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The Covid-19 pandemic has taken its toll on society, particularly on those who have lost loved ones to the virus, the Taoiseach has said.<\/p>\nThe Covid-19 pandemic has taken its toll on society, particularly on those who have lost loved ones to the virus, the Taoiseach has said.<\/p>\n
Miche\u00e1l Martin said the pandemic had impacted \u201cevery community in every country and indeed our entire way of life\u201d.<\/p>\n
Mr Martin made the comments ahead of his address at the 75th annual meeting of the United Nations General Assembly on Saturday.<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s General Assembly is taking place remotely, with heads of state and government of 196 countries delivering their statements via pre-recorded video messages.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis year\u2019s United Nations General Assembly is meeting in the shadow of Covid-19,\u201d Mr Martin said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe virtual format reminds us all of the need to keep our distance and limit our contacts; practices which are so simple but which have the power to help us arrest this deadly virus.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis pandemic has impacted every community in every country, and indeed our entire way of life.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt has taken its toll on society, particularly those who have lost loved ones, or who have contracted the virus themselves and are suffering from its lasting after-effects.\u201d<\/p>\n
But he said the pandemic had also brought out an \u201cincredible motivation for people to work together to combat this fatal virus\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe pandemic reminds us that multilateral responses to global challenges remain essential.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn an interconnected and interdependent world, even the strongest cannot succeed alone,\u201d the Taoiseach said.<\/p>\n
Ireland is set to take up a seat on the UN Security Council next year.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe join the Council with firm principles and clear priorities \u2013 building peace, strengthening prevention and ensuring accountability,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese are at the heart of the Council\u2019s mandate.<\/p>\n
\u201cIreland has a strong and proud record of UN peacekeeping and I am confident that we will be to the fore in promoting the core values of building and maintaining international peace and security.\u201d<\/p>\n