Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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33. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to report on his recent engagements at the United Nations high level week in New York; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40482/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I attended the UN General Assembly High Level Week in New York from 22- 25 September. My programme focused primarily on three key foreign policy priorities: the Middle East (particularly Gaza and Lebanon), Ukraine, and Sudan. In this context, I addressed the UN Security Council Open Debate on Leadership for Peace dealing with all three issues. I participated in several meetings and events specifically on the Middle East, including the International Peace Institute annual Ministerial Working Dinner on the issue. I also held meetings with key regional actors including the Foreign Ministers of Egypt and Jordan, as well as with the Palestinian Prime Minister. On Ukraine, I attended the G7+ meeting jointly hosted by US President Biden and President Zelenskyy on reconstruction and recovery in Ukraine. I also participated in the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting which was addressed by the Ukrainian Foreign Minister. On Sudan, I addressed a Ministerial meeting on the humanitarian response to the situation there.

This year, High Level Week included an additional significant event, the Summit of the Future. The Summit brought together world leaders to reaffirm commitments to the Sustainable Development Goals and the UN Charter while enhancing cooperation and laying the foundations for a reinvigorated multilateral system. I participated in the Summit of the Future Interactive Dialogue on “Bridging the digital divide ” on 23 September.

In addition, I had an extensive programme of bilateral meetings and engagements including with the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, the UN President of the General Assembly, the UN Under-Secretary General for Peace Operations in relation to UNIFIL, the Prime Minister of Palestine, and the Foreign Ministers of Indonesia, Sierra Leone, Egypt, and Jordan.

I also participated in a high-level event supporting women’s role in agri-food systems; co-hosted a high-level side event on the inclusion of women in the future of Afghanistan; addressed a symposium event on Women, Peace and Leadership; and attended a working dinner hosted by UN Special Envoy for Education, Gordon Brown.

Finally, in relation to bilateral community affairs, I had the opportunity to officially open the new Ireland House in New York and host an Irish community reception there, as well as participate in a roundtable discussion with Irish community leaders.