The 43rd meeting of the British-Irish Council will take place in County Down on Friday, with artificial intelligence set to be a key focus as representatives from across the British Isles gather to discuss political developments and shared challenges.
The summit, established under the Good Friday Agreement to promote mutually beneficial development, will bring together senior political figures including Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris, alongside representatives from the Northern Ireland Executive, UK Government, and the governments of Scotland, Wales, Jersey and the Isle of Man.
The meeting marks the first British-Irish Council summit to be held in Northern Ireland since the restoration of the Executive and Assembly last year, highlighting the improved political stability in the region.
Speaking ahead of the summit, Taoiseach Micheál Martin expressed optimism about inter-island relations. “Relations across these islands are in a good place and there is always more that can be done to deepen cooperation and unlock potential to the benefit of all,” he said.
Martin added that he looked forward to discussing “our own shared, and international challenges” with Ireland’s nearest neighbours during the summit.
Tánaiste Simon Harris emphasized the significance of the Northern Ireland venue, noting the importance of the British-Irish Council as “a very useful forum to discuss issues of topical concern across these islands.”
“This is vitally important, particularly at a time when we are focused strongly on realising the potential of relationships across these islands,” Harris said.
The focus on artificial intelligence reflects growing recognition of the technology’s impact across all participating jurisdictions, with governments seeking to coordinate approaches to regulation, opportunities, and challenges presented by AI development.
The British-Irish Council serves as a unique forum for cooperation between the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the Crown Dependencies, facilitating dialogue on issues affecting the broader British Isles region.
The summit comes at a time of renewed stability in Northern Ireland politics and represents an opportunity for leaders to strengthen collaborative relationships across traditional boundaries.