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From:Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Helen McEntee TD, today (14 September) formally announced this year’s United Nations Youth Delegates, Adam Donovan and Ciara O’Brien.

Over the next year, Adam and Ciara will develop their understanding of foreign policy issues and engage with the youth of Ireland on the international issues that matter to them. The delegates will represent the young people of Ireland at UN events including later this month, where they will join Minister McEntee at the UN General Assembly (UNGA) High Level Week, and at the UNGA’s Third Committee, which emphasises peace and security, human rights and sustainable development.

Welcoming the delegates, Minister McEntee said: “It is a pleasure to announce Adam and Ciara as Ireland’s UN Youth Delegates for 2026-2027. I have long believed in the importance of elevating the voices of young people to ensure their fair participation in our work, at home and overseas. The UN Youth Delegate Programme is a fantastic platform for ensuring the youth of Ireland are represented on the issues that matter most to them.

The Minister continued: “Adam and Ciara will play a vital role in representing the youth of Ireland and advocating for change and development within the UN system. Working alongside their fellow UN Youth Delegates from around the world, they will amplify the voices of young people and ensure foreign policy is reflective and inclusive of youth perspectives.

“As Ireland prepares for our election to the UN Human Rights Council for the upcoming year, we strive to look at the impact of human rights violations on young people across the world; this is a topic that Adam and Ciara will highlight in their role as Youth Delegates.

“I am delighted to support this programme, and I look forward to working with Adam and Ciara in the year ahead.”

UN Youth Delegate Adam Donovan said: "It is a great honour to serve as Ireland’s UN Youth Delegate and to represent the voices, experiences and aspirations of young people at home and on the international stage. Having first become involved in a youth organisation at the age of nine, I have experienced first-hand the impact that meaningful youth participation can have in shaping a young person’s outlook and future.

“These experiences have instilled in me a strong belief that young people should be active participants in the decisions that affect their lives. Throughout our term, I am particularly committed to ensuring that young people from disadvantaged and underrepresented communities are included in these conversations and empowered to make their voices heard.

“Alongside Ciara, I look forward to engaging with young people across Ireland, amplifying their priorities on the global stage and ensuring their perspectives are reflected in our work as we proudly represent Ireland. Mol an óige agus tiocfaidh sí."

UN Youth Delegate Ciara O’Brien said: "I am delighted to get the opportunity to represent young people living in Ireland at the United Nations this year. I learned advocacy skills from other young people through some of the amazing youth spaces we have in Ireland. I am grateful to every young person who has been part of that, and I look forward to bringing what they taught me to international discussions, while also bringing new learnings back to young people too.

“Good decisions require buy-in from all stakeholders; Adam and I are here to ensure that one of the largest stakeholder groups in Ireland — young people who live here — are represented in high-level conversations throughout the year. I want young people to see themselves in our statements, our outreach and our advocacy."

Throughout the year, the UN Youth Delegates will collaborate with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, along with Irish Aid, Ireland’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations and the National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI).