Latvia’s Minister of Education and Science, Dace Melbārde, together with representatives of Latvia’s leading universities, will undertake a working visit to the United States from 18 to 26 April. The main objectives of the visit are the signing of a cooperation agreement of strategic importance to Latvia with NASA, meetings with global technology companies in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), and the establishment of partnerships with several of the world’s most prestigious universities.
The central event of the visit will be Latvia’s accession to the Artemis Accords initiative, marked by the signing of an agreement with NASA on Monday, 20 April, at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. The Artemis Accords are an international framework for peaceful and sustainable space exploration, establishing core principles for cooperation between countries in space exploration and technology development based on transparency, responsibility, and sustainability. This step represents a significant milestone in Latvia’s continued engagement in international space cooperation, while also opening new opportunities for Latvian students and researchers and fostering the development of science and innovation.
To promote the exchange of experience in teacher education—placing particular emphasis on modern approaches and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in education—the Minister will visit several prestigious U.S. universities and technology centers during the trip. Discussions are planned on the development of AI‑related study programmes, interdisciplinary education offerings, and new cooperation models to support student and academic staff mobility.
At Georgetown University, the visit will focus on strengthening cooperation in study programmes in diplomacy, internal security, and governance. At the University of Arizona, the delegation will gain deeper insight into teacher training practices and the integration of AI into the learning process. Meanwhile, discussions at Stanford University will centre on cybersecurity and energy, as well as the implementation of joint research projects using instruments of Horizon Europe and the U.S. National Science Foundation.
A key component of the visit will be dialogue with leading technology companies and research centres in the field of artificial intelligence. In San Francisco, meetings are scheduled with the leadership and representatives of leading technology companies, including OpenAI and Google. In addition, a visit to Stanford University will provide an opportunity to discuss current issues related to AI development, regulation, security, and its use in education, with a strong emphasis on the responsible and ethical deployment of AI.
Meetings with U.S. policymakers are also planned in Washington, D.C. Discussions with representatives of the U.S. Department of State and members of Congress will address cooperation in education, science, space, and innovation, as well as the strengthening of transatlantic cooperation and security‑related issues.
During the visit, the Minister will also take part in events with the Latvian diaspora. She will meet with representatives of Latvian schools and community groups to discuss the preservation of the Latvian language and national identity abroad. The delegation will also explore the diaspora’s educational experience and seek ways to strengthen cooperation with Latvia. A meeting with the Latvian community in Rockville is planned.
At the conclusion of the visit, in Seattle, the Minister will visit the University of Washington to meet representatives of the Baltic Studies programme and students studying the Latvian language and researching regional politics.
The Latvian delegation also includes representatives from the University of Latvia (UL) and Riga Technical University (RTU), with the aim of promoting direct academic cooperation between Latvia and the United States.
