Australia was proud to partner with Ghana to propose last year’s important debate on the responsibility to protect (R2P), the first in the
General Assembly for a decade. More than 100 States from every region participated. Support for the R2P principle and its implementation was overwhelming, as wa…
Australia welcomes the significant momentum for peace in Afghanistan. The Government of Afghanistan has taken important steps towards bringing the long-running conflict to an end. The recent peace jirga, sponsored by the Government of Afghanistan, was a significant opportunity for Afghan community r…
Today’s meeting provides an opportunity both to take stock of progress and to reiterate our commitment to meeting our target and ending the HIV epidemic by 2030. I am speaking on behalf of Canada, New Zealand and Australia (CANZ). We think that today should be about celebrating the gains that have b…
Let me begin by warmly commending the Indonesian presidency for its successful leadership of the Council this month and for the focus it has given to today’s important topic.
The protection of civilians is the primary responsibility of States, a fundamental principle of international humanitarian l…
Australia did not take its decision lightly to vote against resolution 73/295 and wishes to take this opportunity to explain our vote.
We respect the decision of Senegal to bring forward this resolution, and we appreciate the fact that it was sponsored by all the members of the Group of African Sta…
Let me begin by joining others in thanking the current Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) and his predecessor for their invaluable work.
We have made major progress on the sustaining peace agenda over the past four years, which is a system-wide agenda with particular implications for the P…
let me begin by joining others in expressing Australia’s deep shock and sadness at the horrific terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka. we extend our deepest condolences and stand with Sri Lanka as it continues to come to terms with that senseless and barbaric attack.
Turing to today’s agenda, in order to …
Gender parity in peace operations has vast potential to improve effectiveness, capability and credibility. We have made pledges to do better and set targets to go higher. But the number of uniformed women in the field remains extremely low and, frankly speaking, the rate of change has been
glacial.…
Australia is pleased to support resolution 73/285. Australians express their deepest sympathies for those affected by the devastating terrorist attack in Christchurch and share the grief of Muslim communities all over the world. As our Prime Minister has said, Australia condemns in absolute terms th…
At the outset, on behalf of all Australians, I would like to express our deepest sympathies to those affected by the devastating terrorist attack in Christchurch. Events in New Zealand are a painful reminder that our protective systems must continue to be flexible and evolve to address the ever-chan…
I would first like to thank the European Union for its leadership of the Kimberley Process as Chair in 2018, and in particular for its commitment to taking forward the targeted reform agenda on which the Kimberley Process agreed at the Brisbane plenary in 2017. We thank the European
Union for leadi…
It is now almost five years since Crimea’s annexation — an act the Assembly recognized as illegal in resolution 68/262. Today, we mark the fifth anniversary of the Maidan protests in Ukraine. It is critical that the Assembly keep the situation in Ukraine and the ongoing violations of international l…
I thank you, Mr. President, for organizing this important debate. Australia welcomes this discussion.
We align ourselves with the Pacific Islands Forum statement to be delivered by the representative of Nauru.
Global warming, rising sea levels and more extreme weather events are increasing pressur…
Australia is a nation built on migration. We are a global leader in providing safe, orderly and regular migration opportunities. Our success has been underpinned by sovereign control of our borders, our managed permanent and temporary migration programmes and a humanitarian resettlement scheme of 18…
Australia agrees with the United States that Cuba has human rights issues to address. Australia recently put its concerns on record through the statement it delivered at the 2018 Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review of Cuba.
We do not, however, believe that using resolution 73/8, entitled…
As this is the first time that I take the floor, Madam President, let me add my congratulations on your assumption of the presidency of the General Assembly and pledge my delegation’s full support to you in your important role.
Australia supports the proposal to include the supplementary item “The …
With one month to go, Australia is encouraged by preparations for Afghanistan’s parliamentary elections. We urge the Government of Afghanistan to maintain its focus on delivering an inclusive and credible electoral process that will accurately reflect the will of the Afghan people. We also acknowled…
I am delivering this statement on behalf of the Group of Friends of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty: Canada, Finland, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands and my own country, Australia. We thank you, Mr. President, for convening this meeting and the Secretary-General for his statement today.
T…
Armed conflict takes a devastating toll on children. The physical and psychological wounds of war, including the resulting displacement and disrupted education, illustrate why we must act. Australia commends the work of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Children and Armed Confli…
Australia takes this opportunity to congratulate the Government of Afghanistan on President Ghani’s 16 June decision to extend the unilateral ceasefire for the remainder of the holy month of Ramadan and for Eid Al-Fitr. The Afghan people overwhelmingly supported the cessation of hostilities, and the…
