Alan Farrell
Ceist:200. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the detail of the measures and actions the Government aims to achieve through Ireland’s presidency of the UN Security Council. [43424/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 30 September 2021
Ceisteanna (200)
Freagraí scríofa
Today, Thursday 30 September, is the final day of Ireland’s Presidency of the UN Security Council, a role we held for the month of September 2021. During this time, we chaired all meetings of the Council and were responsible for managing its agenda.
The Council Programme of Work for September included meetings on a range of important issues, including Libya, Sudan, South Sudan, Syria, Yemen and the Middle East Peace Process. I chaired a meeting of the Security Council on the situation in Afghanistan on 9 September, and Ireland engaged extensively in the negotiations to extend the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan for six months from 17 September.
Ireland’s Presidency of the Council provided an important opportunity to highlight a number of our policy priorities, and we convened three High-Level signature meetings in September.
On 8 September, Ireland chaired an Open Debate of the Security Council on peacekeeping operations and on 9 September, I was very pleased to preside over the unanimous adoption of Resolution 2594 on peacekeeping transitions that was drafted and negotiated by Ireland. This important resolution provides a framework for ensuring that the reconfiguration of a UN presence is properly planned for and resourced, particularly with respect to protecting civilians. I also chaired an informal interactive dialogue with the League of Arab States on 22 September.
The Taoiseach chaired a High-Level meeting on Climate and Security on 23 September, during the UN General Assembly High Level Week. At that meeting, the Taoiseach announced Ireland’s intention, along with Niger, to convene discussions with all Council members, on a thematic resolution on Climate and Security. A resolution on the link between climate change and the maintenance of international peace and security would be a first for the Security Council and would allow it to better assess and address the effects of climate change in its work.
Minister Byrne chaired the third signature High-Level meeting on 27 September to mark the 25th Anniversary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). This meeting provided an opportunity to highlight the importance of the CTBT and the need for entry into force and universalisation of the Treaty.
Ireland prioritised the Women, Peace and Security agenda during our Presidency to support the right to full, equal and meaningful participation of women in matters of peace and security. We also placed a particular focus on including women peacebuilders in Council meetings as civil society briefers, as we believe it is crucial that the Council hears the voices of those affected by its decisions.
Throughout our Presidency, we continued our work to protect human rights, uphold International Humanitarian Law, and promote accountability for violations. Over the next 15 months of Ireland’s Security Council membership, we will continue to work openly and constructively with all partners, as a solution-oriented member of the Council.