Latvia- Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Development Assistance Committee (DAC) experts visited Latvia from November 19-21, 2024, to evaluate Latvia’s development cooperation system. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted the delegation as part of Latvia’s ongoing application to join the OECD DAC, which began in April 2024 and will conclude in early 2025.
The experts engaged with diverse stakeholders across Latvia, meeting representatives from government ministries, the Saeima, and civil society organizations. Their discussions covered Latvia’s development cooperation priorities, both geographic and thematic, along with its integration into foreign policy. The talks also explored connections with climate action, economic growth, education, digital transformation, and gender equality initiatives.
The OECD delegation noted how the extensive meetings with Latvian institutions provided deep insights into the country’s development cooperation approach. These interactions helped identify areas where Latvia can enhance the DAC’s work, while pinpointing specific aspects that would benefit from OECD guidance.
Looking ahead to early 2025, OECD experts will release their assessment of Latvia’s development cooperation system. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will then present Latvia’s development cooperation achievements and membership rationale to current DAC members, who will subsequently vote on Latvia’s admission.
Joining the DAC will strengthen Latvia’s international partnerships, particularly in supporting Ukraine and other Eastern Partnership nations, alongside Central Asian countries. This membership opens new channels for collaboration with 32 fellow DAC nations and creates opportunities to refine Latvia’s development cooperation practices through OECD expertise and peer learning.
Latvia’s development cooperation strategy for 2021-2027 encompasses both bilateral and multilateral initiatives. The country focuses its assistance on Eastern Partnership members (Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine, and Belarus), Central Asian nations (Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan), African countries, and least developed regions. This work aims to boost sustainable social and economic progress in partner countries and their communities.
