Association of Consular Corps in Latvia

The FICAC (World Federation of Consuls) 2024 Eurasian Regional Conference, at the Sheraton Astana Hotel, set the stage for impactful dialogue and international collaboration. The event began with opening speeches from H.E. Alibek Kuantyrov, Deputy Minister for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, FICAC President Hon. Nikolaos Margaropoulos, and Hon. Denis Van den Weghe, Chairman of the Society of Honorary Consuls in Kazakhstan. Several insightful presentations showcased the country’s strategic advantages as an emerging hub for investment across various sectors: Mr. Gabidulla Ospankulov, the Deputy Governor (Akim) at West Kazakhstan Regional Government delivered a compelling presentation on Kazakhstan as an increasingly attractive destination for foreign, long-term investors. H.E. Kanat Sharlapaev, Minister of Industry and Construction of Kazakhstan offered an in-depth analysis of Kazakhstan’s mining sector, focusing on its wealth of rare earth metals—a strategic asset in the global tech industry. Mr. @Yermek Kenzhekhanuly, Vice Minister of Agriculture explored Kazakhstan’s advancements in agriculture, particularly the integration of artificial intelligence to optimize farming practices through modern, sustainable agricultural techniques. Mr. Kairat Sadvakassov from "Kazakh Tourism" National Company" JSC Tourism, outlined the country’s rise as a burgeoning tourist destination. Mr. Raimbek Batalov, Chairman of the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs "Atameken," emphasized Kazakhstan’s strategic approach of pursuing long-term partnerships over short-term gains. Mr. Timur Onzhanov, Deputy Chairman of the Baiterek National Managing Holding , discussed the accessibility and diversity of Kazakhstan’s financial market, from Islamic finance to cryptocurrencies and green finance. Mr. Nurlan Zhakupov, Chairman of "SAMRUK-KAZYNA," highlighted the government’s initiatives to support SMEs, which are vital to the country’s economic fabric.

A major highlight of the 2024 Eurasian Conference in Astana, during FICAC (World Federation of Consuls)'s visit to the Nazarbayev University, was the thought-provoking roundtable discussion on “Knowledge Diplomacy: The Role of International Higher Education in the New Geopolitical Era.” This session brought to light the increasing role that educational institutions play in shaping international diplomacy, particularly in an era of rapidly evolving geopolitical landscapes. The speakers Chun-Young Park, Caress Schenk, and our very own Hon. Philipp Khanin (Honorary Consul of the Republic of Fiji in the North West Region of the Russian Federation) explored how higher education can act as a platform for fostering international cooperation, policy development, and cross-cultural dialogue. Following this enlightening discussion, FICAC’s traditional training sessions focused on equipping honorary consuls with the tools and insights needed to navigate modern diplomacy. Esteemed FICAC (World Federation of Consuls) directors led sessions on several key topics: The Role of Honorary Consuls in Developing Commercial Relations – Hon. Karim Qubain (Honorary Consul of Japan to Honduras) underscored honorary consuls' vital role in facilitating international trade and commercial relations. His presentation highlighted the consuls’ ability to act as bridge-builders between nations, promoting economic growth and fostering sustainable business partnerships. Artificial Intelligence as a Tool for Honorary Consuls – Hon. Paolo Tricotti (Honorary Consul of Chile to Monaco) discussed the growing role of AI in diplomacy. He demonstrated how emerging technologies can empower consuls to serve their countries better, enhance diplomatic communications, and provide innovative solutions to complex global challenges. Women in Diplomacy – Hon. Gonul Oray Eken (Honorary Consul of Saint Kitts and Nevis to Turkey) brought attention to the increasing participation of women in the diplomatic arena. She outlined the challenges and opportunities that women face in diplomacy and emphasized the importance of gender equity for stronger international relations. Importance of Training for Diplomatic Excellence – Hon. @Louis Vella  (Honorary Consul of Malta to the USA) highlighted the need for continuous professional development. He stressed that the evolving nature of diplomacy demands ongoing training to ensure that honorary consuls are well-equipped to handle modern diplomatic challenges with confidence and expertise. These sessions reflected FICAC (World Federation of Consuls)’s commitment to professional development, offering participants invaluable insights into global trends in diplomacy. The interactive format encouraged dialogue and the sharing of ideas, ensuring that attendees were left with not only enhanced knowledge but also a sense of renewed purpose in their diplomatic roles.

FICAC (World Federation of Consuls) signs an Agreement with Nazarbayev University! In a move demonstrating FICAC (World Federation of Consuls)’s commitment to global cooperation beyond traditional diplomacy, the delegation proceeded to Nazarbayev University to sign a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This agreement, signed by Hon. Nikolaos Margaropoulos and University President Mr. Waqar Ahmad, symbolizes a groundbreaking partnership to foster long-term collaboration between FICAC and the academic community. The MoU focuses on promoting education, research, and knowledge exchange with a particular emphasis on environmental sustainability and sustainable development. By tapping into Nazarbayev University’s academic expertise, FICAC aims to contribute to the global conversation on addressing climate change, reducing socio-economic disparities, and promoting innovative solutions for sustainable development. #FICAC, #NazerbayevUniversity, #MoU, #diplomacy, #globalcooperation, #climatechange, #sustainability, #collaboration, #sustainabledevelopment, #innovation

💡 Today, FICIL members and key public sector representatives met during the first day of FICIL's 28th High Council to discuss Latvia’s long-term development strategy. 💻 The day kicked off with an insightful discussion after a presentation by Gatis Ozols and Ilze Osa from Viedās administrācijas un reģionālās attīstības ministrija on topics such as municipal governance, administrative burden, territorial administrative reform, digitalisation and data governance. Investors were keen to hear more information on issues like digital security, introduction of e-invoice system and regional development. ✅ Later four dedicated working groups noted key priorities for the Latvia's long-term development strategies by looking from different thematic angles: 👥 People & Society 📈 Economy 🤝 Governance 🌳 Environment & Infrastructure. Tomorrow, we will convene with the Cabinet of Ministers to talk about these priorities, as well as, to reflect on the challenges that investors are facing. The discussions produced great ideas for Latvia's long-term development strategy. In addition, today FICIL has published 6️⃣ position papers on the following topics: future public administration, human capital, investment protection, combatting the shadow economy, sustainable for the future, economic development of Latvia for all. You can access them here - https://lnkd.in/egBGVaz Special thanks to Ignitis Group Latvija (Baiba Lace) and Tech Mahindra (Palash Jain) for supporting today's event. #Latvia #PublicAdministration #Sustainable #Governance #LongTermStrategy

World Federation of Consuls (FICAC) and ICC Sign Agreement to Enhance Global Cooperation FICAC (World Federation of Consuls) of Consuls is pleased to announce that on August 29th, a FICAC delegation, led by President Hon. Nikolaos Margaropoulos, along with President Emeritus Hon. Aykut Eken and Hon. STELIO CAMPANALE, FICAC Director and member of the Legal Committee, signed a Partnership Agreement with the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). The agreement was signed in the presence of ICC Chairman and Secretary General Mr. John W.H. Denton AO, ICC Deputy Director for Global Partnerships Mr. Gabriel Petrus , ICC Chief of Staff Mr. Davide Cichero and ICC Head of National Committees Engagement Mrs. Caroline MacDonald. This strategic collaboration reflects a shared commitment to advancing global trade and economic diplomacy, further enhancing the role of consular officers in promoting international cooperation. FICAC is confident that this partnership will amplify the impact of our collective efforts to promote international trade as a driver of sustainable prosperity. Together, FICAC and the ICC will work to strengthen the channels of economic diplomacy and further support the vital role of consular officers in building bridges between nations and fostering global understanding. This partnership is a testament to the value of collaborative action in addressing the challenges and opportunities of an increasingly interconnected world, and we look forward to the positive outcomes it will bring for the international community. FICAC expresses its deep appreciation to Hon. A. Cameron McKenzie-Hertell, whose leadership and dedication were crucial in achieving this agreement. We also extend our heartfelt thanks to FICAC Director Hon. Karim Qubain for his support and significant contributions. https://lnkd.in/dpgBSAba

The Eurasian FICAC (World Federation of Consuls) Conference 2024 in Astana, Kazakhstan has just started with great success in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Yesterday, in Copenhagen leaders of the honorary consulate corps from Nordic and Baltic countries, signed the Second Chistiansholm Declaration 2024 in order to strengthen the network. CC Latvia was represented by Ilze Cakstina, a member of the board of the Association of Consular Corps in Latvia #consuls, Ārlietu ministrija | Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia

Today, September 7, 2024, Nordic Baltic Honorary Consuls Association Presidents Meeting takes place in Copenhagen. CC Latvia is represented by Ilze Cakstina, Member of the Board. Ārlietu ministrija | Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia

Yesterday, August 28, a delegation of the Association of Consular Corps was received in the municipality of Ogre County- Mr Arnis Ančupāns, Honorary consul of Sri Lanka, Vice-president of the association, Mr. Jānis Mārtiņš Skuja, Executive Director of the Polish Latvian Chamber of Commerce, Mr Peter Soltez, Eeconomic and Trade attaché of the Hungarian Embassy, Mr Hou Tete, Assistant to the Ambassador of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Latvia, Mr Cai Wenzhen, Third Secretary of the Economic Attaché at the Embassy of the People`s Republic of China in Latvia, Mr Aigars Strauss, Representative of Latvia Brazil Development Agency. During the meeting with the management of the Ogre County Municipal Council and other representatives of the municipality, the guests were introduced to the Ogre County and its characteristic features, as well as learned a lot of interesting and valuable information about the municipality's purposeful work in infrastructure development, implemented projects and future plans. Emphasizing business as one of the possible areas of cooperation, the representatives of the Consular Corps of Honorary Consuls were interested in the desired development directions and industries of the region, the advantages of building a business in Ogre, the available industrial zones, the trends in the use of renewable energy resources, the promotion of remigration and other issues. Mr Gints Sīviņš, the Deputy Chairman of the Ogre County Municipal Council, addressing the audience, stated that Ogre County is a very friendly municipality for families, and despite the fact that the distribution of taxes in the country encourages people to live here rather than work, the municipality is very is serious about business and entrepreneurs who develop their business here. G. Sīviņš expressed the hope that the meeting will help to jointly promote business in Ogre region, as well as promote possible cooperation in other areas - sports, education, culture, etc. Mr Egils Helmanis, the Chairman of the City Council, referring to the history of Latvia and connecting it with the current situation in Ukraine, introduced the members of the delegation to the collection dedicated to Ukraine, which includes various objects obtained during the war, letters of thanks and awards received. In the continuation of the visit, the guests visited one of the greatest prides of the Ogre region – the Ogre Central Library – where they walked around the beautiful building, listening to a story about the process of building the building, innovations in ensuring energy efficiency, as well as the work of the structural units of the library and the Department of Birth Registers. The delegation also visited SIA "Eko EL" in Tīnūži, which is one of the largest manufacturers of metal structures and mechanical engineering products in Latvia, and the cafe "Pie Zelta Liepas" - a social enterprise that provides employment for people with disabilities. Photo: Vitolds Gabrāns

FICIL, The Red Jackets, and Latvijas Finanšu nozares asociācija | Finance Latvia Association raise concerns about the recently proposed tax reform scenario. We believe it fails to align with the government's economic growth goals and risks deepening economic stagnation and further lagging behind neighbouring countries. 🚫 The current proposal does not adequately address key challenges identified by business associations, such as reducing the labour tax burden on businesses, improving Latvia’s competitiveness, and increasing labour availability. 💡 We call on the government to clearly outline how the additional income will be used and to broaden the scope of discussions to include all taxes (e.g., potential changes to VAT). 🛑 We urge Evika Silina to meet with the stakeholders for a comprehensive dialogue about the tax reform in order to use the tax reform as a mechanism for Latvia's economic transformation and growth. The full press release can be found here: https://lnkd.in/dPiNUR6Y More information on FICIL response about the tax scenario is here: https://lnkd.in/dQD7D2QZ