Ireland begins its Presidency of the United Nations Security Council

As President of the Security Council, we will be dealing with some of the key immediate challenges facing the international community, including the evolving situation in Afghanistan, and an ongoing concerning situation in the Middle East.

We sought a seat on the UN Security Council to make a difference; to bring a principled, constructive and open approach to its vital work of promoting international peace and security, including at critical and challenging times such as this.

I look forward also to chairing a meeting of the Security Council on 23 September on the critical issue of Climate and Security. The effects of climate change are a contributory factor in a range of the crises on the Council’s agenda.

As leaders we need to recognise this, and to explore what tangible actions can be taken to address these factors specifically in our work.’

As President of the Security Council, we have the responsibility of stewarding the Council’s important work at a critical moment. I look forward to Council discussions on a number of key issues on the international agenda.

Next week I will be in New York to chair a Council meeting on how we can better manage the transition of UN Peacekeeping Operations to a more comprehensive UN engagement on peacebuilding in countries coming out of conflict. We need to ensure that hard-won peace gains are not lost when the peacekeepers leave. I am proud of the history of Defence Forces’ participation in UN peacekeeping which informs Ireland’s work on this issue.

Being a member of the Security Council brings with it an important responsibility to help prevent and resolve conflicts around the world. I am proud of the role Ireland has played on a wide range of issues since taking up our seat in January 2021, including extending the mandate for Syrian cross border humanitarian operations, leading the Council’s response to the crisis in Ethiopia and our facilitation of the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA). I am confident we can continue to make a difference as we approach the task of chairing the Security Council this month.

Today, Ireland takes over the Presidency of the UN Security Council 🇮🇪🇺🇳

As President, we will steward the Security Council’s work on challenges such as Syria, Afghanistan, and the Middle East. #IrelandUNSC @irishmissionun

More info: https://t.co/MWXZWum4N6 pic.twitter.com/fsjoZqwOxW

— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) September 1, 2021

Five Facts of Ireland's role holding Presidency of the UN Security Council

1. Ireland is an elected member of the United Nations Security Council for a two year term which began on 1 January 2021.
   Ireland will hold the Presidency of the Security Council for the month of September 2021.
2. The role rotates each month in English alphabetical order, and this is the only time we will hold the presidency during our two-year term. This is the fifth time Ireland has held the Presidency of the Security Council since we joined the UN in 1955.
3. Ireland’s approach during the Presidency will be underpinned by the three core principles of our Security Council term: Building peace, strengthening conflict prevention and ensuring accountability, and will be in line with Ireland’s principled, consistent and independent foreign policy.
4. Ireland will host meetings of the Council on peacekeeping on 8 September, on Climate and Security on 23 September, and on the 25th anniversary of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty on 27 September.
5. The Council Presidency can select briefers for Council meetings. In keeping with Ireland’s commitment to facilitate civil society and grass roots voices being heard by the Council, we plan to have a civil society briefer at many meetings in September. In line with Ireland’s commitment to the Women, Peace and Security agenda, we are prioritising the voices of women peacebuilders.