Ireland’s Ambassadors, Permanent Representatives, and Consuls General from over 90 missions in our global network are gathered in a ‘virtual’ setting over the last 3 days for the Global Ireland Summit 2020. This Summit marks two years since the launch of the ‘Global Ireland—Ireland’s Global Footprint to 2025’ programme, which has seen the expansion of Ireland’s international footprint, as well as a deepening of our presence in many countries around the world. This is an opportunity to discuss the major challenges and opportunities that Ireland will face in the coming year as the country works to advance the interests and values of the Irish people in a more uncertain and contested world.
Contributors include Secretary General of the UN Antonio Guterres, former US Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power, Dr Mike Ryan from the World Health Organisation, Ireland’s past President Mary Robinson, and Booker prize nominated author Colum McCann.
Speaking ahead of the Summit the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney, T.D., said, “The Global Ireland Summit 2020 is a special gathering of Ireland’s Diplomatic Network from 90 locations all around the world. It will explore the Global Ireland dimension of the new Programme for Government, and on how the wider ‘Team Ireland’ will all work together to deliver on the ambition of the programme and help in Ireland’s recovery from the COVID-19 Pandemic. I am looking forward to addressing the staff of the Department of Foreign Affairs as we implement the next phase of the Global Ireland programme. The expansion of our overseas network of missions means that Ireland’s work will have a greater reach and impact. I will also take the opportunity to thank the staff both at home and abroad, for all their hard work in support of Irish citizens during the Covid -19 crises.”
The Summit will include sessions on the themes of:
- Upholding Ireland’s values in a Global Landscape 2021-2022 with a focus on Ireland’s upcoming membership on the UN Security Council;
- the Impact of COVID and Perspectives from Ireland;
- International Public Health impact of COVID;
- the Global Economic impact of COVID;
- Ireland’s leadership on Climate Diplomacy; and
- Ireland’s Impact and Global Contribution.
The public are invited to join online at dfa.ie.
