ENGRiga 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 | |
16:00-17:00 | Security in the Baltic Sea Region after the Upcoming NATO Enlargement |
| 17:00 |
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!
Europe's Energy Security: Reliable or not?
Speaking of energy security, one can distinguish three key aspects or dimensions of energy security: physical, political, and socioeconomic. The EU has emergency mechanisms in place for situations where urgent action is required. However, the challenges are more significant than that and go beyond short-term solutions.
The second #RSF2022 conversation will be on Europe's Energy Security. Dr. Frank Umbach, Head of Research at the EUCERS and EUCERS, University of Bonn, and Reinis Āboltiņš, Senior energy expert will discuss the latest topicalities.
#RSF2022 Opening Conversation with Mr. President Egils Levits
The first high-level conversation will be available on October 20!
The Riga Security Forum 2022: Value-based International Order
Dear friends,
"The Riga Security Forum 2022: Value-based International Order" has arrived alongside this beautiful autumn season.
We are currently living in a turbulent time when both the international order and the values of the Western world are being challenged. Russia's attack on Ukraine has led countries and societies to question the future by changing the idea of how the transatlantic community interacts. The EU solidarity and the role of powerful countries are being questioned again. Even more, the immediate principles of rule-based international order exist on a constant stress test.
This year 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.
The LIIA intends to emphasize the future of the values-based international order and global security by addressing the so-called "conventional" security dimension and "unconventional" security issues. During this fourth quarter of 2022, the LIIA will organize ten video and audio podcast series complementing them with high-level closing in-person public discussion.
The podcast series will be available on leading podcast streaming platforms such as "Spotify", "Apple", and "Google" as well as in video format on the project website - www.rigasecurityforum.liia.lv, YouTube, and LIIA social media accounts.
See you!
Insight: NATO's OUTLOOK TOWARDS 2030 AND BEYOND
The Latvian Institute of International Affairs, in co-operation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia and the NATO Public Diplomacy Division, on November 30, held a high-level conference: "NATO's OUTLOOK TOWARDS 2030 AND BEYOND" which served as Riga Security Forum 2021 concluding high-level discussions.
Event agenda, please see here.
New book: "Deterrence Through Adaptation: The Case Study of Latvia"
The publication "Deterrence Through Adaptation: The Case Study of Latvia" offers a collection of articles that reflect on topical security issues of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Authors from Latvia discuss transforming regional security policies, indicating risks and opportunities for the deterrence posture of the Alliance from the perspective of several dimensions. The authors also provide realities and recommendations towards the #NATO2030 adaptation process. Particular attention is devoted to the transatlantic collective defence, nuclear policy, cyberspace, strategic communication, space, resilience, and the role of other emerging elements and actors. Issues beyond traditional national security challenges are also addressed.
This publication is co-sponsored by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
Final episode: Transatlantic Security and Deterrence
The final discussion of the Riga Security Forum 2021 podcast sessions has arrived, which this year is divided into two high-level conversations: "Transatlantic Security and Deterrence."
For the first part of the discussion, Mārtiņš Vargulis transatlantic security issues from the NATO perspective will discuss with Baiba Braže, NATO's Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy.
The conversation is available from November 29!
Climate and Energy: Perspectives of the Capital
Riga is "half of Latvia" in terms of population, housing and transport density. It also means significant energy consumption and environmental impact. Why is it essential to think about climate and energy issues in the context of metropolis?
What is Riga's potential for reducing energy consumption, and how do we manage to keep pace with other major European cities? In the exclusive episode of the Riga Security Forum 2021, we will talk to Mārtiņš Staķis, Mayor of Riga!
The conversation will be published on November 26!
Stay tuned!
NATO's OUTLOOK TOWARDS 2030 AND BEYOND
The Latvian Institute of International Affairs in co-operation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia and the NATO Public Diplomacy Division, invites you to the high-level public conference "NATO's OUTLOOK TOWARDS 2030 AND BEYOND". The event will take place on November 30 at the conference center "Fantadroms," Gustava Zemgala gatve 74a, Riga.
The conference will address the process launched at the NATO Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Riga to develop the new Strategic Concept for the Alliance. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia Edgars Rinkēvičs will open the conference, and the NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg will address the audience with a keynote speech. The first part of the event will be devoted to the panel discussions among the Foreign Ministers of NATO member and partner countries. The second part will focus on questions related to the Alliance's challenges, changes in the international security environment, and NATO's partnership policy.
By organizing the conference "NATO's OUTLOOK TOWARDS 2030 AND BEYOND" the LIIA in close collaboration with its partners continuous contributing to the development of an excellent, high-level platform for exchanging views on security policy topicalities promoting mutual understanding and dialogue between policy makers and practitioners, think tanks, academia, youth, and the general public. The conference will also conclude the annual podcast sessions of the Riga Security Forum 2021, which from October to the end of November, reflects on different security environment-related issues.
The conference will be live-streamed online on the websites of the Latvian Institute of International Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia and other international platforms. Further information will follow on the social media accounts of the Latvian Institute of International Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia.
The Latvian Institute of International Affairs invites representatives of the mass media to apply for accreditation for working at the venue. Applicants are kindly asked to fill in the mandatory form https://ej.uz/NATOs_OUTLOOK_30-11. Applications will be accepted until November 26.
For additional questions and inquiries, please contact the Latvian Institute of International Affairs by phone: +371 29231376 or email: sintija.broka@liia.lv.
Next episode: "The (im)probability of European Security Architecture? EU and Russia"
Security Outlooks of the Big Power Era!
In the latest episode of the Riga Security Forum, we will discuss various security perspectives in the age of great powers. The freshest episode to your attention will be available tomorrow!
Insight into podcast panel: "The future of cyberspace(s) and cyber(in)security"
The times are gone when the Internet was an idealistic space where engagement was free from strict governmental oversight and negative side-effects of commercialization. Over the last two decades or so, the technological development has been immense – from personal computers with no internet connection at all or with dial-up or similar ones, towards a web of countless wirelessly interconnected devices indispensable to modern societies.
This episode addresses two broad worrying trends. One is the increased fragmentation of cyberspace, primarily driven by autocracies. China is the best example with its so-called great firewall, behind which almost no western media and social networks are allowed while censorship in the domestic ones is rife. This is not only about China but also about the export of its cyber governance model, as well as surveillance technologies and standards. The future of cyberspace will be primarily shaped by two technological superpowers – the United States and China, as well as their like-minded peers.
The second issue addressed in the episode is the dilemmas of the West, namely the side-effects of the commercialization – disinformation, the spread of hatred, addiction, exaggerated partisanship, etc. Governments are increasingly concerned about how to strike the right balance between individual liberties and common interests. Social media giants and other tech companies come forth with their own rules as they essentially become rule-setters and enforcers. While the European Union lags in terms of domestic tech giants, its market size and buying power give it a considerable say on rules over services provided in the EU and also beyond.
New episode: Climate and energy security: choosing sustainable ways to make the best of it
Watch the next Riga Security Forum 2021 episode: "Climate and energy security: choosing sustainable ways to make the best of it" tomorrow, November 2!
Discussion participants:
- Carole Mathieu, Head of EU Policies, Center for Energy and Climate, IFRI
- Kira Vinke, Head of Center for Climate and Foreign Policy, DGAP
- Edmunds Cepurītis, Chairman of the committee, Riga City Council
Moderator, Reinis Āboltiņš, Energy expert, Ph.D. researcher, RTU.
The times they are a-changin' for the WPS agenda too
Despite the momentum that the concept of gender security has gained internationally through this celebration, stakeholders on the ground remain disappointed with the progress made by the resolution. Among the most critical reasons for the failure of implementation of the agenda: the lack of funds, lack of monitoring and accountability, and lack of coordination of WPS across government bodies, as well as civil society, which plagues both countries actively promoting the agenda (but living in relative conditions of peace) and countries actively combatting violent conflict. The reasons for the slow progress of the WPS agenda are not isolated to governmental factors. The awareness of broader populations is bounded by the absence of knowledge of the importance of inclusive peace processes. There is a limited understanding of WPS as a means to ensure sustainable peace for all. The importance of WPS for men gradually becomes recognized, as women cannot take the responsibility of tackling traditional norms and the marginalization of women alone.
However, the present times also indicate that the WPS agenda itself must become more responsive to the various challenges plaguing the globe. It is largely because of these reasons that the WPS should strive to incorporate more progressive elements into it and overcome the bounds of its mandate. In fact, kept as it is, the WPS will soon be limited to only certain settings which denote "traditional conflict," which is becoming irrelevant in a world where new threats are emerging every day.
One task for the near future is to mainstream fighting climate change-related concerns in the WPS agenda. The understanding of the WPS is intrinsically linked to the concept of human security, which considers our food security, livelihoods, health, and access to wared and shelter as main components of security. Therefore, it is impossible to separate the overarching aim for conditions where people of all genders are treated equally from the socio-economic dimensions that pertain so closely to the fight for maintaining ecology and against climate change. Climate change brings about displacement and an increasingly unjust repartition of resources, which eventually threatens to change our very understanding of peacebuilding and post-conflict normalization processes. And this means that fighting climate change must be done in a gender-responsive way too, as both approaches envision to change society in a way to ensures a lasting adaptation of mindset and practice to the fast-evolving global context.
A clear stress signal is the onset of the global pandemic, inseparable from ecological challenges, creating unprecedented conditions for women's participation in the labor market. The GNWP database shows that Covid-19 underlines the need to build a more just, peaceful, and equitable society. The database documents the various issues affecting women in conflict zones, including increased gender-based violence, increased gender divide (in the labor market, digital, pay), to name only a few factors. Therefore, it is highly relevant that the international and national approaches to WPS factor in the unequal conditions set out by the global pandemic.
Another well know stress factor is migration flows, seeking shelter in more stable regions of the world. The agenda largely scratches the surface of the changes it could bring to the table if it would find ways to incorporate the voices of conflict-affected women fleeing violence. Whereas the WPS includes provisions pertaining to refugees, often, conflict-affected women remain on the periphery of this agenda. This is largely because as soon as the women in question get transferred to zones free of conflict, they are excluded from the outreach of the WPS agenda. This would require a systematic approach of countries that would address the vulnerability of such women, incorporating the provisions of WPS in their national asylum and migration frameworks. However, this would also mean that the UNSC's permanent and rotating members have a special role in ensuring that the matter is raised to sufficient light.
In the near future, the WPS agenda will need to ensure that it stays relevant in the ever-changing security conditions of the globe. These conditions are likely to affect women and minorities more unfavorably. WPS will need to make a convincing case to include women even when the systemic challenges attempt to push them out of the public sphere, back into the private. In this way, the subject will no longer be trivialized as pertaining only to "women's needs" and become a viable tool in the hands of national governments to achieve sustainable, lasting change.
Elizabete Vizgunova, Associate Researcher at the LIIA