Taoiseach calls for global push to end conflicts during Ireland’s first G20 summit speech

In a landmark G20 appearance, Micheál Martin pressed world leaders to end major conflicts and support inclusive global growth

The Taoiseach said the world must end ongoing conflicts and that international laws must be upheld.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has called for an end to the wars in Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan in Ireland’s first-ever speech to the G20 summit.

Ireland was invited to the G20 in Johannesburg by South Africa as a guest country, with Mr Martin attending several events with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa over the last few days.

In his address to the G20 session on inclusive and sustainable economic growth, “leaving no one behind”, the Taoiseach said the world must end ongoing conflicts and that international laws must be upheld.

“Our world is ever more interconnected and interdependent and working collaboratively in best way we can serve our people,” Mr Martin told the gathering of leaders.

“Our long-standing commitment to international law, multilateralism and active engagement in international fora motivates us to advocate for an inclusive international system that leaves no one behind.

“In that context, there is an urgent need to end war and conflict. War and conflict damages and undermines economies and economic growth.

“In that context, there must be renewed efforts to end the illegal invasion of Ukraine by Russia and the war that has ensued, and also the horrors of Gaza and the appalling situation in Sudan.

“We must work very hard to end these wars, in addition to the many other conflicts.

“Ireland advocates for economic growth to be inclusive, to be resilient and to be environmentally sustainable.

“Our focus has always been on investment in human capital in terms of education and training as the key underpinning of economic growth into the future.

“Economic growth has to contribute to equality, to poverty reduction, and must align with international commitments and climate.” 

The Taoiseach stated that economic growth must “contribute to equality and poverty reduction” and align with international commitments on climate action and environmental protection.

He also stated that women’s economic empowerment is “crucially important as a direct pathway towards gender equality, poverty eradication and inclusive economic growth”.

Mr Martin stated that digital inclusion is a “key enabler of a growing economy”, and that “trade and investment need to create opportunities for those considered the furthest behind, particularly women and marginalised groups.”

He called for the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to be “modernised” to “address the impact of the increasing use of trade-distorting industrial policies”.

The Taoiseach will attend several bilateral meetings throughout Saturday, as well as joining meetings on Ukraine.