THE RĪGA CONFERENCE 2026

SIDE EVENTS

SEPTEMBER 9th, 2026

Public-Sector Resilience and Multi-Level Governance

The side event is organised in cooperation with the University of Latvia.

Venue: University of Latvia, Aspazijas bulv.5

 

Democratic resilience depends not only on strong national institutions, but also on their ability to adapt, coordinate and continue delivering essential services under pressure. Crises often expose gaps between different levels of government, unclear legal mandates and tensions between rapid decision-making and democratic accountability. Drawing on the experiences of small states and wartime Ukraine, this side event will examine how legal frameworks, political responsibility and multi-level governance can strengthen public-sector resilience. How can national, regional and local authorities ensure institutional continuity while maintaining democratic oversight? What enables effective coordination and adaptation during crises? And what lessons can democratic societies draw from institutions operating under exceptional pressure? The comparative perspectives of Latvia, Lithuania and Taiwan will form the central framework of the event based on the results of the international research project “Patterns of Penetration to Democratic Systems from Authoritarian Regimes: comparative analysis of local representation in Lithuania, Latvia, and Taiwan” 2024-2027).

10:00 - 14:00

Session is led by prof. Iveta Reinholde, Vice-Dean for Research (Science) at the University of Latvia Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences

SEPTEMBER 10th, 2026

Enhancing India–Latvia Cooperation in a Changing Global Environment

The side event is organised in cooperation with the Movastacon Foundation.

Venue: Mazā aula. University of Latvia. Raiņa bulv. 19.

 

Geopolitical fragmentation, shifting supply chains and rapid technological change are creating new opportunities for closer cooperation between India and Latvia. The discussion will explore how both countries can translate shared interests into practical partnerships in trade, investment, technology, cybersecurity, energy, logistics, education and research. Which areas offer the greatest potential, and what institutional links are needed to build a sustained and mutually beneficial relationship?

9:00- 10:00

  • H.E. Namrata S. Kumar, Ambassador of India to Latvia
  • Maj. Gen Sanjay Soi (Retd.), Executive Director at the Centre for Defence Analysis and Homeland Security Research (CDAHSR), a unit of Movastacon Foundation
  • Sigita Struberga, Secretary General of Latvian Transatlantic Organisation
  • Dr. Sandis Šrāders, Director of RTU Liepāja Academy
  • Moderator: Mohit Srivastava, President of the Movastacon Foundation

Resilience and Gender Perspective

The side event is organised in cooperation with organisation "Women for Security"

Venue: Mazā aula. University of Latvia. Raiņa bulv. 19.

 

Resilience is often assessed through the capacity of institutions, infrastructure and defence systems to withstand disruption. Yet crises are experienced unevenly. Policies that overlook gendered differences in exposure to risk, access to information and resources, care responsibilities, economic security and participation in decision-making may reproduce vulnerabilities rather than reduce them. A gender perspective is therefore not an additional component of resilience policy, but an analytical and operational tool for strengthening situational awareness, preparedness and crisis response. Which gendered assumptions remain embedded in existing resilience frameworks? What evidence, institutional mechanisms and accountability are required to move from formal commitments to operational practice? How can governments institutionalise cooperation with civil society while retaining public responsibility? And what can European democracies learn from Ukraine about mobilising the full capacity of society under sustained pressure?

10:30-11:30

  • Dr. Ieva Birka, Researcher, University of Latvia
  • Dr. Tamara Zlobina, Head of the NGO “Expert Resource Gender in Detail”
  • Sigita Struberga, Head of the Board, Women for Security, Secretary General of the Latvian Transatlantic Organisation
  • Leonie Stamm, Research Fellow at the German Council on Foreign Relations
  • Maj. Corey Anhorn, TFL’s Human Dimensions Officer, the Canadian Armed Forces
  • Moderator: Jonathan Berkshire Miller, Senior Fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute

Beyond the Frontline: Building a Secure and Connected Black Sea Region

Sponsored by Delphi Global Research Center, USA

Venue: Mazā aula. University of Latvia. Raiņa bulv. 19.

 

The Black Sea is no longer simply the backdrop to Russia's war against Ukraine—it has become a strategic hub where military security, economic resilience, energy networks, and geopolitical competition converge. This panel will examine how the United States, NATO, the European Union, and regional partners can develop an integrated approach that strengthens deterrence, supports Ukraine's victory and recovery, protects critical infrastructure, and advances regional connectivity from the Baltic to the Black Sea and beyond.

12:00-13:00

  • Vadim Chernysh, Kyiv Center for Security Studies, Ukraine

  • Robert Hamilton, President, Delphi Global Research Center, USA

  • Antonia Colibasanu, Senior Fellow, NSC Romania

  • Moderator: Maia Otarashvili, Vice President, Delphi Global Research Center, USA

SEPTEMBER 11th, 2026

Democracy Under Pressure: Armenia’s Elections and the Challenge of Foreign Interference.

The discussion in organised in cooperation with International Practitioners’ Partnership Network (PractNet).
Venue: The Rīga Conference Venue

 

Foreign interference and democratic processes in Armenia. The context of the Parliamentary elections in June 2026 Geopolitical, recent developments and internal political situation of Armenia made the preparatory processes and the campaign phase of the parliamentary elections in Armenia especially intriguing for malign interference.  What are the acknowledgments on the FIMI attempts from Armenia to consider following the developments in Caucasus region? What is the situation of societal resilience in the ongoing interference attempts? What are the lessons learned that the Baltic countries and the entire EU partner countries should and could consider and be aware of to be better prepared and protect their democratic institutions?  The panel is offering the Armenian and international experts’ insights from working in that context for strengthening the Armenian information space, situation awareness, institutional and societal resilience for malign influence.

8:30-9:30

  • Gayane Abrahamyan, President, "For Equal Rights" Educational Center NGO
  • Arsen Kharatyan, Founder, AliQ Media
  • Moderator: Rainer Saks, PractNet Security and Intelligence Expert and Former Head of the Estonian Foreign Intelligence Service