The resolution says that EUR 10,000 is to be paid into the Global Media Defense Fund, run by UNESCO, which is described as "a way for Latvia to contribute to the strengthening and development of global press freedom, for instance, in neighbouring regions."
The Global Media Defense Fund was established earlier this year with initial funding from Canada and the United Kingdom.
"This newly created Trust Fund will complement and synergize with other extra-budgetary funding modalities supporting UNESCO work for the promotion of the safety of journalists: the Multi-donor Programme on Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists (with substantial contributions from Sweden and Norway), the International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC), as well as fund in trust projects," UNESCO said at the time.
EUR 10,000 will also be paid into each of the budgets of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, the EU Regional Trust Fund in Response to the Syrian Crisis, the Yemen Humanitarian Fund of the United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, and the NATO-Ukraine Platform on Countering Hybrid Warfare.
In addition EUR 25,000 is to be paid to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Representation in Ukraine and a total of EUR 15,000 will be paid into the budgets of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine and the Council of Europe Action Plan for Georgia.
"Payments to the Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine will ensure consistent contributions by Latvia to the strengthening of links between Latvia and Ukraine thereby demonstrating Latvia’s unflagging support for Ukraine’s efforts of eurointegration and reform. Payments to the Council of Europe Action Plan for Georgia will ensure consistent support from Latvia to the strengthening of Georgia’s stability, facilitating the sustainable development of its democracy," a statement frm the ministry said.
