U2 frontman Bono used the stage as a high profile platform to endorse Ireland's bid to win a seat on the UN Security Council.

At the band's Madison Square Garden gig on Sunday, UN ambassadors mingled with Ireland's Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Tánaiste Simon Coveney.

Ireland is currently bidding for a seat on the UN Security Council for 2021-2022, but they face competition from Norway and Canada.

A formal launch event will take place today, whereby there will be a celebration of Irish food, drink, music, and dance at the UN headquarters in Midtown East, Manhattan.

Read More: Ireland's Prime Minister in New York to advocate for Ireland's seat on UN Security Council

According to The Journal, the four-piece band had provided the Irish government with a number of gift tickets to the gig in the Garden.  Ahead of the launch, Bono made sure to single out the UN ambassadors in attendance at the gig.

Massive thank you @U2 for the warm welcome to #UNatU2 A special night recognising the centrality of @UN to a peaceful world. Ireland knows the importance of building and sustaining peace & it was wonderful to share this message with our #UN friends #IrelandUNSC #GlobalIreland pic.twitter.com/fpFe9Cj5hP

— IrelandUnitedNations (@irishmissionun) July 2, 2018

“If the United Nations didn’t exist, we’d have to invent it and that’s the truth. It’s the one place that puts peace on the negotiating table first,” Bono said.

He also took the opportunity to commend Varadkar, Coveney, and former president Mary Robinson on their efforts to obtain a seat for Ireland.

The actual vote will not take place until 2020.

On Cedarwood Road in MSG! @TheGarden #U2 #U2eiTour #U2SongsOfExperience #U2SongsOfInnocence #thegarden #MSG pic.twitter.com/VqC9yMDVOJ

— U2 (@U2) July 2, 2018

Outlining why securing the seat on the security council is vital for Ireland, Leo Varadkar said, “Winning a seat on the UN Security Council would place Ireland at the heart of UN decision-making on international peace, security and development. It would also continue Ireland’s proud tradition of international engagement dating back to our admission to the UN in 1955.”

Coveney also stated, “We are looking to serve on the UN Security Council over 2021-22 because we believe in a strong UN and we want to be at the centre of it, advocating for our core values."

Ceremony just getting underway at #UnitedNations HQ in #NewYork to mark the 60th anniversary of Irish involvement in UN peacekeeping missions. @irishmissionun @defenceforces pic.twitter.com/LSkR6m3fuR

— Leo Varadkar (@campaignforleo) July 2, 2018