Irish-led UN negotiations lead to draft refugee agreement

Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan has welcomed the conclusion of Irish-led UN negotiations on a new global approach to the issues facing refugees and migrants.

Complex negotiations between the UN’s 193 member states were co-chaired by Ireland’s Ambassador to the United Nations in New York over the past five months and have led to a draft agreement which will be put to a meeting on 19 September.

The Government said the agreement has a strong human rights focus, with clear undertakings by UN member states to protect the human rights of all refugees and migrants, regardless of status.

Mr Flanagan said it is “a landmark achievement of Irish diplomacy”.

He added: “Ireland’s role in driving this agreement demonstrates once again our profound commitment to the UN and the contribution we can make in responding to the greatest challenges facing the world.

“I congratulate Ambassador David Donoghue, Ireland’s Permanent Representative to the UN, and his team in New York on this outstanding success.

“I also congratulate Peter Sutherland, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for International Migration, for his tireless work on behalf of migrants for many years.

“Peter will be playing an important role in support of negotiations to deliver a Global Compact on migration in 2018, and I know his experience and skill will be both necessary and timely.”