THERE HAS never been a greater need for the UN given the array of challenges faced by the international community, Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs Peter Power told the UN General Assembly yesterday.
Delivering Ireland’s annual address to the assembly, Mr Power observed that, following recent discussions at the UN on issues ranging from climate change to global poverty and nuclear disarmament, there is a “much clearer appreciation of . . . [the UN’s] potential to deliver an effective response”.
The challenge for member states, he added, is “whether we can mobilise the political will needed in order to ensure that the UN can deliver even more in the future”.
Mr Power told delegates that Ireland had made food security a cornerstone of its aid programme, with 20 per cent of the programme to be devoted to fighting hunger by 2012.
Addressing the conflict in Darfur, the Minister mentioned the plight of two Goal aid workers kidnapped there in early July, and conveyed the Government’s gratitude to the UN and others who have assisted in ongoing efforts to secure their release.
Mr Power said Ireland supported renewed efforts to reinvigorate the Middle East peace process, and he praised the Obama administration for its engagement.
He urged the halting of illegal settlement activities and also called for the “unacceptable” humanitarian situation in Gaza to be addressed with urgency.
The Minister urged the Iranian government to “answer satisfactorily all questions regarding its nuclear activities”, in light of recent revelations regarding a previously undisclosed nuclear site.
He also repeated calls for the release of Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.