Flickr
From 22 to 24 June 2026, Ambassador Elita Kuzma, Permanent Observer of the Republic of Latvia to the Organization of American States (OAS), participated in the 56th Regular Session of the OAS General Assembly, held in Panama City, Republic of Panama, under the overarching theme “Firm Multilateralism in Defense of Democracy: Hemispheric Security and Stability in the American States.”
On Monday, 22 June, Ambassador Kuzma attended the opening session of the 56th OAS General Assembly, where remarks were delivered by the President of the Republic of Panama, José Raúl Mulino, and the OAS Secretary General, Albert Ramdin. Both officials emphasized the importance of regional cooperation in effectively addressing shared challenges, including rapid technological development, tensions in the global economy, inequality, natural disasters, organized crime, and migration, as well as in strengthening democracy and promoting peace, security, and prosperity throughout the Western Hemisphere. On the margins of the opening session, Ambassador Kuzma met with the United States Permanent Representative to the OAS, Ambassador Leandro Rizzuto Jr., as well as with representatives of other OAS Member States and Permanent Observer delegations.
On Tuesday, 23 June, Ambassador Kuzma participated in the Dialogue of Heads of Delegation of Member States, the Secretary General, and the Assistant Secretary General with Heads of Delegation of Permanent Observer States. In Latvia’s written statement, Latvia emphasized the important role of the OAS in fostering dialogue and strengthening cooperation in response to emerging security challenges. As a Permanent Observer to the Organization, Latvia has contributed to OAS programmes that strengthen peace, security, democratic values, and gender equality. The statement also highlighted that Latvia, as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2026–2027 term, is committed to strengthening cooperation with regional organizations, including the OAS, and to advancing initiatives aimed at reinforcing international peace and security and ensuring that the defense of the rules-based international order remains at the core of collective efforts.
On Wednesday, 24 June, Ambassador Kuzma participated in the high-level strategic dialogue organized by the Inter-American Commission of Women entitled “Sustainability of International Cooperation for Gender Equality in the Americas,” which brought together representatives of international organizations, civil society, and partner states to discuss the promotion of gender equality and women’s rights in the Americas.
In addition to her participation in the General Assembly sessions, the Ambassador held several bilateral meetings with representatives of OAS Member States, including the Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Barbados, Donna Forde, and the Ambassador of Barbados to the OAS, Victor Fernandes; the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Guyana, Hugh Hilton Todd; the Executive Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and International Relations of Belize, Ambassador Oscar Arnold; the Ambassador of Suriname to the OAS, Marlon F. Mohamed-Hussein; and the Director of the Department of Regional Integration of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil, Ambassador Daniela Arruda Benjamin, as well as representatives of the delegation of Mexico. The discussions focused on current regional and global developments, including the situation in the Western Hemisphere and Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, and reaffirmed a shared interest in strengthening cooperation both bilaterally and within the framework of the OAS.
At the conclusion of the visit, Ambassador Kuzma expressed appreciation to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Panama, Javier Martínez-Acha Vásquez, and to the Ambassador of Panama to the OAS, Ana Irene Delgado, for the successful organization of the 56th OAS General Assembly.