IIEA Talks

At this YPN webinar discussion, we hear political, expert and industry perspectives on the challenges presented by climate change for Irish society. The panel offers their reflections on the outcome of the COP26 Summit in Glasgow, taking place 31 October to 12 November, and considers whether Ireland will be able to show the necessary level of ambition to meet its climate action commitments. About the Speakers: Ciarán Cuffe is a Green MEP representing Dublin following his election in 2019. In the European Parliament, he is a Member of the Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) Committee and the Transport and Tourism (TRAN) Committee. He previously served as Dublin City Councillor, a T.D. for Dún Laoghaire, and Minister of State for Horticulture, Sustainable Travel, Planning and Heritage. Dr Hannah Daly is a Lecturer in Sustainable Energy and Energy Systems Modelling at University College Cork. Her research focuses on modelling and developing sustainable pathways for the energy system, encompassing energy access, climate change and air pollution. Before joining UCC, Hannah worked at the International Energy Agency (IEA) as an Energy Modeller from 2015-2019. She completed her PhD in Energy and Transport Modelling in 2012 and her BSc in Mathematics in 2009, both from UCC. Robbie Aherne serves as Head of Future Networks with EirGrid, a position he has held since February 2020. He has worked with EirGrid, the semi-state body responsible for operating Ireland’s national electricity grid, for over 16 years and has held number senior roles, including: Head of Public Engagement and Head of New Connections. He received his MSc in Electrical Power Systems from the University of Bath in 2013 and completed his Degree in Electrical Engineering in UCC in 2003.

In his address to the IIEA, Pierre Vimont discusses the quest for genuine European Strategic Autonomy and its implications for transatlantic relations and EU neighbourhood policy. He highlights the need for the EU to adopt a more geopolitical mindset, and explores the new foreign policy priorities and dimensions which the Union must now address, including the Indo-Pacific region, Africa, and in the areas of digital and climate. About the Speaker: Pierre Vimont is a senior fellow at Carnegie Europe. His research focuses on the European Neighbourhood Policy, transatlantic relations, and French foreign policy. Vimont was the first executive secretary-general of the European External Action Service (EEAS), from December 2010 to March 2015. During his thirty-eight-year diplomatic career with the French foreign service, he served as ambassador to the United States from 2007 to 2010, ambassador to the European Union from 1999 to 2002, and chief of staff to three former French foreign ministers. He holds the title, Ambassador of France, a dignity bestowed for life to only a few French career diplomats.

In the seventh webinar of the 2021 Development Matters lecture series, which is supported by Irish Aid, Ambassador Peter Thomson, the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Ocean, addresses the importance of the Ocean and of the Sustainable Blue Economy for Small Island Developing States in the context of the COP26 summit in Glasgow. He also reflects on opportunities for Ireland to act as a catalyst for Ocean action. Ambassador Peter Thomson is the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Ocean, in which role he drives global support for Sustainable Development Goal 14, to conserve and sustainably use the Ocean’s resources. He served as President of the UN General Assembly from 2016-2017. He was the Permanent Representative of Fiji to the UN from 2010-2016, during which time he was also elected as President of the International Seabed Authority’s Assembly and Council. Ambassador Thomson is a founding Co-Chair of the Friends of Ocean Action and is a supporting member of the High-Level Panel for Sustainable Ocean Economy.

In his address to the IIEA, Thomas Wright reflects on the strain the COVID-19 pandemic has placed on the international order. Arguing this is the first crisis in decades without a glimmer of American leadership, he outlines how the COVID crisis broke against a global backdrop of rising nationalism, backsliding democracy, declining public trust in governments, mounting rebellion against the inequalities produced by globalisation, resurgent great power competition, and plummeting international cooperation. Drawing on his latest book, Aftershocks: Pandemic Politics and the End of the Old International Order, co-written with Colin Khal, he discusses the implications of this crisis for the international order. About the Speakers: Thomas Wright is the Director of the Centre on the United States and Europe and a Senior Fellow in the Project on International Order and Strategy at the Brookings Institution. He is also a contributing writer for The Atlantic and a nonresident fellow at the Lowy Institute for International Policy. His most recent book, Aftershocks: Pandemic Politics and the End of the Old International Order, was published in August 2021 by St Martin's Press. He is also author of All Measures Short of War: The Contest For the 21st Century and the Future of American Power (2017). Tom has a doctorate from Georgetown University, a Master of Philosophy from Cambridge University, and a BA and MA from University College Dublin.

In his address to the IIEA, Hans Kribbe discusses both the need for making deals with strongmen like Xi, Putin and Erdoğan and the type of diplomacy that such deal making requires. In 2019, in a much-debated strategy paper on China, the European Commission for the first time introduced the notion of China as a “systemic rival”. However, it went on to explain that it continued to see China as a partner it could do deals with, for example on climate politics and trade. In his discussion, Dr Kribbe explores the question of how this apparent contradiction can be combined in a single, coherent policy. He argues that, in order to engage in the sort of power diplomacy this requires, Europe cannot escape making some tough choices. About the Speaker: Hans Kribbe is the author of The Strongmen: European Encounters with Sovereign Power (Agenda Publishing 2020). He has a PhD from the London School of Economics and has worked as a speechwriter and adviser to European Commissioners responsible for the single market and competition policy. From 2006 to 2014 he advised Vladimir Putin’s press and communications team at the Kremlin. More recently he founded political advisory firm Shearwater and advises the Dutch Foreign Ministry on EU industrial policy.

In her address to the IIEA, Petra Hielkema, the new Chairperson of the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA), outlines her priorities to build a more effective and equitable financial system during her five-year term. She discusses the European Commission’s proposed review of the Solvency II Directive, as well as EIOPA’s Opinion on the Solvency II Directive, and consider how to ensure better co-ordination of insurance and occupational pensions supervision at EU level. Ms Hielkema also discusses how the insurance and pensions industry can remain resilient in dealing with the economic shock caused by COVID-19, as well as how the industry can embrace the green and digital transitions.   About the Speaker:  Petra Hielkema is Chairperson of EIOPA and has led the Authority since September 2021. Prior to this, she was Division Director of Insurance Supervision at DNB, the Dutch Central Bank. Petra joined DNB in February 2007 and in 2013 she became Head of Insurance Policy. In February 2017, she was appointed as Director of Payments and Market Infrastructures and was responsible for the payments and collateral operations of the central bank, oversight, policy and cyber-intelligence. Petra was previously an Alternate Member of the EIOPA Board of Supervisors and was also the Chair of the EIOPA Policy Committee.

In July 2021, Ireland’s Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment launched the Here for Good: National Artificial Intelligence Strategy for Ireland. In his address to the IIEA, Minister Troy discusses how the Government’s National AI Strategy will ensure a responsible and inclusive approach to developing, applying and adopting AI. Minister Troy also outlines how Ireland seeks to harness the potential benefits of AI for business and society. About the Speaker: Robert Troy TD has been the Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital, & Company Regulation since July 2020. He is the Fianna Fáil TD for Longford/Westmeath and was first elected to Dáil Éireann in 2011. He has been a Fianna Fáil frontbench party spokesperson on numerous briefs including for Business, Enterprise & Innovation. He also served on the Oireachtas Committee on Business, Enterprise and Innovation.

In her address to the IIEA, Dr Mathews examines the future of US foreign policy in the wake of the withdrawal from Afghanistan earlier this year. She argues that once attention shifts from tactical errors made in the closing weeks of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan to, what she describes as, “the drifting purpose and self-delusion" of the preceding 20 years, the shock of failure in America’s longest war may provide an open moment to re-examine earlier interventions and to reconsider US foreign policy in the post–Cold War era About the Speaker: Dr Jessica Tuchman Mathews is a Distinguished Fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. She served as Carnegie’s president for 18 years. Before her appointment in 1997, her career included posts in both the executive and legislative branches of government, in management and research in the non-profit arena, and in journalism and science policy. From 1982 to 1993, she was founding vice president and director of research of the World Resources Institute. Dr Mathews has published widely in newspapers and in foreign policy and scientific journals and has co-authored and co-edited three books. She holds a PhD in molecular biology from the California Institute of Technology and graduated magna cum laude from Radcliffe College.

In this event, Matthew O’Toole MLA presents the SDLP’s vision for the implementation of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland. He discusses his party’s views on the most recent solutions presented both by the UK Government and the European Commission. He also addresses the challenges and opportunities which lie ahead for Northern Ireland, relations on this island and beyond, following the UK’s exit from the EU. About the Speakers: Matthew O’Toole MLA is a Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) politician who has served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for the Belfast South constituency in the Northern Ireland Assembly since January 2020. He was previously Chief Press Officer for Europe at Number 10 Downing Street between 2015 and 2017. As a civil servant, Mr O’Toole helped coordinate UK Government communications efforts during the EU referendum campaign through to the beginning of the formal Brexit negotiations. After leaving Whitehall, he wrote widely on the consequences of Brexit for the island of Ireland, including for the Irish Times, Financial Times, Politico, Guardian and New Statesman.

A webinar session, The Future of the Global Economy: US and Irish Perspectives, featuring major keynote addresses by: Janet Yellen, U.S Secretary of the Treasury; and Paschal Donohoe T.D., Minister for Finance of Ireland & President of the Eurogroup. Following their addresses, both Secretary Yellen and Minister Donohoe will then participate in a moderated conversation with Dan O’Brien, Chief Economist of IIEA. About the Speakers: Janet Yellen was sworn in as the 78th Secretary of the Treasury of the United States in January 2021. An economist by training, she took office after almost fifty years in academia and public service. She is the first person in American history to have led the White House Council of Economic Advisors, the Federal Reserve, and the Treasury Department. Paschal Donohoe TD is Minister for Finance of Ireland, a position he has held since June 2020 having previously served as Minister for Finance & Public Expenditure and Reform from 2016 to 2020. Minister Donohoe has also served as President of the Eurogroup since July 2020. He represents the Dublin Central Constituency and previously served as Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport and Minister of State for European Affairs.