UN:A possible central role for Ireland in driving forward the reform agenda at the United Nations will be among the items for discussion when the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Ahern, meets the UN Secretary General in New York tomorrow.
During his one-week visit to the US, Mr Ahern will also travel to Washington DC for meetings with President Bush's special envoy on Northern Ireland, Dr Mitchell Reiss, and senior politicians including Senators Edward Kennedy, John McCain and Hillary Clinton.
A high-level panel issued a comprehensive report on UN reform last December and the Secretary-General will give his considered response to their proposals next month. A final decision on changes is expected during a summit of world leaders in New York in September which will also review progress towards the Millennium Development Goals for reducing poverty and disease.
According to Government sources, Mr Ahern will suggest that Ireland, "as a non-aligned neutral without a colonial past", could play a central role in pushing for UN reforms. "Ireland would be happy to help drive the reform agenda," they said.
The most controversial recommendation in the report of the high-level panel was for expansion of the UN Security Council.
The Government has not commented on the specifics but would support a better regional balance among the council membership, which is heavily dominated by Western powers.
"Dermot Ahern and Ireland would be happy to play a helpful role in delivering reform and lobbying like-minded countries," Government sources said.
Mr Annan is on record, in an Irish Times interview, as being an admirer of Ireland's diplomatic skills, especially in securing the acceptance of the EU Constitutional Treaty in Brussels last June. It is thought likely he would welcome more active Irish involvement in the UN reform process.
A more relevant, effective and efficient UN is in line with the Irish foreign policy aim of more effective multilateralism in world affairs, especially on security issues. The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, is expected to attend the New York summit in September where UN changes are due to be agreed.
The Government has not taken any public position on Germany's campaign for a permanent seat on the Security Council, alongside EU partners France and the UK, who have been permanent members from the start.
Mr Ahern has been heavily involved in relief efforts since the tsunami disaster in south-east Asia. In his meeting with Mr Annan, he is expected to highlight the need for a "civilian response unit" drawn from different countries which would be available to assist in disaster areas.
Ireland has already been promoting this idea at EU level, both in the recent meeting of foreign ministers and during visits by the Minister to Sweden and Finland.
Developments in Sudan are also due to be discussed. Mr Annan has called for a 10,000-strong UN peacekeeping force to monitor the recent peace agreement between the civil war factions in Sudan. This is a very large contingent by UN standards and, if the is proposal agreed, Ireland is likely to be asked to send military personnel as observers.
There is already a small number of Irish military in Darfur as part of the EU-African Union liaison operation.
Iraq since the recent elections is also on the agenda and, in that context, the continuing investigation by the former head of the US Federal Reserve, Mr Paul Volcker, into the UN's oil-for-food programme is likely to be discussed. The Middle East peace process is also on the agenda.