UN the best forum for dealing with global challenges, Ireland says

Only the United Nations is capable of responding to the world’s major challenges and countries should work together through the Organization to seek effective solutions to crises and problems, Ireland’s Foreign Minister said today.

Eamon Gilmore told the General Assembly’s annual general debate that the UN has been a “constant anchor” as the world deals with challenges ranging from violent conflict and human rights abuses and extreme poverty and environmental degradation.

“No other organization is as well equipped to develop common answers to the big questions of our time,” he said. “No other organization has the same global impact and legitimacy.

“With an increasing need for global solutions, the United Nations, which represents almost all the countries on Earth, has the political, moral and legal authority to act. While there may be no easy answers to the questions being posed, our best chance of finding effective responses lies in the collective deliberation and action provided for by this Organization.”

Mr. Gilmore added that the UN is also the embodiment of freedom and equality, values outlined in the UN Charter and “a bulwark… in a changing and uncertain world.”

He stressed that freedom and equality must underpin the global response to many challenges, such as resolving conflicts, ending human rights abuses and eradicating hunger.

Mr. Gilmore met with Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today and the two officials discussed a range of issues, including sustainable development, UN peacekeeping, the global economic situation and recent developments in Libya, Syria and the Middle East peace process.