Minister Richmond announces further support for Small Island Developing States at UN High Level Week

The Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora, Neale Richmond, has today announced funding of €3 million to support people in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) who are at risk from climate change.

The funding will be provided to the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF) and will assist communities facing threats such as flooding.

The announcement comes as Minister Richmond begins a series of events as part of UN High Level Week in New York.

Minister of State Richmond said: “People in Small Island Developing States are on the front lines of climate change. It is an existential threat to their lives and their countries. This funding will provide practical and urgent support for communities facing into this crisis every day. It will be particularly focused on helping communities across the Pacific adapt to the impacts of climate change and prepare for climate disasters that are ever-more likely.”

Minister Richmond today begins a series of engagements as part of UN High Level Week. Minister Richmond will this evening meet with Tom Fletcher, the United Nations Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs, to discuss the global response to humanitarian crises around the world including those in Gaza and Sudan.

Tomorrow morning (Monday), Minister Richmond will attend a breakfast meeting with the Women Leaders Network of the Africa-Europe Foundation. He will then attend a number of events focusing on the SDGs and global education. Minister Richmond will also host a number of bilateral meetings with counterparts.

On Tuesday Minister Richmond will attend a number of events focused on financing for development in the context of reduced global budgets. He will also attend a diaspora consultation with members of the Irish community in New York.

Minister Richmond said: “UN High Level Week comes at a time when the humanitarian and development sectors are facing both unprecedented need and also a significant funding crisis. From Gaza to Sudan to Ukraine, we are facing multiple humanitarian crises around the world. We are also facing a crisis in our response.

“This High Level Week will be an important opportunity to look at how the UN can continue to respond to global challenges in the context of reduced budgets. As we mark 70 years of Ireland’s membership of the UN, our support is steadfast. I will be engaging with UN and civil society partners to pledge Ireland’s commitment to their work and examine how we can continue to play a leading role in tackling the big issues of our time.”

ENDS

Press Office

21 September 2025