Science Summit at United Nations General Assembly (UNGA78)

Ireland Day led by University College Dublin as part of the Science Summit at UNGA78 78th brings international experts together at the Irish Permanent Mission to the United Nations to discuss the important role of research and collaboration in attaining the UN SDGs and examine how Ireland is contributing to these global objectives in Achieving Sustainable and Equitable Food Systems, Deliberative Democracies and Health Cooperation Post Conflict.
 
The Good Friday Agreement, 25 years ago, ended decades of conflict that caused thousands to lose their lives and embedded deep divisions among the people of Northern Ireland. The Agreement was signed by the governments of the UK and the Republic of Ireland and was guaranteed by the US Government. Resulting from the Agreement a partnership was signed between the Departments of Health for Northern Ireland, Ireland and the US National Cancer Institute giving rise to the Ireland-Northern Ireland - National Cancer Institute Cancer Consortium with the aim of reducing cancer incidence and mortality on the island of Ireland through cross-border and transatlantic collaborations in cancer research and education.

Since then the consortium has enabled over 30,000 cancer patients to be enrolled in clinical trials, gaining access to the latest cancer treatments and therapies, with thousands of lives saved and over 550 cancer professionals have been trained to diagnose and treat cancer. The panel will discuss how this collaboration has opened up other health partnerships across the island of Ireland demonstrating the constructive dynamic fostering innovation and collaboration arising post conflict and 25 years after the Good Friday Agreement look towards the future to discuss what’s possible next.