Minister Flanagan to meet UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, and address UN General Assembly

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan, T.D., will today meet United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon ahead of the Minister's keynote address to the UN General Assembly on Monday afternoon.

The meeting with the Secretary General will provide an opportunity to discuss the key challenges facing the international community, including the situation in Syria and Iraq, developments in Ukraine and Gaza, and the rapidly developing crisis caused by the Ebola epidemic in West Africa.

Minister Flanagan will outline Ireland's perspective on these issues, and will also discuss Ireland's approach to the post-2015 development agenda, the outcome of last week's climate summit, and Ireland's ongoing commitment to United Nations peacekeeping.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Minister Flanagan said:

"This is my first visit to the United Nations as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. Participating in a series of high-level events, attended by leaders from the entire membership, offers an important opportunity to re-state Ireland's long-standing commitment to the United Nations, and its primary role in protecting international peace and security.

"During my meeting with Secretary General Ban, I will discuss the key challenges facing the international community, and Ireland's commitment to working with partners to build and preserve peace, promote sustainable development and achieve an end to hunger.

"In my address to the UN General Assembly I will outline Ireland's perspective on the major issues confronting the global community, and will stress the importance of working together to stop atrocities and crimes against humanity, to end impunity, and the importance of adherence to the principles of international law."

The Minister also recalled his participation on Friday in a Summit on International Peacekeeping convened by Vice President Biden where he announced a significant new programme of training to be provided by the Defence Forces for peacekeepers from development partner countries in Africa.

"Helping to develop such capacities in Africa will greatly assist regional security, and enhance the lives and well-being of citizens throughout our partner countries", said the Minister.

ENDS

Press Office

29 September 2014