Taoiseach and Tanaiste travel to New York for UN General Assembly

Taoiseach Simon Harris and Tanaiste Micheal Martin are to focus on conflicts in the Middle East, Ukraine and Sudan at the United Nations General Assembly this week.

Mr Harris and Mr Martin are travelling to New York on Sunday for several days of engagements at the “high-level” week.

President of Ireland Michael D Higgins is to address the UN Summit of the Future on Sunday at the UN’s headquarters.

In his address, Mr Higgins will emphasise again the importance of food security for Africa and how to achieve a new, “invigorated” United Nations.

Mr Higgins will also join Mr Harris and Mr Martin, as well as other heads of state and government, in attending the first day of the annual high-level general debate on Tuesday.

Mr Harris will attend the Summit of the Future, will co-chair one of four interactive dialogues, and attend high-level events related to the situation in the Middle East and in Ukraine.

The Taoiseach will also hold a number of bilateral meetings with other leaders, including with the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.

Mr Harris said ahead of the events that his focus would be “on the grave situation in the Middle East”.

“The immediate priority of the international community must be an immediate ceasefire and hostage release deal.

“The humanitarian situation in Gaza is catastrophic.

“A dramatic scaling up of humanitarian assistance is urgently needed.

“The safety of UN and other humanitarian workers must be adequately protected.

“All efforts must be made to prevent escalation in the region and I call on all sides to practise restraint.”

The Taoiseach, who recently returned from a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv, said that Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine would also be raised, as would the “devastating” conflict in Sudan.

Mr Martin said ahead of the trip that the UN event was “a key international moment for Ireland and indeed the world”.

“I look forward to working with like-minded partners and, vitally, those with whom we may not agree, to seek solutions and find a way forward to build a more peaceful, prosperous, just and sustainable world.

“I also look forward to engaging with a wide range of counterparts to discuss the urgent need to address the conflicts in the Middle East, Ukraine and Sudan.”

On Sunday, Mr Martin will attend a working dinner meeting with other ministers on the Middle East hosted by the International Peace Institute.

On Tuesday, he will attend the opening ceremony of the UN General Assembly and hold a range of bilateral meetings with foreign ministers.