SEVENTY YEARS AGO today, Ireland joined the United Nations. For a country that had for so long fought for its independence, taking our place among the nations of the world was a proud moment.

Today, we can be enormously proud of the contribution we have made to the UN over the last seven decades. Some people will tell you that the UN is antiquated and past its sell by date. But the truth is that we need it now more than ever.

The world feels more unstable now than at any other period in our lifetimes.

Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine and Israel’s assault on Gaza have caused horror. Millions of people in Sudan are living through a nightmare as war rips their country apart.

Sudan is regarded as the worst humanitarian crisis in the world today. Over 150,000 people have been killed and over 12 million people have been forced to flee their homes due to the conflict.

Meanwhile, climate change threatens us all. It is already having a devastating impact on the poorest people in the world. Droughts, floods and extreme weather are forcing people to leave their homes.

It is clear that international cooperation is urgently needed.

Sadly, many countries are going the other way.

They are reducing their cooperation, slashing their aid budgets and pulling back from the UN.

This has already shown to have catastrophic effects. Reports this month have shown that cuts to aid will have a catastrophic impact on the rates of HIV and Aids in parts of Africa. It is predicted that these funding cuts could lead to 3.3 million new HIV infections up to 2030.

Cuts to aid budgets will also lead to instability. Bad actors and extremists thrive where there is instability. Just look at the situation in Afghanistan where the Taliban are now back in power. Women and girls in Afghanistan have been the first to feel the impact of their persecution and denial of basic human rights.

This is why Ireland believes in the UN. We believe in countries working together to solve the problems we all face.

The UN system is the best way for us to deal with these problems at source.

This is not only the selfless thing to do, but it is a smart policy to help people remain in their homes, free from persecution, with a chance to lives their lives to the fullest.

So while other nations step back from their international obligations, Ireland is stepping up.

In Budget 2026, the Government of Ireland increased the Irish Aid budget by €30 million. Ireland invests 0.56% of our national income in supporting people around the world. It is affordable and it is a good investment.

In December of this year, as Minister with responsibility for International Development, I announced funding of €21.5 million to the UN to support rapid response to humanitarian crises around the world.

This funding from Ireland will support the UN to respond quickly and effectively when communities are plunged into crisis. This money will and does save lives.

The UN isn’t perfect. It needs to develop and become more agile in order to respond effectively to the crises facing the world today. However, retreating to isolationism is not the answer to these issues. We live in a world that is changing rapidly. But it is crucially important that we stay true to our values.

Ireland’s values of international solidarity, humanitarianism, and development are absolutely aligned with the UN. What is needed is for all nations to reaffirm and recommit themselves to the UN.

Only by standing together as an international community can we begin to tackle these global crises. The UN is the best and only vehicle that we have for this enormous task.

Joining the UN 70 years ago today was a moment of enormous pride for our country. Today, we can restate our commitment to the goals and values of the United Nations.

Ireland will not be silent in defending our shared values.

Neale Richmond is the Minister of State with responsibility for International Development and Diaspora.