UN:TAOISEACH BRIAN Cowen will join scores of international leaders in New York today for a high-level UN summit on development at which he will discuss a report recommending how the Government can play an advocacy role in tackling global hunger, writes Mary Fitzgerald, Foreign Affairs Correspondent in New York
Mr Cowen arrived in New York last night, ahead of today's meeting, which has been called by UN secretary general Ban Ki-Moon to reaffirm commitments to achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015.
Following on from UN reports that found several countries falling behind in their MDG pledges, Mr Ban has repeatedly expressed concern that soaring food prices and the turbulence affecting global markets could seriously undermine progress in achieving the targets.
Earlier this week, the secretary general said he would use today's summit, which takes place on the sidelines of the UN's annual general assembly debate, to press world leaders and representatives from civil society and the private sector to undertake "ambitious and concrete" plans to ensure that the development goals are implemented by the 2015 deadline.
Before the summit convenes this morning, Mr Ban will join the Taoiseach, Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin and Minister for Overseas Development Peter Power at UN headquarters for the launch of the hunger taskforce report.
The taskforce, which was called for in the 2006 White Paper on Irish Aid, drew together 15 Irish and international experts to recommend ways in which the State's overseas development strategy could be strengthened and refocused to address food insecurity, particularly in Africa.
Chaired by former minister for agriculture Joe Walsh, the taskforce includes Josette Sheeran of the World Food Programme, economist Jeffrey Sachs and Bono. Among the other members are chief executive of Concern Tom Arnold and Trócaire director Justin Kilcullen.
At an early stage, the taskforce decided to focus on increasing agricultural productivity as well as improving nutrition. Those two issues, along with an undertaking to encourage political commitment at both national and international level, will form the core of the report's recommendations.
The taskforce will also suggest ways in which Ireland can play a leading role in global advocacy on the issue. The report proposes the appointment of a "special envoy for hunger" to engage across Government and with NGOs in addition to representing Ireland at international forums.
The Taoiseach is expected to discuss the content of the report at a roundtable discussion on poverty and hunger to be held at UN headquarters following the opening session of the MDG meeting.
The UN's 63rd annual general assembly debate continued yesterday with speeches from world leaders, including Afghan president Hamid Karzai.
Mr Karzai called on the international community to redouble its efforts to combat terrorism.
"Terrorist forces have significantly increased their attacks and brutality and enjoyed freedom in their sanctuaries," he told the assembly, citing last weekend's hotel blast in Islamabad, the recent bombing of the Indian embassy in Kabul and attacks this year in Indian cities, including Bangalore, as examples of "terrorists' growing reach".
Terrorism will not be eliminated until its institutional support in the region and secure sanctuaries are dismantled, the Afghan president argued. This would not be possible if there was not sincere regional and international co-operation, he added.