Sir, – We are in tumultuous times – preparedness efforts and response plans are no match for the severity of storms and earthquakes, like those in Turkey, Greece, Libya and Morocco. Leaders globally must ensure lives are saved and hope is not lost.
Ireland is a global leader in promoting development. Next week Ireland will co-chair the Summit on Sustainable Development Goals together with Qatar, at the United Nations General Assembly.
The summit is a timely moment for world leaders to change course, and it is vital that they take it. Over 800 million people go to bed hungry every night. The picture of global inequality and instability is a shocking indictment of global leadership.
Ireland’s leadership on development is reflected in political decisions at home and abroad. Budget 2024 should reflect Ireland’s values – a budget that makes progress on the sustainable development goals in Ireland and in countries of greatest need.
Ireland must continue on its path of progress towards achieving the target of 0.7 per cent GDP, and ensure that official development aid is spent where it is most needed.
A lot is depending next week on the success of our diplomatic team at the UN as they seek to galvanise the international community to address the shocking impact of increasing conflict and climate change on the world’s most vulnerable people.
We need a message of hope and intent to be shared with the world. – Yours, etc,
DAVID REGAN,
Chief Executive,
Concern Worldwide,
Dublin 2.