THE WORLD needs a strong and effective United Nations, particularly in light of new and intensified global challenges, Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin told the UN General Assembly yesterday.
In a wide-ranging speech, Mr Martin echoed the call for reform made by dozens of world leaders in the past week. Issues such as climate change, the economic turmoil of recent months, rising food and energy prices, HIV/Aids and terrorism could only be tackled effectively by an international community united in purpose, he said.
"The principles and the work of the United Nations have never been needed more," he told the assembly. "Its principles give us a firm foundation. Continuing reform will give us even stronger tools. What remains to be proven is our collective will to use them."
Acknowledging that efforts had been made to usher in reform, Mr Martin said much remains to be done. "We should not shy away from issues just because they are difficult to tackle," he added.
The Minister expressed disappointment that not enough progress had been made towards reaching the Millennium Development Goals 2015 target date, and urged a redoubling of efforts on the issue.
Mr Martin talked of Ireland's participation in the EU mission to Chad, and discussed the State's efforts in the areas of overseas development, conflict resolution, and disarmament.
Turning to the Middle East, he said it was a "particular source of sadness" that a lasting peace remained elusive despite "great efforts".
An end to the construction of illegal Israeli settlements would send a strong signal of good faith at a "difficult and uncertain time", he added.
The Minister's speech also touched on the situations in Darfur, Zimbabwe and Burma.
In addition, Mr Martin called for the full withdrawal of Russian military forces from Georgia by early October and urged both governments to engage constructively in talks scheduled for next month.