On Tuesday 4 June, the Parliamentary Secretary for Defence, Dr Mike Kelly, represented Australia at the international launch of the Australian inter agency report, ‘Partnering for Peace: Australia’s Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding Experiences in Bougainville, Solomon Islands, and Timor Leste’ at the United Nations in New York.

The report focuses on Australia’s recent contributions to regional peacekeeping and peacebuilding missions and aims to distil lessons learned from these operations.

The Seminar was attended by a large number of Permanent Representatives to the United Nations and the former President of Timor-Leste, Mr Jose Ramos-Horta gave the key note address.

The seminar highlighted the strength of partnerships between local leadership and international partners, and fostered discussion on the importance of national ownership and capacity building to effective transitions.

“Australia has a proud history of involvement in peace and security missions around the globe and within our region,” said Dr Kelly.

“This event contributed to the Australian Government’s capacity to support successful transitions in Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste and Afghanistan.”

Media contacts:             

Robbie Rynehart (Dr Kelly) 02 6277 4840 or 0459 810 654
Defence Media Operations 02 6127 1999