Thank you, Sir, for convening this open discussion by the Security Council on Afghanistan. We welcome the regular briefings provided by Special Representative Staffan de Mistura and we are very pleased to welcome the Foreign Minister, Mr. Rassoul, back to New York.
These discussions highlight the r…
This great body has been in existence for two thirds of a century — three times longer than its predecessor body, the League of Nations, and longer than previous attempts to fashion a continuing collective approach to the common problems of nation States. The question we must ask ourselves today is …
I have the privilege today of speaking on behalf of the Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Initiative (NPDI), whose current members are Australia, Canada, Chile, Germany, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, Poland, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.
We are very grateful to you for convening this debat…
As nations we have a responsibility to do that which we say we will do — a responsibility to keep our promises to fellow Member States and a responsibility to turn our commitments, solemnly given in this great Hall, into concrete actions that change the lives of the poorest of the poor across the wo…
Like everyone, Australians have been very deeply saddened by the tragic humanitarian emergency in Pakistan, and I should like to convey the condolences of all Australians to the people of Pakistan, who are suffering so badly and who will continue to suffer over the days, weeks and months ahead.
All…
Access to water and sanitation is fundamental to the realization of a
range of human rights. Globally, some two thirds of those without reliable access to clean water live in the Asia-Pacific region, and of our region’s 3.8 billion people, over half do not have access to sanitation. Australia also …
I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of Australia, Canada and New Zealand.
Canada, Australia and New Zealand appreciate the leadership and support of the Secretary-General and of the Deputy Secretary-General and her team throughout the journey to achieve this resolution. Of course,…
Australia welcomes Special Representative of the Secretary-General de Mistura’s presence here and his briefing this morning. We also appreciate the latest quarterly report
of the Secretary-General on Afghanistan (S/2010/318), the presence of Ambassador Tanin of Afghanistan and the briefings provid…
I have the honour this morning to speak on behalf of the members of the Pacific Islands Forum.
At the outset, I would like to thank the Secretary- General and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS for the focused and very helpful report on the progress made in the implementation of our com…
On behalf of the Western European and other States Group, I extend to the people and the Government of Nigeria our sincere condolences on the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. Our thoughts and wishes are especially with his family at this difficult time.
President Yar’Adua was uniquely school…
I am privileged to speak today on behalf of Canada, New Zealand and Australia. In the light of the long list of speakers, I
shall deliver a slightly abbreviated version of my speech.
We gather together today as the global economy is emerging — too slowly — from the most significant and widespread …
Australia supports Security Council renewal of the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and welcomes the opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to Afghanistan and to international efforts in support of the Afghan Government and people.
In view of the hour and to f…
Australia was deeply saddened by the events of December 2008 and January 2009 in the Gaza Strip and southern Israel. As we have made clear on a number of occasions in the General Assembly, the Security Council and the Human Rights Commission, Australia supports the proper investigation of allegation…
Australia welcomes the opportunity to participate once again in the Security Council’s deliberations on Timor-Leste. I would like to thank Special Representative Haq and Deputy Prime Minister Guterres for their presentations. The Deputy Prime Minister’s presence is especially valued. I would also li…
Five years ago this week, we gathered in this Hall to express condolences for all those affected by the earthquake and tsunamis that struck the Indian Ocean region on 26 December 2004. Today, the General Assembly gathers again, following Haiti’s terrible natural disaster, to offer our condolences to…
On behalf of Australia, I would like to congratulate China on assuming the presidency of the Council for this month. I would also like to congratulate Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Gabon, Lebanon and Nigeria on taking up their vital duties as elected members of this important body.
As the Secreta…
Australia, as a strong supporter of the Kimberley Process, traditionally co-sponsors the resolution thereon. We consider it important that the General Assembly be appraised of the work of the Kimberley Process in its efforts to curb the trade in conflict diamonds.
Unfortunately, this year’s resolut…
As we near the fifth anniversary of the Indian Ocean tsunami of 26 December 2004, it is timely for us to consider the role of the United Nations in responding to natural disasters and complex emergencies.
Regrettably, the past year’s events have continued to demonstrate the vital need for internati…
Australia has the honour this afternoon to co-sponsor both of the draft resolutions before us today (A/64/L.18 and A/64/L.29). These drafts resolutions continue to raise issues of key importance to Australia, including bottom fisheries, high seas governance and the workload of the Commission on the …
Australia had hoped that this year’s debate on the Middle East would have been preceded by genuine progress towards peace. But it has not. The tragedy of the Gaza conflict of last December and January was another compelling reminder of the simple, ineluctable truth that a lasting resolution to the I…
