MINISTER FOR DEFENCE MEETS WITH UNITED NATIONS REPRESENTATIVES FOR SECURITY AND PEACKEEPING TALKS

On 11 July 2008, the Minister for Defence, the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP, participated in a number of meetings with United Nations (UN) officials in New York.

The Minister attended a breakfast focused on global security issues with officials from the US, UK, Russia, China, France, Indonesia, Canada, South Africa and New Zealand.

Discussions with Jean-Marie Guehenno UN Under-Secretary General, Department of Peacekeeping Operations focused on Australia’s commitment to UN Peacekeeping operations and provided an opportunity for the Minister to emphasise Australia’s commitment to supporting UN missions in East Timor, southern Sudan and Darfur, as well as Australia’s ongoing reconstruction efforts in the Middle East.

“I am very pleased that the UN has now responded to the Government’s calls to extend the presence of the Special Envoy to Oruzgan Province. This is crucial to integrating the military and non-military efforts in the province, and better coordinating the aid effort,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.

The Minister emphasised that Australia has been a consistent contributor to UN efforts to safeguard international peace and security and is committed to helping address the serious global challenges such as climate change, conflict prevention, international development and terrorism.

The Minister’s visit follows the Prime Minister’s announcement in March this year that Australia would seek a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council (UNSC) for the 2013-14 term in the Western Europe and Others Group. Australia was last on the UN Security Council (UNSC) in 1985-86.

If elected, Australia would play an independent, constructive role as a non-permanent member of the UNSC. The election is scheduled to take place in October 2012.

While in New York, the Minister also attended a roundtable, hosted by Australia’s Ambassador to the UN Robert Hill, with a number of prominent think tanks and universities.  

From New York, the Minister will travel to Washington for a number of high-level meetings with the US Administration.

Media contacts:

Christian Taubenschlag (Joel Fitzgibbon):         02 6277 7800 or 0438 595 567

Defence Media Liaison:                                       02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664