On 21 October 2025, the Minister for Smart Administration and Regional Development Raimonds Čudars, together with ministry experts, met with the Secretary-General of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Mathias Cormann, to discuss regional development and digital policy issues. The Minister emphasized the successful cooperation between Latvia and the OECD in these areas and expressed gratitude for the organisation’s research and assessments.
Special attention was given to the OECD study “Reviewing Regional Attractiveness in the Latgale Region”, which has made a significant contribution to improving regional policy and strengthening local governance amid the current geopolitical situation. The Regional Attractiveness Index measures how well the Latgale region can attract and retain talent, investors, and visitors in today’s globalized environment. Continuing cooperation with the OECD, such attractiveness indexes will be developed for all regions of Latvia by spring 2026.
The meeting highlighted the importance of keeping Latvia’s Eastern border regions—which form part of the European Union’s external border—in focus within OECD analyses and recommendations. Developments in this area directly impact regional stability and security; therefore, support for border territories should remain a priority in both EU and OECD policy frameworks.
Minister Čudars also welcomed the OECD’s engagement in addressing challenges faced by medium-sized cities and inter-municipal cooperation. Expert visits to Liepāja and Saldus demonstrated the potential of pragmatic regional policies: investments in business infrastructure, industrial parks, and road improvements have fostered job creation and attracted private capital.
In the field of digital policy, the Minister expressed interest in the OECD’s work on artificial intelligence governance, data policy, and the development of digital society. He highlighted three key cooperation areas: digital inclusion and safe internet environments for children and youth, the Digital Economy and Society Outlook 2026, and collaboration on AI implementation.
Both sides agreed that regional development and digital transformation are interlinked and mutually reinforcing, emphasizing the importance of Latvia’s continued close cooperation with the OECD to ensure that policies in these areas reflect the realities and ambitions of smaller member states.