The Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Helen McEntee, is set to participate in an OECD meeting in Paris, where discussions will concentrate on competitiveness, innovation, and economic resilience. As part of the event, McEntee will highlight Ireland’s strategies to enhance economic competitiveness by focusing on investments in research, innovation, skills development, financial accessibility, and digital infrastructure.
McEntee plans to present Ireland’s Enterprise 2035, the country’s long-term industrial strategy aimed at supporting business growth, increasing productivity, and generating jobs over the coming decade. A significant theme of the meeting will be the impact of digital technologies and artificial intelligence on fostering innovation and economic progress.
In her address, McEntee will detail Ireland’s initiatives to promote AI adoption, with a focus on small and medium-sized enterprises. This includes efforts under the Digital Ireland strategy, support for European Digital Innovation Hubs, and the National Start-Up Accelerator Programme. Furthermore, she intends to discuss the establishment of a National AI Office and an AI Regulatory Sandbox to encourage responsible AI development and deployment.
Alongside the OECD meeting, McEntee is scheduled to engage in bilateral discussions with international counterparts, including Todd McClay, Don Farrell, and Catherine Vautrin. These discussions are expected to cover topics related to trade, economic cooperation, and broader international concerns.
The meeting provides a platform for Ireland to promote its economic strategy and foster stronger collaboration with international partners, focusing on innovation, technology, and sustainable development.