Ambassador Andris Pelšs took up his duties as Permanent Representative of Latvia to the OECD on 4 September 2024.

Ambassador Pelšs is also Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Latvia to UNESCO.

He formerly served as the State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia from 2018 to 2024, following his tenure as Under-Secretary of State – Political Director from 2016 to 2018.

His extensive diplomatic experience includes representing Latvia at the European Union as Ambassador-Representative to the Political and Security Committee (2012-2016) and advising the President of Latvia on foreign affairs (2007-2012).

He has previously worked in various capacities on security policy within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Head of International Operations and Crisis Management Division from 2006 to 2007; Head of Arms Control Division from 2005 to 2006) and represented Latvia at NATO and the United Nations in New York (2003 to 2005; 2000 to 2003).

Recognized for his contributions, Ambassador Pelšs has received several prestigious awards, including the Grand Officer of the Cross of Recognition in 2021. He holds an MBA (Moorhead State University, USA), a Master’s Degree in Political Science (University of Latvia) and a Bachelor in Political Science (Truman State University, USA).