The designation of this year as the International Year of Quinoa is an important event in the ongoing global fight against food insecurity and malnutrition. Australia supported the initiative from the beginning for that reason.
We congratulate the Government of Bolivia and the Food and Agriculture …
I would like to thank High Representative Ashton for her briefing and welcome her to the Council for the third time in this capacity. Since she last briefed the Council, the European Union (EU) was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The award recognizes the EU’s powerful and historic contribution over s…
I thank you, Mr. President, for the Republic of Korea’s leadership in convening this debate today and for Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan’s presence with us today as well. I also welcome the participation of the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Rwanda, as well as the Foreign Minister of Brazil and…
I thank Robert Serry for his report. We welcome the presence of Palestinian Foreign Minister Malki an Israel’s Permanent Representative, Ambassador Prosor.
So often in this Council, we say that the situation between Israel and the Palestinians is at a crucial juncture, and it often is. But we now s…
I would like to thank you, Mr. President, for convening this debate. I also thank the Secretary-General for his comments.
Australia welcomes the evolution in the approach to peacekeeping over the past decade, which has seen a recognition of the complex, multidimensional issues that can be associate…
I thank you, Mr. President, for Pakistan’s leadership in hosting this debate. We know that Pakistan is on the front line of terrorism. The terrible attacks in Quetta, the Swat Valley and elsewhere in Pakistan in the past week have been a stark reminder of this. In the face of that violence, the exam…
I thank you, Mr. President, for convening this debate. I also wish thank the Secretary-General for his report (S/2012/746) and briefing, as well as Ambassador Momen for his statement and valuable work as Chairperson of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC).
Peacebuilding is vital work. We know that ab…
First, I must thank Ambassador Peter Wittig and the German Mission for their leadership on Afghanistan in the Council over the past two years. I also recognize Special Representative of the Secretary-General Ján Kubiš for his ongoing leadership in-country at such a critical juncture and also all the…
We thank the President for convening today’s discussion on an important aspect of United Nations reform and effectiveness, and we thank the Secretary-General for his report (A/67/312).
The United Nations has an essential role to play in developing civilian capacity in the aftermath of conflict. Aus…
The frequency of disasters and the scale of humanitarian need across the globe demand that we perform and coordinate better as an international community. In 2012, civilians continued to bear the brunt of armed confl ict. Political solutions to confl ict are obviously urgently needed, and respect for …
On behalf of Australia, I wish to express our warm appreciation for this plenary meeting devoted to the oceans and the law of the sea. Thirty years ago today, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea was opened for signature in Montego Bay, Jamaica. It was a triumph of international diplo…
Australia welcomes the convening of this open debate on women and peace and security. We commend Guatemala and India for bringing the Council’s focus to the particular role played by women’s civil society organizations. We thank Deputy Secretary-General Eliasson, the Under- Secretary-General and Exe…
Australia is committed to advancing the work on all agenda items discussed here this morning, and we thank the Secretary-General for his comprehensive reports and notes on those items. As the Secretary-General’s report in document A/67/257 clearly emphasizes, a comprehensive and coherent development…
Australia is committed to the principles of sport for development and peace and to the role the United Nations can play in furthering those principles. We welcome the report of the Secretary- General on this subject introduced this morning (A/67/282) and would like to take this opportunity to thank …
Australia welcomes the opportunity to sponsor the General Assembly’s draft resolution on Afghanistan (A/67/L.16) again in 2012. This was a crucial year for the partnership between Afghanistan and the international community, during which we made strong commitments to support Afghanistan’s future. Th…
I thank the President for convening this joint debate on the annual report of the Security Council (A/67/2) and on Security Council reform. I also wish to thank the Security Council President, Ambassador Puri of India, for introducing the report this morning, and the Colombian delegation, under the …
Thank you very much, Mr. President, for convening this debate. I would like to acknowledge the presence of the Foreign Minister of Timor-Leste, Mr. José Luís Guterres. I would also like to acknowledge the presence of the Acting Special Representative of the Secretary-General and to thank him for his…
Australia commends Director General Amano for his report (A/67/152) on the achievements of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and on the challenges it will face over the coming years.
As a member of the IAEA Board of Governors, Australia takes very seriously the responsibilities that ent…
On behalf of Canada, New Zealand and my own country, Australia — the CANZ group — I would like to thank the President of the International Court of Justice, Judge Tomka, for his informative report on the work of the Court for the period 1 August 2011 to 31 July 2012 (A/67/4).
CANZ continues to stro…
Thank you, Sir, for presiding over this joint debate. I also thank the Secretary- General for his reports (A/67/204 and A/67/205).
It is appropriate, as we mark Africa Week and the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, and as we enter the second decade of the New Partnership for Africa’…
