International Conference Scheduled for May 11-12 in Riga, Gathering Latvia and African Nations
The second edition of the "Latvia and African Countries: Partners for Peace and Resilience" forum is taking place in Rīga from 11 to 12 May, bringing together over 100 participants, including public officials, members of the civil society sector, businesspeople, and guests from 18 African countries.
The forum, which first took place in 2024, aims to strengthen partnerships between Latvia and African countries to promote peace, resilience, and sustainable development. The event emphasizes cooperation related to peacebuilding, climate resilience, and regional stability, reflecting Latvia's broader development cooperation goals aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The forum's focus this year is on the role of digital solutions in promoting resilience and development, with a particular emphasis on the health sector and strengthening women's digital skills. The publicity materials suggest that the forum will bring together individuals from various sectors to discuss and collaborate on digital solutions for resilience and development, with a focus on the health sector and women's digital skills.
In connection with this forum, an African art exhibition is being held at the Latvian National Museum of Art, showcasing African cultural heritage and contemporary art. The exhibition complements the event by fostering cultural understanding and dialogue between Latvia and African partners, further supporting the themes of peace and resilience through art and cultural exchange.
The participating African countries include Algeria, Egypt, Côte d'Ivoire, Morocco, and Nigeria, among others. However, the forum did not mention any new development cooperation projects established by Latvia in African countries, unlike previous editions which have focused on promoting women and girls' interest in technology and science and facilitating their business activity.
The forum continues to aim to promote bilateral cooperation, particularly in the economy and topics on the international agenda. The event serves as a platform for open discussions and collaboration, contributing to the mutual appreciation and solidarity between Latvia and African countries.
- The government of Latvia, along with EU partners, could consider implementing digital health initiatives focused on women's health in partnership with African nations, to further the objectives of the forum and promote health-and-wellness.
- As technology plays a crucial role in the digital transformation of the health sector, joint efforts between Latvia and African countries could be made to improve women's access to technology and science, benefiting society as a whole.
- Society as a whole could benefit from the collaboration between Latvia and African countries in the field of science and technology, particularly in the areas of health and women's digital skills, as it would contribute to improving wellness, resilience, and overall development.
