Minister O'Brien's Remarks at G20 Ministerial “UN at 80: Reaffirming peace as a path to sustainable economic development”

Remarks by Minister Darragh O’Brien, Minister for Climate, Environment and Energy at G20 Ministerial “UN at 80: Reaffirming peace as a path to sustainable economic development”

Thursday 25 September 2025, ECOSOC Chamber Statement

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Thank you Chair, Minister Lamola. I join colleagues in congratulating you on South Africa’s Presidency of the G20 and the great programme for the year.

Ireland associates itself with the statement delivered by the European Union.

This week we celebrate 80 years since the signing of the UN Charter.

When leaders agreed to practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbours.

Eight decades later the international legal order and multilateral system remains our greatest hope for a more peaceful, stable, prosperous world.

However this system which has delivered so much peace, development and prosperity is under immense strain.

In full violation of the UN Charter, Russia continues its war of aggression in Ukraine, intensifying its attacks on Ukraine’s towns, cities and civilians.

We reject the misrepresentation by the Russian delegation. Russia is the aggressor and it could make peace at any time. It chooses not to do so.

We see egregious breaches of human rights and international law in Gaza – famine and people killed desperately seeking food. We call for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages and humanitarian access at scale into Gaza.

In these and other conflicts, including in Africa, where the conflict in Sudan has created an appalling humanitarian crisis, we continue to witness the disregard of international law and the UN Charter.

In too many parts of the world, we see human rights undermined, growing inequality and lack of development, the promise of the SDGs unfulfilled, pushback against gender equality, and discrimination and worse against LGBTIQ+ persons and other minorities.

The international legal order is essential for all states, and particularly small states like Ireland, to live in security and prosper.

Our commitment to multilateralism is as strong as when we joined the UN seventy years ago.

This commitment is demonstrated through our proud record in peacekeeping.

Our belief in multilateralism continues to guide our actions. This is why we have put ourselves forward for a seat on the Human Rights Council from 2027 to 2029.

Through our diplomacy, our humanitarian and development assistance, and our peacekeepers, Ireland continues to be a strong, consistent and principled advocate for peace, human rights and the principles of the UN Charter.

We have lived experience on our island, illustrating that the most intractable conflict can be resolved, through painstaking commitment to negotiation, and dialogue, and compromise.

The common challenges we face whether it be climate change, conflict and fragility, violations of human rights, inequality, or lack of development, can only be solved through shared solutions.

The G20 has an important contribution to make.

We recognise the close relationship between peace and economic development.

When peace arrives, it lowers risks and barriers for companies seeking to do business, opening up new markets for local entrepreneurs and foreign investors alike.

This helps to ensure not just sustainable economic development, but also a sustainable peace.

These values have guided our active engagement in the work of the G20 this year as a Guest Country.

Thank you.