What OIG Inspected

OIG inspected the executive direction, policy and program implementation, resource management, and information management operations of Embassy Riga. 

What OIG Found 

• The Ambassador and Deputy Chief of Mission regularly engaged the Latvian government and people to maintain close relations, especially on issues of mutual concern, such as Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
• The Ambassador inconsistently modeled the Department of State’s leadership and management principles of self-awareness, valuing and developing people, and collaboration.
• The embassy did not consistently coordinate its public diplomacy program across all embassy sections.
• The American Spaces program lacked proper oversight and coordination.
• The embassy and the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs did not establish a memorandum of understanding defining the financial management support the embassy would provide to the bureau.
• The embassy had internal control issues in its human resources, financial management, general services, and facility management operations.
• The embassy’s information management and information security operations, including account management processes, non-enterprise networks, cybersecurity operations, and records management program, did not fully comply with Department standards.
• Spotlight on Success: Embassy Riga’s Regional Security Office established the International School Security Working Group to enhance the safety and security of international schools in Latvia.
• Spotlight on Success: Embassy Riga’s Facility Management Office instituted an innovative and sustainable landscaping design and maintenance program that conserved embassy resources.

What OIG Recommends

OIG made 17 recommendations to Embassy Riga. In its comments on the draft report, the embassy concurred with all 17 recommendations. OIG considers all 17 recommendations resolved. The embassy’s response to each recommendation and OIG’s reply can be found in the Recommendations section of this report. The embassy’s formal response is reprinted in its entirety in Appendix B.