The Global Ireland strategy represents a bold and ambitious effort to expand Ireland’s influence across various domains, including diplomacy, culture, business, overseas development assistance, tourism, and trade.
The Global Ireland strategy represents a bold and ambitious effort to expand Ireland’s influence across various domains, including diplomacy, culture, business, overseas development assistance, tourism, and trade.
The Ireland government, led by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Tánaiste Micheál Martin, and Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications and Transport, Eamon Ryan, has launched a comprehensive review of its Global Ireland strategy.
The strategic initiative, initiated in 2018, aimed to elevate Ireland’s global standing by doubling its international engagement impact by the year 2025.
The Global Ireland strategy represents a bold and ambitious effort to expand Ireland’s influence across various domains, including diplomacy, culture, business, overseas development assistance, tourism, and trade.
Since its inception, the strategy has achieved remarkable milestones that have bolstered Ireland’s resilience in the face of recent global challenges.
Among the critical achievements highlighted during the press conference, Ireland’s successful election to the prestigious United Nations Security Council was acknowledged as a significant diplomatic triumph.
Furthermore, the country has established 22 new missions worldwide, marking a pivotal step in strengthening diplomatic ties and fostering fruitful collaborations with international partners.
“Global Ireland is a statement of ambition. An ambition for Ireland to be more visible, more active, and more successful in promoting our interests and values around the world,” said Varadkar.
On the economic front, Ireland has proudly opened eight new Enterprise Ireland offices and a new Bord Bia office, showcasing its commitment to grow and diversify export markets and attract crucial inward investments.
In light of the strategy’s comprehensive scope, the Irish Industrial Development Authority has expanded its presence to ten new strategic locations, cementing Ireland’s reputation as a prime destination for international investments.
Varadkar emphasized that the Global Ireland strategy has not only elevated Ireland’s presence and influence globally but enabled the nation to passionately advocate for its foreign policy objectives.
Among these objectives are promoting international development, fostering peace, disarmament, and democratic security worldwide.
The strategy has also played a pivotal role in nurturing stronger ties with Ireland’s massive diaspora, estimated at 70 million strong, and showcasing the nation’s rich cultural heritage to a broader audience.
As part of the review process, the Government’s expert panel assessed the strategy’s 2018 objectives to determine their continued effectiveness.
The findings indicated that the implementation of the Global Ireland 2025 strategy has indeed reaped substantial benefits for the country.
Ireland’s ability to withstand and adapt to the challenges of recent years was enhanced, while the country’s active contributions to addressing national and global issues received widespread acclaim.
While celebrating these remarkable achievements, the review also pointed out areas where greater focus and action are required in the period ahead.
In April this year, Ireland witnessed a significant surge in international arrivals, with over 1.78 million people traveling to the country from abroad.
According to the Irish Universities Association, Ireland also currently hosts a diverse selection of courses, attracting more than 32,000 international students to study in the country.
Moreover, a recent report by the Higher Education Policy Institute and Universities UK International revealed that the international student population in Northern Ireland has made a substantial economic contribution of approximately $1.2 billion to the region.
