Fixing the Planet for Future Generations: Latvia’s Perspective

Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš of the Republic of Latvia will speak on
Fixing the Planet for Future Generations: Latvia’s Perspective

COVID-19 is the greatest challenge our countries individually and collectively face. The pandemic has exacerbated traditional security threats and has cast a spotlight on the fragility of democracy and non-traditional threats. Issues like disinformation and vulnerabilities in the global supply chain of essential goods stress the necessity for closer cooperation between the Transatlantic partners.

Our future depends on our ability as like-minded partners to become increasingly resilient. Working together allows us greater ability to adapt to the ever-changing global environment. Today we face risks and complexities of great magnitude, like climate change, technological advancement, and economic globalization. By taking a coordinated approach, we can successfully solve for the best outcomes.

The EU and the US are the closest allies, sharing the same fundamental values of freedom, democracy, and security. The EU and the US have the largest bilateral trade and investment relations in the world. Our economies combined account for about half the entire world GDP and for nearly a third of world trade flows. This organic economic and security alliance has overcome previous challenges and has the capacity to solve current and future uncertainties.

During this lecture, Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš will address how COVID-19 has given the world a chance to transform the mindset and develop a more sustainable political and economic system by leveraging new technologies.

The Prime Minister will be introduced by Vice Provost and University Librarian Michael Keller. The lecture will be followed by a Q&A session moderated by Michael McFaul, Director of Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies and Ken Olivier and Angela Nomellini Professor of International Studies.