Press release
Minister Byrne to attend series of United Nations meetings
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
Minister of State for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne, will attend a series of UN-related meetings on 2 and 3 November. Minister Byrne will participate in a UN Security Council High Level Open Debate on 3 November, which will be chaired by Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Shirley Botchway. This meeting aims to build consensus in the Security Council on ensuring that UN Peace Operations can address complex, often rapidly changing security dynamics, as well as the underlying drivers and causes of conflict.
The Minister will also hold bilateral meetings with a number of senior representatives from the UN and member states, including the President of the General Assembly Mr. Csaba Kőrösi; Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Mr. Miroslav Jenča; and H.E. Mr. Sergiy Kyslytsya, Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations. The Minister will discuss Ireland’s priority issues at the UN, including Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Speaking before his departure, Minister Byrne said:
"As an elected member of the UN Security Council, Ireland has worked hard to shape decisions and achieve outcomes across a range of areas, based on our core principles. Peacekeeping and peacebuilding have long been a top priority for Ireland, and we want to ensure that peacekeeping mandates are effective in building sustainable and resilient peace. As part of this, women and youth must be included in decision-making and in national and regional responses.
"I am particularly pleased to be attending this meeting during Ghana’s Presidency of the Security Council. Ireland and Ghana have worked closely together on many issues over the past year, including as co-penholders on the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), which is of key importance for the security and stability of the region. I look forward to addressing the Council and sharing Ireland’s perspectives, including our focus on strengthening the link between Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding."
Ireland is an elected member of the UN Security Council for 2021 – 2022. Throughout this term Ireland has focused on the key priorities of Building Peace, Strengthening Conflict Prevention, and Ensuring Accountability.
Ghana holds the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council for the month of November 2022. On 3 November, Minister Byrne will represent Ireland at an open debate on 'Integrating Effective Resilience Building in Peace Operations for Sustainable Peace'. This will focus on military and non-military responses in peacekeeping.