Taoiseach Bertie Ahern is today attending the EU-Africa Summit in Portugal
Minister for Overseas Development Michael Kitt is also at the high-level talks in Lisbon, which aim to strengthen the partnership with Africa and mark a new phase in EU-Africa relations.
Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe at the EU-Africa summit in Lisbon
Ronan Murphy, director general of Irish Aid, the Government's overseas development division, will also be at the meeting, which will see heads of state from more than 70 countries discussing issues such as trade, development, migration, energy, human rights and climate change.
The two-day summit - the first since 2000 - will adopt a Joint EU-Africa Strategy and Action Plan which commits Europe and Africa to develop closer political dialogue and to work together to address common global challenges.
"During the summit, the Taoiseach will refer to Ireland's strong historical ties with Africa, including in humanitarian, developmental and peacekeeping service," said a Government spokesman.
"The Taoiseach will refer to the work being done by Irish Aid and NGOs in Africa in areas such as health, education and the fight against HIV and Aids, and encourage all member states to make progress on the Millennium Development Goals."
The Taoiseach is also expected to refer to the need for coherence between aid, trade, the environment, agriculture, migration and peace and security.
The Government earlier this week rejected a call by Fine Gael to boycott the meeting over the presence Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe. Fine Gael claimed it was "inappropriate" for the Taoiseach or any Minister to attend the conference if Mr Mugabe, who is accused of human rights abuses, attended.
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown is boycotting the summit because of Mr Mugabe's presence. Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek also stayed away.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel challenged European and African leaders today to confront human rights abuses in Zimbabwe, putting Mr Mugabe in the spotlight at the summit.
Ms Merkel said the world could not stand by while human rights were "trampled" underfoot. "Zimbabwe concerns us all, in Europe and Africa," she told the summit. She called on European and African leaders to stand by the people of Zimbabwe and work to promote democracy there.
Speaking before Ms Merkel on the issue of human rights, South African President Thabo Mbeki did not mention Zimbabwe, where he has tried to mediate between Mr Mugabe and his political rivals.