The Rīga Conference 2023 is a dynamic hybrid event. It blends a traditional face-to-face meeting with remote streamlined interactions both among speakers and participants, in Latvia and abroad.
The Conference will take place in an intriguingly designed, high tech urban competence site – the National Library of Latvia. It will be held over two consecutive days, October 20 and 21, but please note that the side events will already begin to take place on October 19.
Hybrid event blends traditional face-to-face with remote streamlined interactions among speakers and participants in Latvia and abroad.
October 20, 2023
The National Library of Latvia
10:00 – 11:00
SPECIAL EVENT
Empowering Women: Leading Through Turbulent Times of War
Russia’s brutal war against Ukraine has led to profound change in the lives of women and girls. This has created a series of painful challenges, but at the same time, women's resilience and their leadership have consistently emerged as pillars of strength, determination, and hope. Women's presence and leadership within military institutions, governance, and civil society initiatives have increased and manifested themselves in various ways. Women can empower other women to take positive action and show leadership. From frontline activism to peacebuilding, from humanitarian aid to political leadership, in times of war, women have continually demonstrated their ability to lead with grace and resilience. What are the challenges women face in war-torn environments, and how can they leverage their skills and networks to create positive change? What are the lessons we can learn from navigating the complexities of war? How can women be empowered as catalysts for peace and progress in the most challenging of circumstances?
Irene Fellin, Special Representative for Women, Peace and Security at NATO (online)
Major General Jette Albinus, General Officer Commanding Multinational division North
John Barter, Vice-President of Globsec
Moderator: H.E. Andrejs Pildegovičs, Ambassador at Large for Global and Multilateral Affairs
11:00 – 12:00
SPECIAL EVENT
Breaking Barriers: Women in Combat - the Impact and Challenges of Gender Equality in Warfare
More than 50,000 women are currently part of Ukraine's military response to the Russian invasion, with many serving in combat operations. This brutal Russian war, in which women play a significant role in the resistance of the Ukrainian people, has led us to examine the challenges of integrating women into the armed forces, and their evolving military role. Complex issues relating to gender integration arise as more countries open the door for women to serve in various military roles: promoting an enabling environment for women's military service, and the continuous development of legislation and policies. There is also the question of how gender integration impacts military effectiveness, including physical standards; how this affects unit cohesion and combat readiness; the challenges women face in pursuing careers in combat roles - cultural biases, harassment, and the need for gender-sensitive training. What systems can be put in place to meet challenges faced by women serving in the armed forces? What lessons can be learnt and how can we recognise best practice? What must be done to overcome the gender gap?
LGen Frances Allen, Vice Chief of Defence Staff, Canada
H.E. Rappaport Palgi, Ambassador of Israel to Latvia
Col Liudmyla Kulchytska, Colonel of the Security Service of Ukraine
Vineta Kleine, Head of the NATO Information and Documentation Centre, Kyiv, Ukraine
Moderator: Magdalena Jakubovska, Vice President and Director of Operations at the Res Publica Foundation
12:00 – 13:00
Networking event with WIIS chapters’ representatives, WPS mentorship program representatives and conference participants
THE MAIN PROGRAM OF THE CONFERENCE
12:00 – 13:00
Registration & Coffee
13:00 – 14:00
OPENING SESSION
Opening Discussion
Opening Remarks by President of Latvia H.E. Edgars Rinkēvičs
H.E. Krišjānis Kariņš, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia
Thierry Breton, European Commissioner for Internal Market
Moderator: David A. Andelman, Commentator for CNN
14:00 – 15:00
PLENARY SESSION
Future of European Security in Geopolitically Contested World
For the first time in over 400 years, Europe is no longer the core of global economic security and power. For good or ill, the security landscape of the 21st century is changing, and new geopolitical situation taking shape. For many years, Europeans have talked of ambitious foreign and security policy goals. Safe in the embrace of an increasingly over-stretched America, they've talked the talk, but not walked the walk. It is not a path we can follow anymore. In a geopolitically contested world, the future of European security is as much about Europe's place in the world as it is about its internal security. What role should Europeans aspire to play in our interconnected world? No region is immune from the effects of crisis. What are the implications of these crises for Europe? For too long Europe has been focused on European institution-building. But what role should Europeans play in bringing their experience in building the institutions essential to European peace? If Europe is to be an effective actor in an integrated world, then it will need to generate greater diplomatic, informational, economic, and military power. But what can be done; and to what extent? how can this be organised; to what end? These are urgent questions to which the world is now demanding concrete answers from Europe.
Alexandre Escorcia, Assistant Policy Director for Europe, North America and Multilateral Action at the Ministry of Armed Forces of France (online)
Ian Bond, Director of Foreign Policy at the Centre for European Reform
Joanneke Balfoort, Director, SECDEFPOL DMD - Security and Defence Policy EEAS European External Action Service (online)
Sławomir Dębski, Director of the Polish Institute of International Affairs
Álvaro Imbernón Sáinz, Director of Strategy and Foresight in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation of Spain
Moderator: Bruno Lete, Senior Fellow for Security and Defense at the German Marshall Fund of the United States
15:00 – 15:30
Coffee Break
15:30 – 16:30
PLENARY SESSION
Defending NATO'S Frontline: Military Strategy for Air & Land Defence
Even when defeated in Ukraine, Russia will quickly rethink its strategy, reforge its warfighting means, and remain a strategic threat. NATO leaders are focused on deterrence and defence. We have witnessed the most ambitious NATO adaptation since the end of the Cold War; new strategies and specific NATO plans are ready. Is that enough? What is the next step? What military actions are needed to achieve the political goal of defending 'every inch of Allied territory'? What must NATO do to defend air and land domains in areas where the threat is greatest – NATO's frontline states that share borders with Russia?
Dr Andris Sprūds, Minister of Defence of the Republic of Latvia
Hanno Pevkur, Minister of Defence of the Republic of Estonia
Moderator: Kristīne Bērziņa, Managing Director, GMF North
16:30 – 17:00
Coffee Break
17:00 – 18:00
PLENARY SESSION
Madrid, Vilnius, Washington –Milestones for NATO's Generational Change
NATO's Vilnius Summit reached some promising conclusions: member states were apparently united in their commitment to increase defence spending and modernize defence technologies. They agreed to strengthen the Eastern flank of the Alliance and invite Sweden to join NATO and offered more support for Ukraine. There was also the usual rhetoric about a community of transatlantic values and the need to further synchronize threat perception. However, what was achieved? What will NATO's security and defence posture be in the Baltic Sea region? Will nations respond in time and at scale to Ukraine’s needs? When will Ukraine be offered membership? Above all, when will NATO's New Force Model be realised, given Russia’s longer-term ambitions allied to the need to deal with China in an increasingly challenging geopolitical environment? In 2024, NATO will celebrate its 75th anniversary at a summit in Washington. What concrete decisions must NATO take in DC?
David Cattler, NATO’s Assistant Secretary General for Intelligence and Security
Anna Wieslander, Director for Northern Europe at the Atlantic Council, Head of the Atlantic Council office in Stockholm
Jeremy Shapiro, Research Director, European Council on Foreign Relations (online)
Roderich Kiesewetter, Member of German Parliament, Committee of Foreign Affairs, former General Staff Officer of the Bundeswehr
H.E. Borut Pahor, President of Slovenia 2012-2022
Moderator: Julian Lindley-French, Chair & Founder of TAG – Geopolitics, Strategy and Innovation; Chairman of The Alphen Group
18:00 - 18:30
Coffee Break
18:30 – 19:30
PLENARY SESSION
Old-New Russian Imperialism: Domestic and Foreign Consequences
From the time of the collapse of the Soviet Union to the military invasion in Ukraine, the West overlooked Russian imperialism – blinded as it was by the illusion of eventual democratization and decolonization of former Soviet republics. For the Kremlin, the collapse of the USSR was, in the words of President Putin, the "greatest geopolitical tragedy of the 20th century". Consequently, imperial sentiment has been strengthened internally, and "the natural right" to challenge the liberal world order has been used to justify an aggressive imperial policy externally. This has contributed to the resurgence and vigour of imperialist sentiments, and new approaches to cooperation with other global revanchist powers. What would it take to make Kremlin reconsider these strong, new sentiments? How will the emerging totalitarian ideology impact society and political elites? What will Russia's foreign policy be under the new-old imperialist flag?
Vladimir Milov, Russian Opposition Politician
Mark Galeotti, Director of the Consultancy Firm Mayak Intelligence (online)
Serik Beyssembayev, Director of PaperLab Research Center, Kazakhstan
H.E. Giorgi Badridze, Senior Fellow at the Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies
Marija Golubeva, Head of the Board of the Baltic Initiative on European Reform
Moderator: Max Seddon, Chief of the Financial Times Moscow Bureau
19:30 – 20:30
Dinner
NIGHT OWL SESSIONS
Sessions are held under the “Chatham House Rule”.
20:30 – 21:30
NIGHT OWL SESSIONS
1) In the Contest with Digital Authoritarianism, How Does Freedom Win?
Digital technologies haven't killed authoritarianism – they have made it stronger. The world’s autocrats can now surveil more closely, repress more boldly, and manipulate more fully. While Russia's government uses digital censorship to avoid accountability for its aggression in Ukraine, China is more ambitious and has goals beyond retaining domestic control. It adeptly leverages its influence to promote a global totalitarian model of the digital future, and there is no shortage of takers. Meanwhile, the West has been slow to realize and accept the challenge and is now scrambling to oppose AI-powered surveillance, internet censorship, advanced information manipulation, and other advances of digital authoritarianism. Europe is a leader in digital regulation and its push for value-based digital partnerships as part of the Global Gateway initiative is potentially a game-changer. But still, it has trouble competing with China's offer. The global internet freedom championed by the West has been in decline for over a decade now. In the digital domain, open societies and autocracies are not just protecting their values and ideas; they are in a power struggle that will shape the world's future. In a world where autocracy has gone digital, how do freedom and democracy stand their ground and win?
Rebecca Arcesati, Lead Analyst at the Mercator Institute for China Studies
Patrick Boehler, Acting Head of Innovation and Audience Engagement at the Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty Inc.
Edward Lucas, Non-Resident Senior Fellow and Senior Adviser at the Center for European Policy Analysis
Grigory Okhotin, Russian Journalist and Human Rights Activist
Moderator: Viktors Makarovs, Special Envoy on Digital Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia
2) Are We Ready? Building a Prepared Nation
Just a few years ago, border strongholds, conscription, whole-of-government and societal “preparedness for war” seemed like relicts of a bygone era. Now many see them as essential elements for the sustainable development of any country facing a disproportionate threat. How can democracies under threat implement best practices from across the globe and learn from historical lessons to build a nation prepared for war – war that would be waged by both military and non-military means?
Hanna Malyar, Former Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine from 2021 to 2023
Ingmārs Pūķis, LMT Vice President for Marketing and Business Development, Board Member
Mārtiņš Kazāks, President of the Bank of Latvia
Moderator: Jānis Garisons, State Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Latvia
3) Belarus In Focus: Regional Concerns and Complex Solutions
Belarus is an increasing cause of concern for its neighbouring countries. Situated at the crossroads of Europe, it has become increasingly dependent on Moscow and Putin's regime, both economically and militarily. This raises doubts about the viability of its national sovereignty. Belarus has allowed a significant increase in Russian military presence on its soil, including tactical nuclear weapons, and has provided shelter for part of the Wagner military organization after the mutiny led by Prigozhin in June 2023. Belarus becoming an extension of Russian military command and control raised questions about the threat it poses to its neighbouring nations and the West. Additionally, Belarus has used migration as a cover to carry out highly organized and strategically timed human trafficking campaigns against its neighbours Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland for almost two years. There are concerns that Russia could drive Belarus into the conflict with Ukraine and the wider West. Domestic factors affecting Belarus and its regional and international interactions must be scrutinized. By evaluating the country's military capabilities, economic situation, and diplomatic options, it is possible to assess to what extent Belarus intends to continue its provocative actions and gauge the potential threat it may pose to its neighbours. What are the goals of the dictatorial President Lukashenka and what does he hope to achieve by involving himself in the Russian power struggle? How long can Belarus maintain its sovereignty in the face of Russia's territorial ambitions and its imperial desires?
Lt Col Valery Sakhashchyk, Representative on National Security and Defense at the The United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus
Prof Elena Korosteleva, Professor of Politics and Global Sustainable Development, IGSD, University of Warwick, Co-Founder of the Oxford Belarus Observatory
David Cattler, NATO’s Assistant Secretary General for Intelligence and Security
Moderator: Alena Kudzko, Director of the GLOBSEC Policy Institute
October 21, 2023
The National Library of Latvia
8:00 – 9:00
Registration & Morning Coffee
9:00 – 10:00
PLENARY SESSION
A Comprehensive Strategy for the Secure Ukraine
Russia is inflicting a war on Ukraine: a war in which Ukraine cannot prevail alone. There is also the question of how future peace can be achieved and maintained. War-torn Ukraine is desperately seeking accession to both the EU and NATO, or at least a chance to begin the process. An embattled Kyiv is fighting on many fronts. It is fighting for its survival and at the same time having to prove to its partners that it can transform itself through numerous, measurable reforms that members of the Alliance or Union would find difficult to implement even in peacetime. In time, Ukraine will need reconstruction, and its impressively resilient society made even more resilient. Kyiv is being offered a raft of assistance mechanisms, support strategies, and financial and political support networks. Ukraine's partners acknowledge that Kyiv is fighting this war as much for the values of the West as for its own survival. Therefore, what would a comprehensive strategy for a secure Ukraine require? What are the means needed by Ukraine and its partners to achieve the desired end - a stable and secure Ukraine? What must the EU and NATO do above and beyond current commitments? And if this support fails, what then?
Maria Mezentseva, Head of the Permanent Delegation of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to the PACE
Dr Hanna Shelest, Director of Security Programmes at the Foreign Policy Council “Ukrainian Prism”
H.E. Martin Harris, Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Ukraine
Moderator: Robin Shepherd, Executive Director, GLOBSEC
10:00 – 10:30
Coffee Break
10:30 – 11:30
PLENARY SESSION
How Will Power Shifts In The Indo-pacific Impact Transatlantic Community?
In the future, the name of the game in international security and international relations at large will be competition - amongst global, regional, and emerging powers. Much of the focus is rightly on China and Russia but patterns of interaction among the dominant players are constantly changing. If the West is to engage effectively in the wider Indo-Pacific, it must better understand the dynamics therein. There are a range of emerging economic and military powers – these include Australia, India, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam - each with their individual, regional and international security concerns. There are numerous disputes which could impact international security, most notably tensions in the Korean Peninsula and across the Straits of Taiwan. What are the main security concerns in this region and what should the West, specifically, do about it?
Prof. Tosh Minohara, Professor, Kobe University, Chairman, Research Institute for Indo-Pacific Affairs (online)
David Merkle, Advisor for China and Southeast Asia Konrad Adenauer Foundation
H.E. Baiba Braže, Ambassador for Special Assignments, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia
Peter Jennings, Director of Strategic Analysis Australia (online)
Moderator: Stuart Lau, EU-China Correspondent for POLITICO Europe
11:30 – 12:00
Coffee Break
12:00 – 13:00
PLENARY SESSION
New Defence Industry
The brutal Russian war in Ukraine has caused tectonic change in political direction and spearheaded a boost in European defence capabilities. This has included industrial restructuring, a rapid surge in technological progress, and a rapid shift towards collaborative efforts between government and the private sector in the defence industry. However, it has exposed the limited capacity of domestic industry to deliver the necessary equipment in time. It has also led to the rethinking of national ambitions and the role of the EU and NATO, and the creation of new formats of cooperation. The Russo-Ukrainian war has created a need for both conventional weaponry stocks and the integration of new technologies, which requires the proactive involvement of the private sector. European military industries are a point where nations's political ambitions and real manufacturing capacity meet. There needs to be a change in the culture of cooperation with SMEs, and much faster introduction and integration of innovations into our defence forces.
Camille Grand, Distinguished Policy Fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations
Tobias Winkler, Member of the German Bundestag
Natalia Pouzyreff, Member of the Defence Committee of the National Assembly of France
Kaspars Pollaks, Head of Business Defence & Public Safety at LMT
Moderator: Michal Baranowski, East & Regional Director at the German Marshal Fund
13:00 – 14:00
Lunch Break
14:00 – 15:00
PLENARY SESSION
How Not to Lose the Information War Blinded by the Short-Term Victories?
With hindsight, in the run-up to its full-scale war in Ukraine, the Kremlin failed on the information battlefield. It failed to surprise, to create doubt, to distract, or to gain other tactical advantage. However, over the past two years global sanctions have not stopped the Russian regime from pouring more resources into its disinformation machine, and its impact has become more global as it targets audiences far beyond the Euro-Atlantic. This is part of a long-term strategy that leverages war-news fatigue in Russia’s favour, raises the cost of living, and changes political landscapes in liberal democracies. Kremlin-backed information soldiers continue to slowly poison people’s perception through dosed disinformation and manipulation. The panel discussion will pose the following questions: Is the West ready for the long game? Have our states and societies become more psychologically prepared to face the threats of disinformation since Russia's full-scale invasion? Can we afford to delay dealing with other authoritarian actors active in the disinformation environment until Russia is held at bay? How can the West leverage the know-how of states with extensive experience in tackling disinformation? These states include Ukraine, the Baltic states and Poland, which have long raised the alarm about Russia’s malicious ambitions, backed by its TTPs of disinformation to implement them.
Karl Stoltz, Deputy Coordinator at the US State Department’s Global Engagement Center
Jānis Sārts,Director of the NATO Strategic Communication Centre of Excellence
Rihards Bambals, Head of Strategic Communication, State Chancellery of Latvia
Jurgis Vilčinskas, Deputy Head of Strategic Communications and Information Analysis, European External Action Service
Anayit Khoperiya, Acting Deputy Head of the Centre for Countering Disinformation, National Security and Defence Council, Ukraine
Moderator: Anastasia Stognei, Correspondent of the Financial Times covering Russia
15:00 – 15:30
Coffee Break
15:30 – 16:30
PLENARY SESSION
Will Europe Face Wartime Economy?
Russia's invasion of Ukraine has changed the international security environment. The war has directly impacted European defence, trade and energy, and other policies. For almost every European country, population ageing, decarbonization and defence exert fiscal pressure on public spending. Unprecedented inflation together with growing demands on governments have required an economic regime change in Europe. Public expenditure is growing, including the cost of military, social and economic assistance to Ukraine. How targeted is the assistance provided to Ukraine by the EU and NATO? What are the objectives of this assistance? Can sanctions stop the aggressor? If the objective is not to clearly stop the invader, then sooner or later we will face the prospect of a wartime economy, requiring a fundamental change of modus operandi in our economic policies.
Arvils Ašeradens, Minister of Finance of the Republic of Latvia
Paschal Donohoe, Minister for Public Expenditure of Ireland, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform of Ireland, President of the Eurogroup (online)
Ieva Tetere, Chief Executive Officer at the SEB Banka Latvia
Benjamin Haddad, Expert in European politics and transatlantic relations (online)
Mame Fatou Diagne, Head of Division in the Economics Department of the OECD
Miguel Otero Iglesias, Senior Analyst at the Elcano Royal Institute and Professor at IE School of Global and Public Affairs (online)
Moderator: Alan Riley, Nonresident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council
16:30 – 17:00
Coffee Break
17:00 – 18:00
PLENARY SESSION
Defending Principles of the UN Charter in the Age of Disorder
In 1954, UN Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld wrote in his diary: "Blood, grime, sweat, earth—where are these in your world of will? Everywhere—the ground from which the flame ascends straight upwards." Instead of aggression, the UN Charter highlights the sovereign equality of all states, collective measures, peaceful settlement of disputes and respect for international law as concepts crucial for effective multilateralism. Nevertheless, the international community is divided on the issue of Russian aggression against Ukraine – a breach of the principles and norms of international law by a permanent member of the UN Security Council. What is the way forward? How can we protect the fundamental values of the United Nations Charter? Can justice be restored? Ultimately - can the UN be reformed?
Richard Gowan, Director of the International Crisis Group at the United Nations
Regis Brillat, Senior Advisor for the follow-up of the 4th Summit of the Council of Europe DGI Human Rights and Rule of Law
Dr Vaira Vīķe Freiberga, Former President of the Republic of Latvia
María Fernanda Espinosa, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ecuador and 73rd President of the United Nations General Assembly
Moderator: Dr Gunda Reire, Head of the Chancery of the President of Latvia