Two major international agreements on global development and climate change are to be signed later this year, according to the Minister for Development, Trade Promotion, and North South Co-operation, Seán Sherlock, TD.

The agreements, to be signed in September and December, are aimed at eradicating poverty, addressing environmental degradation and climate change, and building a more peaceful, fair and sustainable world.

-- Advertisement --

Ireland has been appointed the co-facilitators, along with Kenya, of the Sustainable Development Goals negotiations which will seek to reach an agreement among all of the world's 193 countries in September 2015 at the United Nations.

Minister Sherlock said: "Our appointment is testament to the reputation of Ireland’s aid programme, Irish Aid; and our proud record of promoting human rights and participation in peacekeeping across the world."

Major negotiations on legally-binding measures to cut carbon emissions will culminate in a high-level summit in Paris in December.

(CD/IT)