In its work to support a safe and sustainable world, the United Nations is active in many policy areas where libraries have a unique role to play. At a meeting hosted by the Argentine Mission to the United Nations, and with the contributions of the Irish Mission, diplomats and librarians discussed how to realise this potential.

Group of people standing in front of some flags
The IFLA team and diplomats from Argentina and Ireland at the preparatory meeting

The possibilities to access and apply information, as well as to preserve and manage knowledge are preconditions for success in a wide range of policy initiatives. From agriculture to democracy, and from health to culture, whether people and communities have these opportunities and skills can have a major influence on whether the world can achieve wider policy goals.

The importance of information is particularly clear at the United Nations at the moment, with efforts in parallel to promote information integrity, guarantee digital inclusion, and enhance knowledge management and evidence-based policy-making.

All these are areas where libraries are already committed to action, working with institutions and communities to realise the potential of information and knowledge. However, as part of our wider work to promote sustainable futures for all, IFLA is active in working to ensure that the potential of libraries is fully understood and realised across the work of the United Nations.

At a meeting kindly hosted by HE Mr Ricardo Lagorio, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Argentina to the United Nations, the IFLA delegation to the High-Level Political Forum exchanged with diplomats from Argentina and Ireland about the potential of libraries.

In particular, the meeting discussed the shared ambition to establish a Group of Friends of Libraries at the United Nations, bringing together national delegations who recognise and value the difference that libraries can make.

The discussions offered a great opportunity to explore how libraries can help achieve a diverse range of goals that match up with UN and national priorities.

IFLA will take forwards work on the Group of Friends with participating delegations, in order to define the terms of reference, and allow for it to launch its work fully in 2025.

We are very grateful to the Permanent Mission of Argentina – and in particular to His Excellency Mr Ricardo Lagorio – for their hospitality, and to the Permanent Mission of Ireland for their presence.

This work was made possible thanks to a grant from Stichting IFLA Global Libraires (SIGL).