Minister Sherlock attends UN Sustainable Development Summit

Minister of State for Development, Trade Promotion and North-South Co-operation, Sean Sherlock T.D., is in New York this weekend to attend the opening of the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit, to meet with EU Development Ministers, and launch a new Ebola Innovation Task Force.

As regards the Sustainable Development Summit element, President Michael D. Higgins, An Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Minister Sean Sherlock make up Ireland’s delegation to the summit where 193 countries are committing to 17 ‘Sustainable Development Goals’, aimed at ending poverty, reducing inequality and tackling climate change by 2030.

Minister Sherlock also participated in an informal meeting of Development Ministers from EU Member States where the priorities and challenges for the implementation of these goals were discussed.

Speaking at the Sustainable Development Summit at the United Nations in New York, Minister Sherlock said:

“I am very proud of the leadership role that Ireland has played in delivering this agenda, given that the agreement of Sustainable Development Goals sets the course for the entire world to deliver a more sustainable, prosperous and peaceful future for all, in harmony with our planet.

“Ireland has played a unique and central role facilitating UN member states agreement on these goals, co-chairing the negotiation process with Kenya, and will now continue to play its full part in implementing these Global Goals. A core part of this is Ireland’s development aid programme, which will continue to focus on reducing hunger and improving resilience, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, better governance, human rights and accountability”.

Minister Sherlock spoke at the launch of the UN Global Digital He@lth Initiative Ebola Innovation Task Force where he outlined the importance of innovation and technology in global health crisis management:

“Ireland remains committed to the ensuring that technological innovation and progress reach those who need it most through multiple partnerships with UN Agencies and the private sector. Irish Aid, the Government’s overseas assistance programme, is currently engaged in multiple projects which harnesses technology for social cash transfers in Ethiopia, the diagnosis and treatment of HIV and AIDs, and distribution of medicines in Mozambique."

Minister Sherlock will also meet Stephen O'Brien who is the UN's Coordinator for Humanitarian Affairs and John Ging, Director of UN OCHA's Operations Division. He will also meet Yoka Brandt Deputy Executive Director of the UN's children's agency UNICEF.