Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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82. To ask the Taoiseach to report on his attendance at the United Nations General Assembly. [51121/25]

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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My attendance at High-Level Week at the United Nations General Assembly provided an important opportunity to highlight Ireland’s commitment to multilateralism and the international rules-based order and to discuss with follow leaders the many crises facing our planet from the disastrous conflicts in Gaza, Ukraine and Sudan to issues such as climate change and sustainable development.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the foundation of the United Nations and is the 70th anniversary of Ireland’s membership. These milestones that comes at a time when the multilateral order is under enormous pressure.

I delivered Ireland’s National Statement, reaffirming our unwavering commitment to the United Nations, multilateralism and the rule of international law. In my speech I called for the end of conflicts in Sudan, Ukraine, and Gaza and highlighted their appalling impacts on civilian populations. I called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of hostages and the development of a pathway to a two State solution. I acknowledged the need for reform of the UN to reflect new global realities.

There was a particular focus at this year’s High-Level Week on the Middle East and Ukraine. I attended a High-Level Conference on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia. Several countries – including France, the UK, and Canada – took the opportunity to recognise the State of Palestine. Ireland is proud to have co-chaired as one of the working groups that prepared the Conference, building on our recognition of the State of Palestine last year.

I also participated in two High-Level events on Ukraine. The first – ‘Restoring Childhood and Humanity – Advancing Peace in Ukraine through the Return of Ukrainian Children’ – was hosted by President Zelenskyy and Prime Minster Carney. The second was ‘The 5th Summit of the International Crimea Platform’ and was also organised by President Zelenskyy.

Other events I attended include Beijing +30 which marked 30 years since signature of the Beijing Platform for Action on women and equality; several events related to the Sustainable Development Goals, and I formally signed the Treaty on the Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), which aims for the conservation and the sustainable use of oceans, on behalf of Ireland.

While at the UN, I had bilateral meetings with the Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, and with the President of Lebanon, Joseph Aoun.

While in New York, I had a programme of engagements, including economic meetings, organised by our Consulate General.

I also took the opportunity for a short bilateral visit to Canada.