Ireland’s two-year term on the United Nations Security Council ended in 2022, and Tánaiste Micheál Martin shared his reflections on the experience in an interview with the United Nations Regional Information Centre. He highlighted some of the key takeaways, greatest achievements, and lessons learned, emphasizing Ireland’s commitment to multilateralism.
- Ireland served on the UN Security Council from 2021 to 2022 and emphasized building peace, strengthening conflict prevention, and ensuring accountability.
- Key outcomes include a groundbreaking resolution on peacekeeping transitions, a horizontal carve-out for humanitarian activities across all UN sanctions regimes, and vital Syria humanitarian cross-border resolution.
- Ireland led the Council’s work on Ethiopia, co-chaired the Council’s expert group on Women, Peace and Security, and prioritized the Women, Peace and Security agenda.
- One of Ireland’s greatest achievements was the adoption of Resolution 2664 in December 2022, which established a horizontal humanitarian carve-out across all UN sanctions regimes.
- Lessons learned include the need for Security Council reform and the challenges posed by the veto.
- Ireland’s commitment to multilateralism is a core principle of Irish foreign policy, as reflected by Ireland’s longstanding involvement in the UN.
As an elected member of the United Nations Security Council from 2021 to 2022, Ireland emphasized building peace, strengthening conflict prevention, and ensuring accountability. In an interview with the United Nations Regional Information Centre, Tánaiste Micheál Martin reflected on the experience and highlighted some of Ireland’s key accomplishments and lessons.
Ireland achieved important outcomes on various geographic and thematic files through careful diplomacy. Notably, Ireland negotiated a groundbreaking Resolution on Peacekeeping Transitions, supported by all 15 Council members. Ireland also led negotiations on a horizontal carve-out for humanitarian activities across all UN sanctions regimes and led negotiations on successive renewals of the vital Syria Humanitarian cross-border resolution.
In addition to its work on peacekeeping and humanitarian aid, Ireland led the Council’s work on Ethiopia and co-chaired the Council’s expert group on Women, Peace and Security. Promoting gender equality was a priority throughout Ireland’s work on the Council, with a situation in Afghanistan a particular focus.
One of Ireland’s greatest achievements during its term was the adoption of Resolution 2664 in December 2022, which established a horizontal humanitarian carve-out across all UN sanctions regimes. This groundbreaking initiative ensures that the Council can continue to use sanctions without impeding the provision of humanitarian assistance.
Ireland’s experience on the Council also highlighted the need for Security Council reform, particularly in light of the challenges posed by the veto. Martin emphasized that the veto is an anachronism that has no place in today’s UN. However, he noted that Ireland remains committed to multilateralism, a core principle of Irish foreign policy. Ireland’s longstanding involvement in the UN, including its two-year term on the Security Council, reflects this commitment.
Ireland will continue to play an active role in the UN as a committed member state. It is co-facilitating negotiations on the Political Declaration to be adopted at the SDG Summit in September. It hopes to serve again on the Human Rights Council, running for election for the 2027-2029 term.
