The Secretary-General met today with Mr. Eamon Gilmore T.D., Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade of Ireland.

They exchanged views on the situation in Syria, the global economic and financial crisis, global economic governance and the outcomes of the G20 Summit in St. Petersburg.  They also discussed human rights and Ireland’s experience as a member of the Human Rights Council. 

The Secretary-General and the Deputy Prime Minister exchanged views on the climate change agenda and prospects for a global, legally binding climate change treaty in 2015, with the Secretary-General commending Ireland’s leadership on climate change. They also discussed progress made towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals and defining a post-2015 development agenda.

The Secretary-General thanked Ireland for its continued commitment to international development and humanitarian assistance and its support to the United Nations in the field of mediation and conflict prevention.