Tánaiste welcomes appointment of Mary Robinson as UN Special Envoy for the Great Lakes region

DUBLIN, Ireland, March 18, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Eamon Gilmore T.D., has welcomed the announcement by UN Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon, of the appointment of Mary Robinson as UN Special Envoy for the Great Lakes region. The Tánaiste said:

“I warmly welcome the decision to appoint former President Robinson to this important position. Her exceptional skills and experience as well as her global profile and reputation make her the ideal choice for this role.

“Ireland has had a long and significant involvement in efforts to promote peace and stability in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a country which has for far too long endured conflict and tragedy. Ireland strongly supports the leadership offered by the United Nations, and in particular the personal diplomatic engagement of the Secretary-General, in this renewed effort to break the cycle of violence in eastern DRC.

“Yet the challenges will only be met and overcome through resolute African action. In overseeing the implementation of the new regional Agreement, former President Mary Robinson will play a central role in facilitating and encouraging leaders of the region to address through dialogue and cooperation the challenges faced by the Democratic Republic of the Congo and countries of the region.

“Over the past two years in Government, I have worked closely with Mary Robinson and with the Mary Robinson Foundation-Climate Justice on the vital issues of poverty, hunger and climate change in the world today. On 14-15 April we will co-host a major international conference in Dublin Castle on Hunger Nutrition and Climate Justice. I want to pay tribute to her ongoing work in this area and to wish her every success in her new position, where she can count on the full support of the Irish Government.”