Ireland at the UN General Assembly

The UN General Assembly (UNGA) is the main policy-making organ of the United Nations.

Almost every country in the world, 193 in total, has a voice and a vote on issues around peace, stability and sustainability.

Every September, World Leaders come together to debate and discuss issues that impact us all at the UNGA General Debate.

• What's Ireland's role?
• Ireland's key priorities at UNGA81
• News from Ireland at UNGA81
• Ireland at the UN

UN High-level Week takes place from 18-28 September this year and marks the 81st Session of the General Assembly.

UN High-level Week provides an opportunity for Ireland to highlight our positions on key foreign policy priorities including our commitment to multilateralism and the international legal order, UN reform and the election of a new UN Secretary General, the Middle East, Ukraine, Sudan, our commitment to human rights and candidacy for a seat on the Human Rights Council and our international development programme.

Ireland will be represented at High-level Week by the Taoiseach, Micheál Martin; Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Helen McEntee; Minister for Climate, Environment and Energy, Daragh O’Brien, Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora, Neale Richmond and Minister of State at the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment with Special Responsibility for the Marine, Timmy Dooley.

High-level Week will provide an opportunity for Ireland to highlight policy priorities including:

Multilateralism and the International Legal Order

Ireland is wholly committed to the multilateral and international legal order, with the UN Charter at its core. Ireland sees support for multilateralism as key to ensuring a more secure, peaceful and prosperous world.

Over the course of High-level week, the Taoiseach and Minister McEntee will meet with senior UN Leadership, and heads of state and government and ministers from around the world where we will reiterate our support for the UN.

Ireland will also highlight our support for the International Criminal Court (ICC) and commitment to protecting the Court’s independence and the fulfilment of its mandate.

Middle East

On Israel/Palestine, Ireland remains committed to working with key partners to support efforts to end the conflict, and to achieve a lasting and peaceful resolution to the current conflict based on the two-State solution. During High-Level Week, Ireland will participate in a number of events focused on this issue including the meeting jointly organised by France, the UK and Canada one year on from the New York Declaration, and the High-level meeting of the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution.

Ireland is deeply concerned by the sharply deteriorating situation in the West Bank, in particular the massive expansion of settlements including the E1 project, and rampant and escalating settler violence, which continues in an atmosphere of impunity. In Gaza, there is an urgent need for further humanitarian aid, as well as meeting the huge challenge of recovery and reconstruction.

Ireland is continuing to press for appropriate action in response to egregious Israeli breaches of international law, human rights and democratic principles including the continued detention of Palestinian children in Israeli military detention. Their rights, safety and dignity must be protected at all times.

Ireland calls for de-escalation of the conflict between the US and Iran and a return to safe, toll-free transit passage of the Strait of Hormuz in line with international law.

We are deeply concerned by the conflict and humanitarian crisis in Yemen, and will continue to support UN-led efforts to resolve the conflict and provide humanitarian assistance. Freedom of navigation must be protected in the Bab Al Mandab Strait.

Ukraine

At the United Nations this week, Ireland will reiterate our unwavering support for Ukraine. The Taoiseach and Minister McEntee will reiterate our call for a ceasefire, and for Russia to end its illegal aggression against Ukraine.

Today, Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine is more deadly for civilians than at any point since the start of its full-scale invasion. Ireland will condemn Russia’s reckless drone and missile attacks and will work to build further support among global partners to hold Russia accountable for its actions.

Ireland will caution that Russia’s actions are contributing to an emerging global food security crisis and that renewed disruption to Black Sea exports risks exacerbating food insecurity for millions of people around the world.

UN Reform / UNSG Election

Ireland supports the UN80 reform initiative, launched by UNSG Guterres last year to reinvigorate and reform the United Nations.

The 81st General Assembly will also be the final High-level Week of Secretary General Guterres’ term. Ireland thanks the UNSG for being a consistent and principled defender of international law.

In the election race for his successor, Ireland is eager to see the election of a Secretary General who is firmly committed to the UN Charter and focused on preventing and resolving conflicts, rebuilding trust in multilateralism, bridging divides, mobilising collective action, delivering tangible results, and delivering tangible UN reforms.

Sudan

With over 15 million Sudanese people displaced and 33 million in need of humanitarian assistance, OCHCR has categorised Sudan as one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world. Ireland will continue calls for a ceasefire in Sudan, the protection of civilians and accountability for crimes committed.

Ireland has consistently used international engagements to highlight the plight of people in Sudan and we will continue to do so until an end to this conflict is reached.

Human Rights Council campaign

Ireland is running for a seat on the Human Rights Council for the 2027–2029 period, with elections due to take place on 13 October. Human Rights are a core foreign policy priority for Ireland.

If elected, membership of the Human Rights Council will allow us to continue our strong contribution to the maintenance and support of the UN’s Human Rights instruments and mechanisms.

Over the course of High-level Week Ireland will partake in a range of events on child protection and nutrition, humanitarian law, Sudan, and Ukraine. Ireland will also host an event, in collaboration with the UN and the Malala Fund on the current situation in Afghanistan and the impact on women and girls.

International Development and Humanitarian Assistance

Ireland remains committed to international development, humanitarian action and multilateralism at a time of growing global need and pressure on the international system.

Reform of the UN development system is particularly important in the face of the current budget and liquidity crisis. Meaningful and lasting reform should take account of changes in the international environment, the achievements of the international development system, the continuing importance of multilateral cooperation in delivering sustainable development and increasing humanitarian needs globally.

Ireland is concerned about the global food and nutrition security crisis. Conflict, climate shocks, El Niño related impacts and spillover effects of the Middle East crisis are impacting food and energy markets with dramatic effects on the most vulnerable countries.

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