“Thank you to the co-chairs, Ambassador Tareq Albania of Kuwait as well as Ambassador Alexander Marschik of Austria, for the opportunity to explain Australia’s position on categories of membership as part of broader reform across the Security Council,” said Mitch Fifield, Ambassador and Permanent Representative, Australian Mission to the United Nations.
Australia has long held the view that we should have a Security Council that is adequate, relevant in terms of geography, transparent, and accountable. More permanent representation for Asia, Latin America, and Africa is essential.
“Africa, which makes up 25 per cent of the world’s states and is expected to have 25 per cent of the world’s population by 2050, can make a significant contribution to addressing today’s challenges, such as security, climate change, green energy, and maintaining the rules-based international order. Latin America has a long history of participation in the multilateral system and is a developing, vibrant continent.
When it comes to addressing issues like climate change, energy, food production, and security, Latin America has a lot to offer.
Asia, the most populated area in the entire world, is now underrepresented in the vibrant Indo-Pacific area, including Australia.
We have consistently backed increasing the number of permanent as well as non-permanent members of Security Council because we believe that a Security Council that accurately reflects the geopolitical landscape today has greater credibility and makes better decisions.
I’d like to express my support for the proposals made by several Member States, including the Africa Union and the Uniting for Consensus Group. The change will be sparked by this level of specificity and participation, which is why we still favour text-based negotiations. These reforms can only be realized after that.
