The scale of the human tragedy requires the international community to maintain its focus on that issue. The cost of the conflict in Syria is borne by the hundreds of thousands who have lost their lives, the millions more displaced, and by a generation of children facing interrupted schooling, under…
It is well understood that prevention is always better than cure. Conflict prevention was the reason that the United Nations was created, yet it remains a predominantly crisis- driven Organization, reliant on traditional response mechanisms that are straining to meet increasing need, particularly as…
I would like to start by acknowledging the horrific attacks in Paris last Friday night, just days after the tragic attacks in Beirut and Baghdad. We offer our deep condolences to the families of those killed, and strongly condemn such acts of terror.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights remain…
At the outset, I would like to thank the President of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Judge Sylvia Silvia Alejandra Fernández de Gurmendi, for her informative presentation. I also congratulate her on her election as President and on being the first woman to hold that position.
This year we …
On behalf of Canada, Australia and New Zealand (CANZ), I would like to thank the President of the International Court of Justice, Judge Ronny Abraham, for his informative report (A/70/4) on the work of the Court over the past year. I would also like to thank former President Judge Tomka for his impo…
Seventy years ago, at the 1945 San Francisco Conference, and in 1946 as one of the first elected members of the Security Council, Australia argued strongly against the veto. We did so because we saw it as hampering the Council’s effectiveness and legitimacy. Today those same reasons underscore our s…
I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the group of countries made up of Canada, Australia, and New Zealand (CANZ).
We thank the Secretary-General for his candid assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of the United Nations peace operations architecture. Let me also acknowledge…
I thank you, Mr. President, for this opportunity for Australia to participate in this meeting.
The nations of North Africa and the Middle East, home to many of the world’s oldest human civilizations, are at a critical point in their history as the region struggles to contain conflict and violent ex…
We meet this day at an important time for the United Nations, 70 years after its foundation. Australia’s representative to the San Francisco Conference in 1945 described the General Assembly as the place where the conscience of the peoples of the world should have its most potent expression. It is a…
When Australia signed the Charter of the United Nations 70 years ago, we committed to promoting peace, social progress and better standards of living for the peoples of the world. Australia has taken that commitment seriously, and today we are agreeing on a new 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Developmen…
I would like to join others in thanking Special Representative of the Secretary- General Haysom and Executive Director Fedotov for their briefings, and also in welcoming the contribution of Afghanistan’s Permanent Representative, Ambassador
Zahir Tanin. I echo others in wishing him well in his next…
Australia has some sympathy with the issues raised in the substantive proposals to reconsider the venue of the annual sessions of the Executive Board of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)/United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)/United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS). We belie…
At the outset, let me say that Australia places great importance on improving sovereign debt restructuring processes. We recognize that that is an issue that is critical to affected economies around the world. For that reason, Australia has played and will continue to play a constructive role — thro…
Let me, too, acknowledge the many high-level participants that have come here today, in particular those from small island developing States (SIDS), including from our Pacific family, to take part in this meeting of the Security Council. We, too, commend New Zealand for convening today’s debate. The…
Thirty-nine Australians were among the 298 men, women and children whose lives were tragically taken when Malaysia Airlines Flight MH-17 was brought down over eastern Ukraine, just over 12 months ago. Among our number were six children, two religious leaders, two doctors, a number of teachers, an aw…
I would also like to thank Special Representative Nicholas Haysom for his briefing and to acknowledge Permanent Representative Zahir Tanin’s continuing contribution.
After nine months in office, the National Unity Government has committed to an ambitious reform programme. Its release of the 100-day…
Thank you, Madam President, for convening this important debate. I also thank Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Special Representative Leila Zerrougui for their efforts to give prominence to the rights and protection of girls and boys affected by armed conflict.
The profound interest we all share i…
As today’s meeting has heard, the human cost of the illicit transfer, accumulation and misuse of small arms and light weapons is horrific and widespread. In conflict and other situations of armed violence, civilians consistently suffer the most. Civilians are deliberately targeted by rebel groups, t…
I thank the President for Jordan’s ongoing contribution to this very important agenda item, going back to the Amman message during World Interfaith Harmony Week.
Along with many Member States, Australia is facing unprecedented numbers of youth travelling to fight for Daesh, Al-Qaida, Al-Shabaab and…
May I begin by adding my voice to those congratulating Sweden’s Permanent Representative Olof Skoog on assuming the Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) and by expressing sincere thanks to his predecessor in that important role, Ambassador De Aguiar Patriota.
Australia welcomes this year’s a…
