The Riga Conference "Transforming NATO in a New Global Era", November 27- 29

November 27-29, 2006
Riga, Latvia

As has become recent tradition at NATO summits, a high-level conference of international policy experts will be held simultaneously during the NATO Riga Summit.

From November 27 to November 29, 2006, senior policymakers, influential opinion shapers, and prominent academics will gather in Riga with an intense program of public and private discussions to explore the issues at the heart of transatlantic agenda and relevant to the global community.

The conference is being organised jointly by the Latvian Transatlantic Organization, the Strategic Analysis Commission under the Auspices of the President of Latvia, and the German Marshall Fund of the United States. The President of Latvia is the patroness of the conference.

The conference’s signature format will allow for free-flowing discussions that advance policy.  Those sessions will be accompanied by important keynote addresses from senior leaders. Latvian President Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga, who is also host of the NATO Summit, will address the conference and participate in many of its events. Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, the NATO Secretary-General, will also address the conference. NATO heads of state and government representatives have also being invited to participate, and the organizers anticipate that the conference will close with a special session involving heads of NATO member delegations.

 The conference is designed to foster a serious dialogue on NATO’s continuing transformation and changing role in this new global era. Particular emphasis will be placed on NATO’s innovative outreaches, including its growing global partnerships and its long-term plans for enlargement. The conference will also delve into NATO’s critical role in energy security. A special series of private breakout sessions will offer free discussion on such issues as NATO’s operations in Afghanistan, its contributions in the Balkans, and its relations with Russia.
 
The President of Latvia will host a dinner on Monday, November 27, to open the conference. Conference discussions will begin that same night with off-the-record “Night Owl” sessions, which are limited to conference participants. The conference continues on November 28 and 29 with a program that alternates between open public discussions and private breakouts.  The conference will conclude with the special session for addresses to the participants by NATO heads of delegation.

There will be media coverage on a “space available basis” for the public sessions of the conference.  Details of media coverage are still being developed and will be released as soon as they are available.

For more information, please contact: LATO, Ms Iveta Kruma,
Tel.: +371  2 9498361  Fakss: +371 7106214  E-mail: iveta@lato.lv