The annual Famine Commemoration is taking place this afternoon in Newry Co Down.

The event, at the Albert Basin in the town, honours the estimated one million Irish people who died during the Great Famine of the 1840's.

Speaking at the event, Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Heather Humphreys said it was important to raise awareness about current issues of malnutrition and hunger around the world. 

She said it was "encouraging" that world leaders are gathered at the United Nations General Assembly this weekend to agree new goals to end extreme poverty and hunger.