PassBlue 161d ago

Sanita Pavļuta-Deslandes, the permanent representative of Latvia to the United Nations, laid out an ambitious agenda for her country’s two-year term in the Security Council, the decision-making arm of the world body. In an exclusive interview with PassBlue that took place inside the chamber where the 15-member council meets daily, Pavļuta-Deslandes said Latvia’s priorities are framed through the lens of the country’s own history, as a small country shaped the struggle for independence. That experience, she said, gives Latvia an understanding of sovereignty, territorial integrity and the rules-based international order enshrined in the UN Charter. Sanita Pavļuta-Deslandes said her country will engage the council members to reinforce the principles of accountability, opposition to impunity and the defense of international law. She said during the two-year term that Latvia will be in the council, her country intends to emphasize the women, peace and security agenda even as the issue becomes contentious for a certain member. Describing Latvia as one of the world’s most gender-equal countries, the ambassador said that sustainable peace and prosperity are impossible without the participation of women. “There are enough women in this world capable of doing this job,” Pavļuta-Deslandes told PassBlue earlier this month while discussing the need to have a woman Secretary-General as the world body searches for a new leader.