Leo Varadkar addressed the United Nations highlighting the 20th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement and how it brought peace and “power-sharing in Northern Ireland, at least, most of the time.”
Ireland’s Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Leo Varadkar has delivered his address at the United Nations in New York. Varadkar spoke at the Nelson Mandela Peace Summit at the UN, an event which Ireland worked in partnership with South Africa to organize.
During his address, the Irish leader highlighted that 2018 marks the 20th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, the signing of the Northern Ireland peace process. Varadkar said the agreement had brought peace and “power-sharing in Northern Ireland, at least, most of the time.” This year also marks 60 years of unbroken UN peacekeeping service by Irish men and women.
The Nelson Mandela Peace Summit honors the 100th anniversary of Mandela’s birth and was set up by South Africa with the assistance of Ireland. On Tuesday (Sept 25) the United States President Donald Trump and Tanaiste (Ireland’s Deputy Leader) Simon Coveney will be among those who speak to the United Nations General Assembly.
About to go into the UN General Assembly room to speak on Nelson Mandela and his legacy. Met Sec Gen of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit on the way pic.twitter.com/8ivLZfCjp1
— Leo Varadkar (@campaignforleo) September 24, 2018
On Monday Varadkar will meet with world leaders and UN officials, which could improve Ireland’s bid for a seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2021-2022 term.
Speaking in advance of the Summit, the Taoiseach said:
“This event marks an important opportunity to reflect on Mandela’s legacy. It’s not only a celebration of his life, but also a moment for the global community to see how Mandela’s commitment to peace, reconciliation and human rights, can help us to meet the challenges we face today.”
What do you think? Should Ireland be granted a seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2021-2022 term?
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