The key actors include the Latvian government, specifically its UN Ambassador Sanita Pavļuta-Deslandes, who is chairing the Security Council. Other participants include the 15 members of the UN Security Council, the UN General Assembly, and various candidates for the position of UN Secretary-General. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is also involved as the Council prepares for judicial elections.

Latvia has assumed the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council for November 2026. The presidency has prioritized the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies into the Council's agenda, aiming to address how these tools impact conflict resolution and global security. Additionally, the Council is managing the ongoing selection process for the next UN Secretary-General and preparing for ICJ judicial elections.

The activities are centered at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, with formal and informal meetings taking place in the Security Council Chamber. The implications of these discussions, however, are global, affecting international law, technological standards, and regional security dynamics.

Latvia's presidency began on November 1, 2026, and will continue through the end of the month. Key upcoming dates include the ICJ judicial elections and mid-month consultations regarding the transition of the UNIFIL mission in Lebanon. The selection process for the Secretary-General is also ongoing, with straw polls expected throughout the month.

Latvia seeks to increase its diplomatic visibility and influence by focusing on a forward-looking agenda. The emphasis on AI reflects a growing international consensus that technological change is a primary driver of modern conflict. The Secretary-General selection process is a critical institutional moment, as member states attempt to define the future role and legitimacy of the United Nations in a multipolar world.

The presidency operates through the chairing of formal and informal meetings, the setting of the monthly agenda, and the facilitation of negotiations between the five permanent members and the ten elected members. The selection of the Secretary-General follows Article 97 of the UN Charter, requiring a recommendation from the Security Council to the General Assembly, which necessitates a consensus among the permanent members to avoid a veto.