Minister O'Brien sets out Ireland’s commitment to sustainable development at global United Nations event

Minister delivers Ireland's National Statement at the UN High-Level Political Forum in New York

Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O'Brien has set out Ireland’s commitment to sustainable development at the United Nations ‘High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development’ in New York today (Monday).
Minister O'Brien explained:
“This year’s High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development comes at a critical time, as we continue our collective journey towards 2030 and as we seek to urgently accelerate implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals – especially for the furthest behind.
“Especially now, we can see the importance of strengthening inclusive partnerships and focusing on impacts – across governments, the UN system, civil society, the private sector and under-represented groups, as well as women, youth and academia.”
At the HLPF this year Ireland – along with The Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), the International Renewable Agency (IRENA), and the Global Offshore Wind Alliance (GOWA) – is leading and co-hosting an official Side Event. The Side Event is titled ‘Accelerating SDG 7: Building Bridges for the Clean Energy Transition: How Governments, Institutions and Civil Society can Partner to Decarbonise Island Nations, from Europe to the Pacific’.
During his time at the HLPF, Minister O'Brien is also attending a number of special events. These include a High-Level Plenary on Critical Energy Transitions and a Special Event on Financing Resilient Agrifood Systems in the context of the current crisis.
Minister O'Brien will also attend several bilateral meetings, with representatives from Albania, Canada, Japan, the Marshall Islands, Saudia Arabia and Tuvalu. He will also meet representatives of academia and civil society, as well as youth representatives. Minister O’Brien will also meet with UN Assistant Secretary General Selwin Hart, as preparations are underway in advance of COP31 which takes place in Antalya, Turkey in November 2026.
National Statement
The National Statement – delivered by Minister O'Brien – can be viewed on the Department of the Climate, Energy and the Environment website at this link: National Statement by Minister Darragh O’Brien at the UN High-Level Political Forum 2026.