Alan Farrell
Question:15. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his aims ahead of his forthcoming trip to the United Nations General Assembly. [37513/18]
View answerThursday, 4 October 2018
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The 73rd session of the UN General Assembly got underway in early September.
The theme for this year’s General Debate which took place from 25 September-1 October was "Making the United Nations relevant to all people: global leadership and shared responsibilities for peaceful, equitable and sustainable societies”.
I delivered Ireland’s National Statement to the General Debate in which I emphasised Ireland’s strong support for multilateralism as the best way to address global problems. It is my firm view, which I believe is shared across the Oireachtas, that a collective effort is the only way to address global challenges such as conflict, migration and climate change which are often linked.
Our National Statement also provided the opportunity to highlight Ireland’s role in UN peacekeeping, disarmament and humanitarian assistance; and to underscore Ireland’s concerns regarding the situation in the Middle East. I also reconfirmed Ireland’s commitment to achieving the UN target of providing 0.7 per cent of Gross National Income for Official Development Assistance by 2030.
Immediately prior to the General Debate the Taoiseach addressed the Mandela Peace Summit. With South Africa, Ireland successfully co-facilitated the Mandela Peace Summit Declaration which was adopted by consensus by the General Assembly. It was an honour for Ireland to be chosen to work in partnership with South Africa on the Declaration.
During the visit to the UN, I and the Minister of State for Development and Diaspora attended a number of events on themes of women, peace and security; international criminal justice; education; health; humanitarian response and climate action.
A central objective of my visit, and those of the Taoiseach and Minister of State Cannon, was to make a strong case for Ireland’s candidature for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2021-2022 term.
We held a wide range of bilateral meetings, with UN Member States from all regions. The Taoiseach, Minister of State Cannon and I met with a number of Heads of State and Government and Ministers and received a strong hearing on our campaign, which is based on Ireland’s track record of engagement at the UN and on the principles of empathy, partnership and independence which underlie our campaign.