On November 5, 2026, the XI International Conference "Border Security and Management," organized by the State Border Guard College and the Riga Technical University Rēzekne Academy, took place at the Embassy of Latgale GORS in Rēzekne.
The conference brought together 175 participants—researchers and practitioners from Latvian border management institutions, as well as representatives from the border guard services and agencies of Finland, Lithuania, Estonia, Poland, Ukraine, Romania, and Italy. Representatives from the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) also attended the event.
During the conference, the latest research and solutions in the field of European integrated border management were presented. In panel discussions, leading experts addressed threats to border security and prospective solutions for their prevention, debating current challenges and opportunities to enhance border security.
Special attention was devoted to the latest technologies and innovations, strengthening cooperation among law enforcement agencies, and improving staff competencies. The conference fostered the exchange of experience and knowledge, highlighting border security issues within the context of European and public security.
"As a result of the conference, several directions for future development have emerged. It is necessary to improve the legal framework for inter-agency cooperation, as well as to strengthen collaboration between existing border management educational institutions in Latvia by evaluating the alignment of their study programs with the current situation. Additionally, a proposal was put forward to establish a research and cooperation center focused on the effective use of European Union funds, organizing joint training, and implementing research projects," stated Lieutenant Colonel Mārtiņš Spridzāns, Associate Professor at the Department of General Education Subjects of the State Border Guard College.
The research results and best practice examples from the conference will be compiled and published in the conference proceedings.
The conference is organized within the framework of the Border Management and Visa Policy Instrument (BMVI) project No. VRK/RPVP/2025/3, "Strengthening the Cooperation Capacity of Latvian Border Security Institutions for European Integrated Border Management."
