United Invigoration Australia and the UN

United Invigoration Australia and the UN

Foreign Affairs has been running the media mill in the last few weeks, particularly focusing on the significant political changes in Britain.

The passing of Queen Elizabeth II days after the appointment of Prime Minister Liz Truss sent the United Kingdom into a difficult transition period.

With Heads of Governments from all over the world converging in London to pay their respects at Westminster Abbey, many eyes were on international dynamics and engagement.

Last week, United Nations General Assembly Annual Summit returned in person for the first time in three years. UN Chief António Guterres warned in his opening speech of an upcoming “winter of global discontent” from rising prices, a warming planet, and geopolitical conflicts.

The 77^th UN General Assembly meeting of world leaders convened under the shadow of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has triggered division among leading powers and impacted the rising costs of living. Climate change, human rights, inflation, freedom of the press, rising food costs and massive displacement and dislocation topped the agenda.

Punching Above Our Weight – Australia’s history with the UN

Australia is a founding member of the UN and has been active in UN institutions for 70 years.

Currently, Australia is the 13^th largest contributor to the UN’s regular budget. Australia held the first Presidency of the Security Council in 1946 and provided the first military observers under UN auspices a year later to Indonesia during the independence conflict.

Australian Involvement in UN Peacekeeping Operations

Australians were the first peacekeepers to serve under the United Nations auspices in Indonesia in 1947. Around 65,000 Australian personnel have partaken in over fifty peacekeeping operations across about twenty-five conflicts. All three services of the Australian Defence Force and police officers and civilians have been involved in these peacekeeping activities.

UN Engagement Today

Last week, Foreign Minister, Senator the Hon Penny Wong represented Australia at the UN General Assembly in New York.

The Minister was accompanied by fellow Labor colleagues, Minister for Climate Change and Energy, the Hon Chris Bowen MP, Senator Pat Dodson, Special Envoy for Reconciliation and Implementation of the Uluru Statement from the Heart and Member for Dunkley, Ms Peta Murphy MP.

The Hon Darren Chester MP joined the delegation alongside Australia’s permanent UN representative, the Hon Mitch Fifield.

Minister Wong delivered Australia’s national statement outlining Australia’s commitment to strengthening the global rules-based order and demonstrating that Australia is a ready and able partner with all countries that seek a peaceful world.

Senator Dodson joined the delegation to explain and advance the Government’s commitment to implement the Uluru Statement from the Heart in full. Senator Pat Dodson’s presence at the UN highlighted the urgency felt in the Labor government’s task to communicate one of the biggest developments in Australia’s Indigenous relations in decades.

Australian-China Relations – The Opportunity for More Engagement

Attending the UN General Assembly was not the only reason behind Minister Wong’s visit.

Upon her arrival, the Foreign Minister reported that she was open to engaging with her Chinese counterpart. On Friday, both Foreign Ministers engaged in their second meeting in 12 weeks, following a near three-year stalemate that surfaced during the previous government.

Minister for Defence, the Hon Richard Marles MP commented that the meeting should be seen as an effort to stabilise the relationship further.

Minister Wong reaffirmed that Australia’s position would not change, but that there is an openness towards stabilising relations for the region’s security. Although this meeting displays a willingness to engage at high levels in both the Chinese and Australian governments, both parties remain steadfast in their policy.

Foreign Representation for Indigenous Australians

On the 21^st of September, Senator Dodson and Minister Wong, alongside Minister for Indigenous Australians, the Hon Linda Burney MP, announced that the government is seeking public expressions of interest for an Ambassador for First Nations People.

The Ministers cited the need for foreign policy to reflect Australia’s modern diversity and the heritage of First Nations People. This is the first time this role has been open to a public expression of interest.

International Engagement

The Prime Minister in London

Prime Minister, the Hon Anthony Albanese MP travelled to London last week to attend the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. Joining many who had queued for hours to visit the Lying-In-State of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster on Monday, the Prime Minister went on to share the nation’s condolences to His Majesty King Charles III during his audience with the new King.

During his time in England, the Prime Minister met twice with the Canadian Prime Minister, the Hon Justin Trudeau. He also held his initial meeting with the new British Prime Minister, the Hon Liz Truss, where he expressed his condolences to the UK government.

French Visit

Planning is underway for French President, Emmanuel Macron to visit Australia in November, as both nations steadily repair diplomatic relations. Details remain unannounced, but with multiple news sources reporting the visit, we have taken a preliminary overview of what this might mean.

It is believed that the visit will occur after the G20 meeting in Bali, with the possibility of the new British Prime Minister, the Hon Liz Truss, also visiting.

The re-invigoration of French-Australian relations may have a potential impact on the AUKUS partnership, which formed at the expense of a submarine contract between Australia and French shipbuilder, Naval Group.

Upcoming

Prime Minister Albanese is travelling to Japan from the 26 – 28 September to attend the State Funeral of Mr Abe Shinzo AC, the former Japanese Prime Minister.

He will be accompanied by former Prime Ministers, the Hon John Howard OM AC, the Hon Tony Abbott AC, and the Hon Malcolm Turnbull AC, all of whom worked with Mr Abe during their terms as Prime Minister.

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