Latvian Deputy State Secretary for Economic Relations Ivita Burmistre participated in an OECD conference in Paris on May 11–12, 2026, to discuss the future of development cooperation. The discussions focused on the strategic and efficient use of available resources amidst shifting geopolitical security environments and the necessity of adapting cooperation approaches.
The conference, held in Paris, France, brought together international policymakers to address the evolving requirements of global development assistance. As geopolitical tensions continue to reshape international relations, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has emphasized the need for development frameworks that remain effective despite increasing security volatility and resource constraints.
Strategic Adaptation in Volatile Security Contexts
A central theme of the two-day summit was the requirement for development cooperation to move away from static models toward more adaptive strategies. Speaking at the event, Ivita Burmistre, the Deputy State Secretary for Economic Relations at the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, argued that the current global environment demands a more agile approach to aid and partnership.
Burmistre emphasized that modern development cooperation must be flexible, purposeful and based on long-term partnerships
. She noted that in an era defined by limited resources and a rapidly changing security landscape, the strategic allocation of assets is no longer optional but a necessity for maintaining impact. The discussions suggested that for development goals to remain achievable, institutions must be able to pivot their methods to account for sudden shifts in regional stability and geopolitical alignments.
The focus on efficiency was not merely about cost-cutting but about maximizing the utility of every unit of aid. This involves ensuring that resources are directed toward areas where they can provide the most significant long-term stability, rather than being absorbed by the immediate, reactive costs of managing crises.
Latvian Contributions to Ukrainian Recovery
The conference provided a platform for Latvia to detail its specific commitments to international stability, particularly regarding the reconstruction of Ukraine. During the sessions, Burmistre and representatives from the Central Finance and Contracts Agency (CFLA), including Director Anita Krūmiņa and Dana Heiberga, highlighted the specific sectors where Latvian assistance is currently concentrated.
Latvia’s support for Ukraine has prioritized the restoration of essential social infrastructure. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Latvian-led projects are actively addressing needs within the health and education sectors. These initiatives are designed to support both the institutional framework of the Ukrainian state and the immediate needs of the population. Particular attention is being paid to supporting vulnerable groups who have been most affected by the ongoing conflict.
By focusing on health and education, Latvia’s strategy aligns with broader OECD goals of building resilient societies that can withstand the socio-economic shocks of war. The involvement of the CFLA underscores the technical and financial rigor applied to these reconstruction efforts, ensuring that aid is managed through structured, transparent channels.
Diplomatic Alignment with OECD Leadership
The participation of Latvian officials in Paris served to solidify the country’s position within the OECD’s specialized development structures. During the conference, Burmistre and the CFLA delegation met with high-ranking OECD officials, including Carsten Staur, the Chair of the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC), and Pilar Garrido Gonzalo, the Director of the OECD Development Co-operation Directorate.
These meetings focused on current development challenges and the ongoing integration of Latvia into the DAC framework. Latvia’s presence in these high-level discussions is a continuation of its recent ascent within the organization. On March 19, 2025, Latvia officially became the 33rd member of the OECD Development Assistance Committee, a body that serves as the primary international forum for setting standards and best practices in development cooperation.
Latvia’s membership in the DAC allows the nation to influence international development norms and align its foreign policy priorities with global standards. This institutional integration follows a period of rigorous evaluation, as OECD experts conducted assessments of Latvia’s development cooperation system throughout the early months of 2025. As a DAC member, Latvia now operates within a collective that shapes how market-based democracies coordinate their efforts to address global economic and social challenges.
