Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney presented to Government a report on the second year of the implementation of Ireland’s Africa Strategy. The report was presented on the eve of Africa Day, which is celebrated today (Wednesday, May 25th).
Commenting on the report, Minister Coveney said, “Ireland made considerable progress to advance the objectives of the Africa Strategy throughout 2021. Ireland’s trade in goods increased to a record level of €2.42 billion, while trade in services reached all-time high of just over €4 billion, with growth in services exports up by 300% in the ten years to 2020.
“Our diplomatic network in Africa was extended with the opening of an Embassy in Morocco and this will expand further with an additional Embassy in Senegal. Another key highlight was Ireland becoming an associate member of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries, deepening our links with Portuguese-speaking countries in Africa and around the world.
“2021 saw Ireland take up its role as an elected member of the United Nations Security Council, which has further enabled Ireland to play a leadership role in contributing to peace and security in Africa. Ireland worked closely with African partners on key Security Council matters including through our role as co-penholders on the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel and co-chairs of the Informal Expert Group on Climate and Security. Ireland has also been at the forefront of efforts to address the conflict in Ethiopia at the Council. I was delighted to be able to visit both Kenya and Somalia last year which proved vital in informing our work on the Council.”
Speaking from Mozambique, where he is meeting Irish Aid partners working in the health, education, climate, and nutrition sectors, Minister of State for Overseas Development Aid and the Diaspora, Colm Brophy T.D., said, “I am delighted to be able to see first-hand the impact of Ireland’s longstanding commitment to bilateral cooperation with Mozambique. Ireland is making a positive and sustainable difference in the lives of people here. As we mark Africa Day, this review shows how Ireland is deepening and strengthening political, economic, and cultural relationships with Africa.
“The pandemic had a serious impact on people who were already furthest behind. Ireland has responded by increasing our international development assistance budget to over €1 billion for 2022. This will allow for increased investment in partner countries across Africa to recover from the impact of the pandemic, and also to respond to the consequences of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“Ireland will contribute €800 million for global nutrition over the next five years. We will also continue to play a leading role on climate action. This was evident through the commitment made by the Taoiseach at COP26 to more than double Ireland’s international climate finance to at least €225 million per year by 2025.”