SAPRA - the International Association of Defence Product Manufacturers - participated in The Rīga Conference 2026, an international forum bringing together decision-makers and experts to discuss developments shaping European and transatlantic security.
The conference took place in Riga on 10-11 September and was jointly organised by the Latvian Transatlantic Organisation, the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Latvia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia. The programme opened with remarks by the President of Latvia, Edgars Rinkēvičs.
Discussions addressed the role of diplomacy in an increasingly volatile international environment, NATO’s ability to respond to evolving security challenges and the importance of maintaining a strong and coordinated European approach to defence.
A significant part of the programme focused on lessons from Ukraine’s wartime experience, including rapid technological adaptation, closer cooperation between armed forces and the defence industry, and the integration of effective military innovations into NATO’s planning and capability development.
The conference also examined European competitiveness, defence financing, resilient supply chains, strategic dependencies and the impact of artificial intelligence and autonomous systems on the changing security environment.
For defence and dual-use companies, these issues are directly connected to future capability requirements, technological development and opportunities for cooperation across national borders.
Participation in international security and defence forums enables SAPRA to remain engaged with the discussions influencing the development of the European defence ecosystem and to strengthen connections with relevant institutions, experts and industry stakeholders.
SAPRA continues to support international dialogue and cooperation that contribute to defence industry development, technological innovation and stronger security across the Baltic region and Europe.