60th Anniversary Of Ireland's Admission To UN Marked

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charles Flanagan, has hosted an event to mark the 60th anniversary of Ireland's admission to the United Nations.

Minister Flanagan was joined by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, former President of Ireland and UN Special Envoy on Climate Change Mary Robinson, UN Special Representative for International Migration Peter Sutherland, for a themed event of "Reflecting on the Past, Preparing for the Future".

Speaking ahead of the event, Minister Flanagan said: "This Symposium is the culmination of a year-long programme that has been organised by my department to celebrate 60 years of Ireland at the United Nations. It is significant that an Irishman, Peter Sutherland, and an Irishwoman, Mary Robinson, currently hold the roles of the UNSG's Special Representatives in two areas which pose huge challenges to the global community – migration and climate change – and I am delighted that they are both here today, along with former UNSG, Kofi Annan."

The Symposium will also mark the Irish launch of a specially commissioned Anniversary Exhibition, produced in collaboration with the Royal Irish Academy and the National Archives.

Commenting on the exhibition, Minister Flanagan said: "The Anniversary Exhibition highlights how many of the foreign policy priorities and positions of principle established during Ireland's early years of UN membership have effectively shaped the contours of Irish foreign policy to the United Nations to the present day. We can be rightly proud of the contribution Ireland has historically made, and continues to make, to the United Nations.

"Although the world of 2015 is vastly different from the world of 1955, Ireland's commitment to the United Nations is as steadfast as it was 60 years ago. We can be proud of the positive and tangible impact we have had so far, and of the principled approach we have taken to international relations through the United Nations."

(MH/LM)