On Saturday, June 6, during the EBRD Annual Meeting & Business Forum 2026 in Riga, Minister for Finance Māris Kučinskis emphasized the need to maintain unwavering international support for Ukraine and to strengthen investments in its economic resilience and recovery.
The Minister noted that holding the EBRD Annual Meeting in Riga after a 26-year hiatus is a significant testament to international cooperation at a time when geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty, and fragmentation are on the rise worldwide.
"We must strengthen the resilience of Ukraine's economy, invest in human capital, and encourage investment even in high-risk conditions. Reconstruction is not just about infrastructure—it is about building the future by creating a more modern, stronger, and more resilient country. Ukraine’s security is Europe’s security,” emphasized Minister for Finance Māris Kučinskis.
The Minister noted that Latvia consistently supports Ukraine and advocates for its reconstruction, economic development, and integration into the European economic area. At the same time, he expressed his conviction that Ukraine must remain a priority for international financial institutions and development partners.
The speech also highlighted the EBRD’s crucial role in supporting Ukraine. The Minister commended the bank’s ability to mobilize private capital and implement investments under challenging conditions, noting that this approach is critical both for Ukraine’s recovery and for the economic resilience of countries affected by Russia’s war of aggression. The Minister urged the bank to continue strengthening its leadership in this work.
In his remarks, the Minister noted that in the current geopolitical circumstances, the role of the EBRD in the Baltic region has become even more important. The Bank is a vital pillar of economic resilience and security, helping to strengthen the development of the European Union’s eastern border regions through investments, technical assistance, and the mobilization of private capital. Latvia highly values the EBRD’s growing involvement in the country and calls on the bank to continue expanding its presence and investment activities in the region. The minister also emphasized this approach in his statement to the EBRD’s governors, noting that the EBRD’s presence on the European Union’s eastern border is essential for the region’s stability, attracting investment, and long-term development.
In conclusion, the Minister of Finance affirmed that Latvia will continue to be a reliable partner of the EBRD and will consistently advocate for stability, security, sustainable development, and support for Ukraine.
On June 5, on the first day of the EBRD Annual meeting 2026 in Riga, the Finance Minister met with representatives of the European Investment Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Lithuania, and Switzerland. During the meeting, they discussed opportunities for attracting investment, energy and economic security, support for Ukraine, as well as cooperation in the areas of infrastructure, innovation, and business development. During the meeting, investment opportunities, energy and economic security, support for Ukraine, as well as cooperation in the areas of infrastructure, innovation, and business development were discussed.
From June 5 to 7, Riga hosted the EBRD Annual Meeting & Business Forum 2026, which brought together representatives of governments, international financial institutions, the business community, and civil society from more than 70 countries.
The EBRD Annual meeting is expected to take strategic decisions and provide guidance for the future development and operation of the EBRD. In addition to approving institutional issues, the meeting will include three thematic sessions, including the EBRD's operations in Ukraine on June 6.
The EU Commissioner, Valdis Dombrovskis, has been elected as the Chairman of the EBRD Board of Governors for the period 2025-2026, and will chair the Board of Governors meeting.
