Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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64. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on Ireland’s participation at the recent meeting of the United Nations General Assembly. [40491/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I attended the 79th UN General Assembly in New York last month alongside the President, Taoiseach, Minister Eamon Ryan and Minister of State Sean Fleming.

The President addressed the plenary session of the Summit of the Future, focusing on poverty, hunger, and UN reform. He held bilateral meetings with leaders from Barbados, Malawi and South Africa, and also had engagements with other foreign leaders. In addition, he attended a number of bilateral community events at the New York Irish Arts Centre where he was awarded the Eugene O'Neill International Public Service Award by the Irish Artists and Writers Association.

The Taoiseach co-chaired the interactive dialogue on enhancing multilateralism for international peace and security at the Summit of the Future; attended the opening session of the UN General Assembly; and participated in several high-level meetings and events, including on education and youth in Palestine. He held meetings with leaders from Palestine, Mozambique and Jordan as well as with the UN Secretary General. On bilateral matters, he had a number of political and business-related meetings; addressed lunch events at Ireland House and with the Ireland Funds; and visited the New York Irish Center at Long Island City.

My own 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, UN Under-Secretary General for Peace Operations, Mr Jean-Pierre Lacroix, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Mr Filippo Grandi and the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Karim Khan .

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 new Ukrainian Foreign Minister. On Sudan, I addressed a Ministerial meeting on the humanitarian response to the situation there. On the Summit of the Future, I addressed an interactive dialogue on bridging the digital divide. I also addressed UN side events on the denial of women's rights in Afghanistan as well as a Women, Peace and Leadership symposium. Finally, I officially opened the new Ireland House in New York and hosted a community reception there.

Minister Ryan, in addition to multiple climate-related events and bilateral meetings, participated in the High-level Dialogue on Financing the Global Transition away from Oil and Gas; the High-level Meeting to Address Existential Threats Posed by Sea Level Rise; and the High-level Event on the Middle East Peace Process. Minister Ryan also attended the Host Country Reception held by President Biden on 25 September.

Finally, Minister of State Fleming delivered Ireland's National Statement to the UN General Assembly on 30 September.