Speaking at the Our Ocean Wealth in Cork the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Mr Simon Coveney T.D. launched a new strategy for Ireland’s partnership with Small Island Developing States.
Speaking in advance of the Summit the Tánaiste said:
“Ireland today takes a step forward in our friendship with Small Island States. As a small country, we know how powerful we can be when our friends understand our concerns and work with us to address them. In facing the climate challenge of a generation, deepening our partnerships is essential to help us face an uncertain future together”.
The new strategy will see Ireland work closely with Small Island States in international processes, particularly at the United Nations, to coordinate action to address shared challenges on climate change and the blue economy.
Ireland will also establish a permanent network of Envoys to support and further develop our relationship with Small Island Developing States and champion their concerns within the EU and other fora.
Additional Information
This is the first significant initiative to flow from the Governments new development assistance policy A Better World which was launched earlier this year and reflects Ireland’s determination to be a positive force in the International Community, particularly in facing up to contemporary challenges like climate change.
Ireland’s Strategy for Partnership with Small Island Developing States contains ten Commitments:
- Ireland will commit dedicated resources to continuous dialogue with Small Island Developing States, holding regular Céilí meetings to share views and build further collaboration.
- Ireland will establish a permanent network of Envoys to support and further develop our relationship with Small Island Developing States.
- Ireland will launch a series of partnerships in cooperation with Small Island Developing States, which embody our shared values. These will include an Ocean Innovation Initiative and a Small Island Developing States fellowship scheme.
- Ireland will share our experiences in working with the diaspora with Small Island Developing States partners.
- Ireland will use our membership of the EU to ensure that the needs of Small Island Developing States are reflected in development cooperation, trade, and other partnership arrangements.
- Ireland will continue to provide intensive support to Small Island Developing States-related processes at the UN, in particular the SAMOA Pathway process, and support efforts by Small Island Developing States to influence global processes.
- Ireland will support UN Volunteer placements in the Pacific and Caribbean.
- Ireland will provide support to UN DESA (the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs), and OHRLLS (the Office of the High Representative for Least Developed Countries, Land- locked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States) to support Small Island Developing States partnerships in the SAMOA pathway process.
- Ireland will provide €12m to the Ireland Trust Fund at the Asian Development Bank, to support Small Island Developing States on climate and disaster resilience.
- Ireland will deepen our relationship with CCRIF (the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility) to establish further partnerships on risk management.