Minister O'Brien sets out Ireland's commitment to sustainable development at global United Nations event
- Published on: 21 July 2025
- Last updated on: 23 July 2025
Minister delivers Ireland's National Statement at the UN High-Level Political Forum in New York
Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O'Brien has set out Ireland’s commitment to sustainable development at the United Nations 'High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development' (HLPF) in New York today.
As Ireland this year marks the 70th anniversary of its membership of the UN, Minister O’Brien reiterated Ireland's commitment to multilateralism and called for a coordinated approach at national and international levels to address the complex and crosscutting nature of the global challenges we face today.
Minister O'Brien welcomed the opportunity to work with all partners and stakeholders to support the UN80 initiative. As the UN this year celebrates its 80th anniversary, this initiative aims to reinforce the UN's capacity to respond to today's global challenges, and to reassert multilateralism in the face of growing crises, deepening inequalities, and eroding trust in global institutions.
The Minister also highlighted the shared responsibility of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) underlining the importance of ongoing, active and meaningful stakeholder engagement to ensure successful, inclusive and equitable outcomes.
Minister O'Brien said:
"This year, as we mark the 70th anniversary of Ireland's membership of the United Nations, we reflect on and reaffirm our long-standing commitment to the multilateral system – with the UN Charter at its core. Multilateralism has driven our most successful efforts, as an international community, to address the interlocking crises of climate change, conflict, hunger, injustice, inequality and humanitarian need.
"Such challenges remain monumental however, and require that we urgently redouble our efforts to achieve the vision of Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals.
"Living up to the promise of 2030 Agenda is a shared responsibility. Effective cooperation among all actors will lead to more practical, inclusive, and adaptable solutions, accelerating progress towards the achievement of the SDGs."
At the HLPF, the Minister will also speak at the UN Security Council in a special session on Peaceful Settlement of Disputes and will be participating in an open debate on the Middle East.
During his time at the HLPF, Minister O'Brien is also attending a number of special events, on the issues of strengthening climate-SDG synergies, how academia can support the achievement of SDG 8 (Decent work and Economic Growth), and innovative pathways to achieve the SDGs.
Minister O'Brien will also attend several bilateral meetings, with representatives from India, Moldova, Papua New Guinea, Qatar and Finland, as well as meeting with representatives of business, academia and civil society.
The National Statement – delivered by Minister O'Brien – can be viewed on the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications website.
ENDS
Notes to the Editor
Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
In September 2015, all 193 UN Member States, including Ireland, adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to 'end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all' as part of the new agenda – Transforming Our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This framework is made up of 17 SDGs and 169 targets. Ireland had a significant role in its development and adoption, as co-facilitator, together with Kenya.
United Nations High-Level Political Forum for Sustainable Development (HLPF)
Agenda 2030 recognises the importance of follow-up and review at the national, regional, and global level to measure implementation progress of the SDGs. The UN High-Level Political Forum for Sustainable Development (HLPF) is the main United Nations platform for sustainable development and Agenda 2030, and has the central role in overseeing follow-up and review at global level.
The 2025 HLPF is taking place under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council (from 14-24 July 2025) at the UN Headquarters in New York, with the central theme "Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals for leaving no one behind".
The HLPF in July 2025 will be the first HLPF under the auspices of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) to be held after the 2024 Summit of the Future. It will support the implementation of the Political Declaration of the 2023 SDG Summit and contribute to the follow-up to the 2024 Summit of the Future in support of the implementation of the Pact for the Future and its annexes. It will result in a negotiated Ministerial Declaration.
Find out more on the United Nations website.