgent need for institutional reforms, and how the organization can build resilience against emerging threats like climate change and cyber security. The discussion will also spotlight Latvia’s candidacy for a seat on the UN Security Council (2026-2027), providing insights into how smaller nations can contribute to global diplomacy and stability. Our expert guests will share their perspectives on Latvia's strategies for conflict resolution, upholding international law, and promoting human rights in an increasingly complex global environment.
Participants:
- Andrejs Pildegovičs, Ambassador at Large, UNSC Task Force Director;
- Gunda Reire, Head of the Chancery of the President of Latvia and Director of the Center for International Studies.
Moderator: Uģis Lībietis, Head of the Latvian Radio News Service and Researcher at the Latvian Institute of International Affairs.
Don’t miss this insightful discussion, premiering October 29!
The new season of the Riga Security Forum 2024
8th Riga Security Forum episode: "AI as a Disruptive Technology in the Security Considerations of Europe"
Join us for the upcoming episode of the Riga Security Forum: "AI as a Disruptive Technology in the Security Considerations of Europe".
- Dr. Ivars Ijabs, Member of the European Parliament & political scientist;
- Aldis Erglis, Chairman of Emergn Latvia;
- Julia Gifford, Co-founder of Truesix.
Mark your calendars for this insightful conversation!
7th Riga Security Forum episode: "Global South and the Quest for International Justice"
The next Riga Security Forum episode: "Global South and the Quest for International Justice," will be released on Tuesday, December 12!
LIIA Researcher Sintija Broka will talk to Dr. Adam Czarnota, Rector at the Riga Graduate School of Law. This discussion will discuss whether there is a demand for exporting Western values beyond our borders and how far international justice stretches.
Stay tuned for the premiere link!
Riga Security Forum 2023: How European is European security? closing event
Riga Security Forum 2023: How European is European security? in-person closing event will take place on December 13, 2023, in-person and online!
For the fifth year in a row, the Latvian Institute of International Affairs (LIIA) organizes the Riga Security Forum, bringing together international experts in the spheres of security, politics, technology, education, and defense. In a series of ten fascinating broadcasts, experts will unravel issues of global significance through political self-reflection and, through answers to uncomfortable questions, strengthening mutual understanding in building a safer future.
13 December agenda:
12:00 – 12:40 - Arrival and registration
12:40 – 12:55 - Opening remarks:
- Dr. Kārlis BUKOVSKIS, Director at the LIIA
- Dr. Reinhard KRUMM, Director at FES Baltic states
13:00 – 14:15 - 1st panel: Strategic Partnership Concept from military security, economic and social perspectives
Panelists:
- Mr. Jānis GARISONS, State Secretary of the Ministry of Defence of Latvia;
- Mr. Mats WARSTEDT, Senior Vice President Nordics at Patria;
- Ms. Elīna EGLE, Chairwoman of the Board of the Federation of Security and Defence Industries of Latvia.
Moderator:
- Dr. Artis PABRIKS, Chairman of "Northern Defence Policy Centre" and former Minister for Defence.
14:15-14.45 - Coffee break
14:45-15:30 - 1:1 conversation: The importance of economic growth to security
Discussants:
- H.E. Christopher ROBINSON, U.S. Ambassador in Latvia and Dr. Kārlis BUKOVSKIS, Director of the Latvian Institute of International Affairs.
Event host - Sintija BROKA, Riga Security Forum project manager.
Riga Security Forum aims to gather key international policymakers, industry leaders, as well as military and civilian experts to discuss events, trends, opportunities, and challenges lying ahead for the international community. From October till the end of December, we will discuss both "conventional" and "unconventional" security challenges.
All the episodes are gradually available at www.rigasecurityforum.liia.lv or at Spotify or Apple Podcast "Riga Security Forum 2023" accounts.
6th Riga Security Forum discussion: "EU’s Global Outlook and Southern Neighborhood"
We are looking forward to the sixth episode of the Riga Security Forum, which will be released on Tuesday, December 5, and will gather distinguished guests!
Participants:
- Álvaro Imbernón Sáinz, Director of Strategy and Foresight in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation of Spain;
- Dr. Nathalie Tocci, Director of the Istituto Affari Internazionali & Professor at the School of Transnational Governance;
- The conversation will be moderated by Gints Amoliņš, Foreign news correspondent at Latvian Television.
This discussion will look at the EU's strategic approach to fostering stability, security, and prosperity in its Southern Neighborhood region.
Why is this important?
The President of the European Commission's speech on the situation in the European Union in 2023 highlighted the need to restore relations between the European Union and African countries. Due to migratory pressures, geopolitical changes and the importance of raw material supply chains, Europe's southern neighborhood will become increasingly important.
Stay tuned for the premiere link!
5th Riga Security Forum discussion: “Turkey vs. Ukraine – Who is more important to the EU?”
We are half way through! Join us for the 5th Riga Security Forum discussion, premiering on Tuesday, November 28!
Featuring distinguished experts:
- Dr. Toni Alaranta, Senior Research Fellow at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs;
- Justyna Gotkowska, Deputy Director Centre for Eastern Studies (OSW);
- Moderated by Uģis Lībietis, Associate Researcher at the Latvian Institute of International Affairs.
This discussion, in an unorthodox and bold manner, will explore the strategic significance of both Turkey and Ukraine in the context of the EU and the geopolitical implications of both countries.
Stay tuned for the premiere link!
4th Riga Security Forum discussion: Nuclear arsenal and China
Join us for our 4th Riga Security Forum discussion, premiering on Tuesday, November 21!
Featuring distinguished experts: Lynn Rusten, Vice president for Nuclear Threat Initiative Global Nuclear Policy Program and Dr. Sandis Šrāders, Researcher and Lecturer at the Baltic Defence College.
This discussion will delve into the multifaceted issues surrounding China's nuclear weapons program and its implications on global security and diplomacy. Experts will explore China's strategic intentions, regional and international implications.
Stay tuned for the premiere link!
3rd Riga Security Forum discussion: "The alliance of sanctioned nations: impact and implications".
Join us for our third Riga Security Forum discussion, premiering on Tuesday, November 14th! Topic: "The alliance of sanctioned nations: impact and implications".
Featuring distinguished experts:
- Dr. Arkady Moshes, Programme Director at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs;
- Dr. Ian Anthony, Research Analyst at the Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI);
- The discussion will be moderated by Dr. Karlis Bukovskis.
This discussion will focus on the concept of a "Coalition of the Sanctioned" – the countries that have been put under sanctions list by the European Union and the United States and who are seeking to collaborate among themselves. Countries like Iran and North Korea seem to be looking for a partnership with Russia. Hence, the goal of the discussion is to investigate how successful and strong these partnerships among the countries of the "coalition of the sanctioned" could become.
Stay tuned for the premiere link!
2nd Riga Security Forum episode "The U.S. cannot afford to protect the EU. Why does the Eu need protection?"
2nd Riga Security Forum episode "The U.S. cannot afford to protect the EU. Why does the Eu need protection?", premiering on Tuesday, November 7th.
Panelists:
- Prof. Przemysław Żurawski vel Grajewski, Political Scientist at the University of Łódź;
- Prof. Michael Kimmage, Ordinary Professor and Department Chair at The Catholic University of America;
- Dr. Reinhard Krumm, Director of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) in the Baltic States.
Watch the discussion online on Tuesday!
Opening high-level conversation with president of Latvia, H.E. Edgars Rinkēvičs
On Tuesday, October 31, we will open the Riga Security Forum with a high-level conversation in which Edijs Bošs will talk with the president of Latvia, H.E. Edgars Rinkēvičs!
In the discussion, we will analyze the causes of international tension, possible development scenarios, and how Latvia can navigate this confusion, avoid getting lost, and stay on course.
Podcast sessions in Latvian and English will be available every Tuesday on the project's website, LIIA's social media accounts, as well as streaming platforms such as "Spotify" and "Apple."
Proud to introduce the elegant "Security Crown"
The Riga Security Forum begins next Tuesday, October 31, online.
We're proud to introduce the elegant "Security Crown," designed by the talented Brigita Stroda (Crown Heads of Europe) who wisely reminds us that "Security starts in our head."
Join us for this important event, where experts and thought leaders will discuss the future of our security!
Riga Security Forum 2023
Get ready for ten brand new Riga Security Forum 2023 podcast session episodes of political insights that will reshape your perspective! Our upcoming podcast series dives deep into discussions on crucial issues, insightful analyses, and thought-provoking debates. Stay tuned for a political journey you won't want to miss! #RSF2023
Putting on the 'Gender Glasses': Response to the War in Ukraine in the Transatlantic Security
On December 19, you are welcome to join the high-level #RSF2022 concluding discussion: "Putting on the 'Gender Glasses': Response to the War in Ukraine in the Transatlantic Security Space".
Please confirm your participation by registering here: https://ej.uz/RSF2022_FINAL
For the concluding in-person discussion, we are happy to host three distinguished guests:
- Baiba Braže, Assistant Secretary-General for Public Diplomacy, NATO;
- Gunda Reire, Parliamentary Secretary at the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
- LCol Melanie Lake, Canadian Armed Forces Advisor to Canada’s Ambassador for Women, Peace and Security.
The discussion will be moderated by our amazing colleague Elizabete Vizgunova, Researcher at the Latvian Institute of International Affairs and a journalist at TVNET Group.
As we speak calmly from Riga, Russia continues sending rockets toward any possible targets that women traditionally represent, including schools and kindergartens, hospitals, children's and maternity hospitals, and other populated areas. Reports about the killing of civilians, including children and women, as well as women being raped and murdered by Russian soldiers, are voiced loudly in the international press. Russia's approach has even been called a "deliberate strategy" by the UN Secretary-General.
The case of the war in Ukraine serves as an excellent case study to assess the capacity of the Western community to employ the "gender glasses" when providing assistance to the millions of women facing violence and psychological distress. It brings attention to several #WPS pillars:
- The protection of women and children in armed conflict.
- Women's leadership in all levels of conflict resolution.
- The relief and recovery which has been provided by various international and humanitarian actors both in Ukraine and abroad.
The discussion will interrogate several aspects of the efforts to promote the protection, relief, and recovery of women, as well as promoting women's leadership in Ukraine by the Transatlantic community.
Register and see you there!
How to make the Eastern Neighborhood stable, secure and prosperous? Part II
During the next #RSF2022 episode, Juris Poikāns, Ambassador of Latvia to Poland, Romania, and Bulgaria, together with Arkady Moshes, Program Director at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs, and Sandis Šrāders, Researcher and Lecturer at the Baltic Defense College as well as Associate Researcher at the LIIA will discuss the latest trends and opportunities towards the Eastern Neighborhood region.
The next episode: "How to make the Eastern Neighborhood stable, secure and prosperous? Part II," will be available on December 12.
Final closing debate of the Riga Security Forum 2022: Values-Based International Order
The Latvian Institute of International Affairs (LIIA), in cooperation with the NATO Public Diplomacy Division, Friedrich-Ebert Foundation, the embassies of Poland, Canada, and Spain in Latvia, as well as the StrategEast Center for a New Economy and 5G Techritory platform is honored to invite you to the final closing debate of the Riga Security Forum 2022: Values-Based International Order. The concluding event will be held on the 19th of December from 12:00 to 17:00 at AC Hotel by Marriott Riga, Dzirnavu Street 33, Riga.
The event is free of charge, please register here.
In the closing event, three-panel discussions will take place:
12:30 | Opening remarks |
13:00-14:00 | Women, Peace and Security |
14:30-15:30 | The Indo-Pacific and Euroatlantic: Same but Different? |
16:00-17:00 | Security in the Baltic Sea Region after the Upcoming NATO Enlargement |
17:00 | Closing remarks and networking |
The final closing debate will conclude a cycle of several ongoing podcast sessions that are all gradually available at www.rigasecurityforum.liia.lv, “Spotify” and “Apple Podcasts” platforms.
The "Riga Security Forum 2022" aims to gather key international policymakers, industry leaders, as well as military and civilian experts to discuss events, trends, opportunities, and challenges lying ahead for the transatlantic community and NATO in particular. All discussions are related to defence and security issues both from the perspective of transatlantic community and Baltic Sea region. Global challenges as well as internal political stability will be addressed during debates.
How to make the Eastern Neighborhood stable, secure and prosperous? Part I
For the next #RSF2022 episode Reinhard Krumm, Director at the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Baltic States, together with Ambassador Thomas Greminger, Director of the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP), will discuss the latest trends and opportunities towards the Eastern Neighborhood region. How to make the region be stable, secure, and prosperous?
Digital Resilience of Ukraine
This year's war in Ukraine is very much shaping the usual timetable for many of us, including the agenda of the Riga Security Forum. Different security aspects regarding the war in Ukraine could be one of the most actual topics for our discussions. In our following #RSF2022 debate, we will look at the war in a more "unconventional" way.
Digital infrastructure has become one of the main pillars of Ukraine's resilience. During the upcoming debate: "Digital Resilience of Ukraine," we will discuss several issues concerning digital resilience versus conventional warfare. Ukraine's government's initiative to build a free, transparent, efficient digital state, as well as the role of big tech companies and international financial institutions.
Panelists:
- George Dubinskiy, Ukraine's Deputy Minister of Digital Transformation;
- .Olesya Zaluska, Chief of Party in Ukraine, USAID Competitive Economy Program (CEP);
- Anatoly Motkin, President of StrategEast;
-
Elena Krukovskaya, Chief Operations Officer, Exadel.
The discussion will be moderated by Uģis Lībietis, Associated researcher at LIIA and Journalist at Latvian Radio.
The next Riga Security Forum episode will be available on November 17!
Secure data connectivity for future networks 5G/6G: The role of ecosystems
The modern world is unimaginable without 5G networks. 5G infrastructure will become the engine of the connected world and will rely on policy, norms, and standards that do not yet exist. Nevertheless, with increasing connections increase the risks of breaches.
How broad are the industry footprints in different security areas, and how can we adapt and build an appropriate industry ecosystem? We will discuss these issues already in the following #RSF2022 conversation: "Secure data connectivity for future networks 5G/6G: The role of ecosystems" together with:
- Jesper Olsen, Director and Chief Security Officer in Northern Europe, "Palo Alto Networks"
- Evijs Taube, Board member at Latvian State Radio and Television Centre
- Kaspars Pollaks, Head of Business Area Defence and Public Safety, LMT
- Kristiāns Teters, IT Security Specialist, CERT.lv.
The conversation will be moderated by Julia Gifford, Co-Founder at "Truesix" and communication specialist, and Neils Kalniņš, Director of 5G Techritory, Electronic Communications Office (ECO) of Latvia.
The next Riga Security Forum episode will be available on November 8!