Minister of State with responsibility for overseas aid Conor Lenihan will attend a major speech by outgoing UN Secretary General Kofi Annan in New York today.
Mr Lenihan is visiting the UN headquarters to review Irish aid co-operation with UN agencies as well as reforms with the UN system.
Mr Lenihan yesterday attended the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) international donors' pledging conference for 2007.
The Minister said Ireland was doubling its contribution to €20 million to the CERF. The emergency response fund helps to save lives and alleviate the suffering of millions of people affected by conflict or natural hazards.