Understanding our role as global citizens while working as clinicians in our local environment is becoming increasingly important. We have learned from the COVID-19 pandemic that illness does not respect borders. Increasing our awareness of our global working environment will improve our own clinical performance and our patients’ outcomes. The Forum of Postgraduate Training Bodies has completed the process of developing a competency framework, outlining 5 core competencies in which all medical practitioners in Ireland should be knowledgeable. This will improve the ability of the medical workforce in Ireland to fully participate in the global health system.