Drogheda Independent

Geraldine’s diplomatic skills earns UN spot

- BY HUBERT MURPHY

DROGHEDA’S premier stateswoma­n, Ireland’s UN Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason, has been heralded as the mastermind behind securing Ireland a place as a Non-Permanent Member of the United Nations Security Council.

Ireland defeated Canada in a vote in the UN in New York last week to secure the two-year term. It runs from January 2021. Ireland joined India, Mexico and Norway in the role.

The role of Ms Byrne Nason, a native of Ballsgrove and who was afforded the Freedom of the Town of Drogheda during the last ever term of Mayor Paul Bell, has been recognised around the world.

The Irish embassy in Australia remarked, ‘Comhghaird­eas to our Ambassador, Geraldine Byrne Nason for achieving an incredible result.’

The Irish group remarked,’ looking forward to working with our partners from all around the world to promote our shared values of peace, justice, and human rights.’

Geraldine had a bit of support along the way in her fight, not least from Bono and former President,

Mary Robinson, who both visited NYC as part of the campaign. As part of her role, Geraldine will be sitting at the famed ‘Horseshoe Table’ from January.

‘ The election of Ireland to the Security Council of the United Nations for the period 2021-2022 is a cause for celebratio­n. The work of a dedicated team has been recognised, and I congratula­te them on having brought what was a principled campaign, in a competitiv­e environmen­t, to both fruition and success.

‘ The support Ireland has received vindicates the decision to run a campaign that did not avoid the issues that are urgent, such as peace-building and peacekeepi­ng, the eliminatio­n of global poverty,’ President Higgins stated.

Drogheda’s premier stateswoma­n delivers on the world stage

 ??  ?? Ambassador Byrne Nason
Ambassador Byrne Nason

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