Position paper for Ireland
| Committee: | GA First |
| Topic: | Consolidation of peace through practical disarmament measures |
| Paper text: | |
| Ireland strongly affirms the non-proliferation and disarmament of chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons across the world. The Republic of Ireland is dedicated to disarmament measures across the world to decrease conflict and decrease civilian casualties. Ireland has been a member of the Chemical Weapons Convention since 1997 and a member of the Biological Weapons Convention since 1972. In 2022, the Republic of Ireland played a crucial part in the Political Declaration on Strengthening the Protection of Civilians from the Humanitarian Consequences arising from the Use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas conference held in Dublin. 83 countries formally adopted this declaration, and more continue to do so. Ireland is committed to working with member states to promote the practical disarmament measures for all nations in order to promote peace throughout the world. | |
| Committee: | GA First |
| Topic: | Implementation of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction |
| Paper text: | |
| 193 countries have signed and ratified the Convention on the Prohibition of the
Development, Production, Stockpiling, and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their
Destruction. Ireland is dedicated to furthering the goals of this convention. In October of
2023, we donated 50,000 Euros to the Trust Fund for the Implementation of Article X of the
Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). This funding will be used in
Ukraine to help them detect the use of and remnants of chemical weapons in their ongoing
conflict with Russia. Furthermore, Ireland is an Executive member of the OPCW Council and
a supporter of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC). In accordance with these bodies,
in 2011 Ireland passed its own biological weapons act which prohibits the development,
production, use, and stockpiling of biological and toxin weapons. It also bans the acquisition,
possession, retention, or transfer of these weapons.?? We encourage all member states to
adopt similar legislation. Currently, with global conflict rising, Ireland is deeply concerned
over the use of chemical weapons in combat zones. Chemical weapons have been
prohibited since the signing of the geneva convention, however, this does not stop their use
by adversaries. The destruction of chemical weapons in a safe manner needs to be a priority
in order to further global safety. Ireland looks forward to working with other member states
to find an inclusive solution to this issue.
| |
| Committee: | GA Second |
| Topic: | Agriculture development, food security and nutrition |
| Paper text: | |
| In 2024, the Republic of Ireland was rated 0.96 on the Human Development Index. Therefore, in terms of agriculture development, food security, and nutrition, the nation is well above average. Additionally, recent studies by The Economist Group report 2.5% undernourishment and 26.9% obesity among Irish citizens. Ireland's 51% tax rate on individual income positively contributes to the nation's success. According to the European Commission, increased transmission of lower wholesale energy will bring the inflation rate down to 1.9% by the end of the year. In January, Ireland's Food and Agriculture announced "Food Vision 2023," a food security initiative. Likewise, The European Agricultural Guarantee Fund and The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development support small-scale Irish farmers. To improve global food security, the Republic of Ireland can globalize "Food Vision 2023" and implement climate conscious agricultural solutions. | |
| Committee: | GA Second |
| Topic: | Development cooperation with middle-income countries |
| Paper text: | |
| The Economist Group classified Ireland as a high-income nation. In 2024, the International Monetary Fund reported a gross domestic product (GDP) per capita of 103,500 U.S. dollars. This well exceeds the global average of 13,900 U.S. dollars. In 1974, the Department of Foreign Affairs announced Irish Aid. The international development cooperation program helps middle-income countries overcome numerous challenges such as poverty and hunger. Furthermore, the Official Development Assistance Committee reported the nation's plan to devote 0.7% of Gross National Income to international development by 2030. To improve development cooperation with middle-income countries, the Republic of Ireland can encourage the General Assembly to embrace Irish Aid and the "A Better World" program. | |
| Committee: | GA Third |
| Topic: | Rights of indigenous peoples |
| Paper text: | |
| Ireland acknowledges the unique cultural and historical significance of Indigenous peoples. We are committed to promoting and upholding the rights of vulnerable Indigenous communities through both legislative measures and financial assistance. We have our own indigenous community: the Irish Travelers. According to the 2022 census, there are 32,949 Irish Travelers living in Ireland. We are dedicated to supporting and upholding the rights of Irish Travelers and other indigenous peoples worldwide. We demonstrated this commitment by voting to adopt the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) in 2007. Ireland is a key donor and partner of The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). In 2024, We contributed over $26.91 million to various UNHCR initiatives, including programs focused on displacement and statelessness. We further ratified The ICCPR in 1989 which recognizes Indigenous peoples right to self-determination and their rights related to lands and natural resources. Furthermore, we implemented the Employment Equality Act, 1998, which ensures equality and protections against discrimination for members of the Traveler community and other minority groups. We hope that through international cooperation and policymaking we can foster a supportive environment where indigenous communities can thrive and maintain their unique identities and cultures. | |
| Committee: | GA Third |
| Topic: | Literacy for life |
| Paper text: | |
| Ireland is committed to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals, with a particular
focus on SDG 4, a quality education. Literacy is more than just the basic ability to read and to
write, but it can represent lifelong learning as well as personal and professional
development. It is for this reason that Ireland views literacy as a human right, and upholds
complete support for the Literacy for Life resolution. In the past few decades, Ireland has
made significant progress in literacy levels. The Programme for International Student
Assessment (PISA) and OECD reports Irish students have incredibly above-average scores,
however nearly 1 in 6 adults in Ireland have below-acceptable literacy levels, which may bar
their participation in society. Ireland has consistently been a supporter of literacy in other
states as well. Through the Irish Aid program, Ireland has provided support for education
and raising literacy levels in Africa, mainly offering aid in countries that have been
disproportionately impacted by conflict, poverty, and displacement. Ireland also supports
gender equality in the pursuit of education and works to advocate that young girls have
equal access to learning opportunities. We are also strong supporters of UNESCO and GPE,
who we have contributed to in an effort to strengthen literacy programs as well as
supporting training for educators and providing materials for classroom spaces.
| |
| Committee: | GA Plenary |
| Topic: | The human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment |
| Paper text: | |
| Ireland is one of the first countries in the world to consider instantiating the human right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment into their constitution. In 2019 Ireland declared a biodiversity crisis, as they concluded human activity drives special extinction at a disproportionate rate. Ireland faces the environmental crisis as it presents clear and present danger to the well being of Ireland's agricultural ecosystem. According to a survey done by the Office of Environmental Protection, more than one third of Ireland's protected species are in population decline, two thirds of Ireland's peatlands are damaged, and half of its freshwater systems are in "poor and deteriorating condition." The intended result of this addendum to the state constitution is allowing legal personhood to ecosystems. This would allow legal advocacy for environmental systems. We are looking forward to working with others in order to protect our environment. | |
| Committee: | GA Plenary |
| Topic: | Safety and security of humanitarian personnel and protection of United Nations personnel |
| Paper text: | |
| Ireland strongly advocates for the safety and security of humanitarian personnel and protection of United Nations personnel. Ireland views the protection of such personnel as necessary and fundamental to the upholding of international humanitarian law and standards, while ensuring human rights of the personnel and those receiving their aid. Ireland emphasizes the need to respect humanitarian and UN personnel for their neutrality, independence, and overall humanitarian altruism. Having ratified the Convention on Safety of the United Nations and Associated Personnel, Ireland remains on the forefront of this issue. Despite this widely accepted treaty, 11 UN Civilian Personnel died and 56 NGO workers were killed in 2022. This is despite the Convention's principles being reaffirmed by A/RES/76/127 in 2021. The situation has gotten only more dire with the recent activity in Gaza and Southern Lebanon. Strengthening accountability measures, including through war crimes prosecutions in the International Criminal Court are key to ensuring the safety of humanitarian personnel. Closer cooperation between member states and humanitarian groups via dedicated communication channels will also help squash confusion and encourage dialogue. Additionally, establishing a stronger connection between state actors and humanitarian workers will reduce the likelihood of accidental targeting by military personnel. Ireland calls upon all member states to protect humanitarian workers, and looks forward to working with any member states who look to further this goal. | |
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