Plans to deepen co-operation between Ireland and Wales over the
next five years will be agreed today at the Ireland-Wales Forum,
with the launch of the new Ireland-Wales Shared Statement 2030.
Tánaiste Simon Harris TD and First Minister of Wales will meet in Swansea today,
launching the new statement which will build on the success of
the 2021-2025 Ireland-Wales Shared Statement.
The two governments will commit to develop closer ties in a range
of different areas, to include cooperation related to renewable
energy, research and innovation, while strengthening the historic
cultural and linguistic bonds that connect the two nations.
The 2030 Statement establishes a framework for bilateral
co-operation until the end of the decade, following on from the
previous agreement signed in Cardiff in March 2021.
The Statement outlines six areas for collaboration:
- Political and Official Engagement
- Climate, Energy, Environment and Sustainability
- Economy and Trade
- Education, Research and Innovation
- Culture, Language and Heritage
- Communities, Diaspora and Sport
Tánaiste Simon Harris said:
“Our relationship with Wales remains very important to Ireland.
The Shared Statement underlines the breadth of connection between
us – across trade, research, energy, culture and language.
This is all underpinned and cemented by our vibrant and rich
people-to-people connections.
“The new Shared Statement to 2030 allows us build on the
excellent cooperation of recent years. It will provide
renewed focus and momentum, carrying forward this unique and
vibrant partnership into the next decade.”
First Minister added:
"The Statement marks a significant step forward in our
relationship with Ireland. By working together on shared
priorities we can achieve far more than we could alone.
“This partnership demonstrates the strength of our historic bonds
and our commitment to tackling common challenges together. From
renewable energy to research, from language to culture, we are
united by common values and aspirations."
At today's Forum, the First Minister and Tánaiste will see
tangible examples of co-operation, including researchers at
Swansea University working with colleagues in Cork and Limerick
on energy challenges and energy company MaresConnect, which is
building an interconnector between the two countries. They will
also visit Dublin-based life science company ICON plc, which has
an established base in Wales, and meet with the Wales Aerospace
Forum, which is forging closer links with Ireland.
Notes to editors
- The Ireland-Wales Forum was established under the previous
Shared Statement 2021-2025 as an annual meeting between leaders
and ministers from both countries.
- Previous forums have been held in Cardiff, Dublin, Bangor,
Cork and now Swansea.
- Key achievements from the previous Shared Statement include
the completion of the Greenlink interconnector between Wexford
and Pembrokeshire and enhanced cultural partnerships, including
Other Voices Cardigan. There has also been strengthening of
research connections in areas such as cybersecurity and the
launch of WIN / Research Ireland, Agile Cymru and the RIA
partnership.
- The Ireland-Wales partnership is underpinned by the
UK-Ireland Joint Statement 2030, agreed in March 2025, as well as
agreements supporting the EU-UK relationship.
