First Minister holds inaugural Ireland-Wales Ministerial Forum
Y Prif Weinidog yn cynnal Fforwm Gweinidogol cyntaf Iwerddon-Cymru
The First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford, will today host the first Ireland-Wales Forum to be held in Cardiff with Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney T.D.
The forum is a key commitment set out in the Shared Statement and Joint Action Plan launched in March of this year. Both Governments will commit to strengthen the political and economic ties between the two countries.
As we look ahead to the COP26 summit in Glasgow the Forum is a chance to discuss co-operation on green energy, climate action and shared ambitions to meet Net Zero targets.
The First Minister said,
“It will be a pleasure to welcome Minister Coveney and colleagues to Wales.
“The Forum is a symbol of our joint commitment to strengthening our existing ties at political, economic and cultural level.
“These talks are another example of bonds strengthening between the two Celtic countries.
“I look forward to continuing to build on our existing relationship and deepen co-operation with our closest European Union neighbour.”
Speaking ahead of the Forum, Minister Coveney said,
“I am delighted to have the opportunity to meet with First Minister Mark Drakeford today and, together with him, co-chair the Inaugural Ireland Wales Forum.
“We launched an ambitious framework for the Ireland Wales relationship earlier this year and one of our shared priorities was to strengthen the Ireland Wales relationship and deepen cooperation.
“I believe the Ireland Wales Forum will be an excellent platform for doing so and I am pleased to be joined by Minister Troy and Minister Ryan today”.
The delegation will hear from Future Leaders Academy and the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales. They will give an overview of the priorities of young people in Wales for COP26.
During the event the First Minister will announce nine co-operation projects with Ireland. The funds were facilitated through the ScORE Cymru programme launched by the Welsh European Funding Office this summer. The successful selected projects in fields such as energy, coastal communities, trade and tourism, creative industries, culture and language will further boost collaboration through industry and research links across a range of sectors.
After the Forum, the First Minister and Minister Coveney will attend the official opening of the Irish Consulate in Cardiff.
Notes to editors
The Economy Minister, Vaughan Gething, and the Irish Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Robert Troy will travel to Cardiff Bay to undertake a short visit at the Life Sciences Hub Wales to discuss potential collaboration opportunities in this key sector. As part of the visit they will meet with the following companies that have a strong links between Wales and Ireland:
- Life Sciences Hub Wales (LSHUB)
- Digital Health Ecosystem Wales (DHEW)
- Accelerate Wales
- Celtic Advanced Life Sciences Network (CALIN)
Wales-Ireland Shared Statement and Joint Action Plan - Ireland-Wales shared statement and joint action plan 2021 to 2025 | GOV.WALES
The Welsh Government call for applications from organisations in Wales provided support for two strands of activity: 1. maximise engagement in Horizon Europe, and 2. increase Irish Sea co-operation.
Horizon Europe is the European Union’s seven-year research and innovation programme. More information on Horizon Europe: Horizon Europe | European Commission (europa.eu). The Welsh Government Horizon Europe Unit is available to support Welsh organisations considering and applying to Horizon Europe. This includes financial support to provide access to training, bid development expertise or activities to start research with overseas collaborators, including Ireland.
The list of companies that were successful are:
- Aberystwyth University
- Bangor University
- BIC Innovation Ltd
- Cardiff Metropolitan University
- Cardiff University
- Hexigone Inhibitors Ltd
- Menai Science Park Ltd
- Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum
- Swansea University
- University of South Wales
- Welsh Council For Voluntary Action
For any filming opportunities at the Forum or Consulate please contact Will Davies (william.davies@gov.wales / 07778 573733) or Gwyddno Dafydd (Gwyddno.dafydd001@gov.wales / 07971 888673)