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Ireland to double its impact in Asia as part of next phase of Global Ireland 2025

20190708 Global Ireland

The Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, and Tánaiste, Simon Coveney, have today (Monday) announced that Ireland plans to double its impact in the Asia Pacific region, as part of the next phase of Global Ireland 2025. They were speaking alongside a number of Government Ministers at the Global Ireland Summit in Dublin Castle.

Global Ireland is a multi-annual, whole-of-government strategy to double the scope and impact of Ireland’s global footprint by 2025. It is the most ambitious renewal and expansion of Ireland’s international presence ever undertaken.

A new Asia Pacific Strategy will be launched in Autumn to set out the path as to how Ireland will double its impact in Asia, with a major conference on growing Ireland’s footprint in the Pacific. This will include a new communications strategy to increase Ireland’s visibility in the region, kicking off during the Rugby World Cup in Japan, to promote Ireland as a great place to invest, study, trade with, and visit.

It was also announced that as part of the new Diaspora strategy, which will be launched during the global St Patrick’s Day celebrations next year, the Government will convene a ‘Youth Forum’ to engage with this generation’s young Irish Diaspora, with a focus on emerging leaders, youth networks and expanding opportunities for our Diaspora to engage with Ireland.

Speaking at the event, the Taoiseach said:

Through the first year of the Global Ireland programme, we have made good progress on our aim to double Ireland’s global impact by 2025. We are opening new embassies and consulates because we know that by expanding and enhancing Ireland’s presence overseas we can grow our economy here at home and increase our influence internationally.

As a small open economy, I believe it is vital that Ireland is open to opportunities on a global scale. Global Ireland is not a response to Brexit, but it will certainly help us to deal with the consequences of the UK leaving the EU. While some of our allies and neighbours may be turning inwards, we are sending out a clear message that Ireland believes in multilateralism and international cooperation on tackling some of the biggest challenges facing the globe, including climate change and the rise of populism.

The Tánaiste welcomed the initiative, saying:

Looking back at one year of Global Ireland, I think we can be pleased with some of our achievements.  The new Embassies and diplomatic offices that we have opened are a clear signal of intent and are already providing practical assistance to Irish citizens, Irish businesses and Irish cultural voices.  This is where we are seeing the real value of Global Ireland.  We have to keep the momentum up and build on this investment to enhance our global presence.

The press release can be read in full here.