Australia and the United Nations

Australia was one of the founding members of the United Nations (UN) in 1945 and has been actively engaged in the organisation since its formation. The UN is seen by the Australian Government as a means to influence events which directly affect Australia's interests but over which they have little unilateral control.[1]

Commonwealth of Australia
United Nations membership
Represented byCommonwealth of Australia (1945-present)
MembershipFull member
Since1 November 1945 (1945-11-01)
UNSC seatNon-permanent
Permanent RepresentativeJames Larsen

Diplomatic representation
See also: Permanent Representative of Australia to the United Nations
UN headquarters in New York City

Australia has a permanent diplomatic mission to the UN in New York City along with missions in Geneva, Vienna and Nairobi.[2] The Australian Mission is headed by an Ambassador and Permanent Representative and staffed by officers from the Department of Foreign Affairs, AusAid, the Australian Defence Force, the Australian Federal Police, as well as local employees. The Mission provides the core of Australia's delegation to UN conferences and meetings in New York, including regular and special sessions of the United Nations General Assembly. It also participates in the ongoing work of the UN's other organisations, such as the Security Council and the Economic and Social Council, and follows the activities of the UN's specialised agencies and programs.

Australia is the twelfth largest financial contributor to the UN.[3] Australia contributed more than US$87 million in the years 2004 to 2006, with a regular budget of US$22.9 million, peacekeeping costs of approximately US$60 million, and over US$4 million contribution to International Tribunals.

Australia has been an elected member of the United Nations Security Council on five occasions in the past.[4] H. V. Evatt, a former Opposition Leader of Australia and prominent figure in the Australian Labor Party, was President of the United Nations General Assembly in 1948.

UN service
UN OrganisationTerms served
UNSC1946–1947, 1956–1957, 1973–1974, 1985–1986, 2013–2014
ECOSOC1992–1997, 2002–2012, 2016–date
UNHRC1991–1997, 2003–2006, 2018–2020

Australian involvement in UN peacekeeping operations

Australians were the first peacekeepers to serve under United Nations auspices when they sent military observers to Indonesia in 1947 during the independence struggle.[5] About 65,000 Australian personnel have partaken in more than fifty peacekeeping operations, in about 25 different conflicts.[6] Operations include military observation, monitoring cease-fires, clearing landmines, humanitarian aid and the repatriation of refugees.

Since 1947 Australians have joined peacekeeping operations in Cambodia, Korea, Namibia, Rwanda, and Somalia among others. All three services of the Australian Defence Force, as well as police officers and civilians, have been involved in peacekeeping activities.

The most significant recent involvement from Australian peacekeeping troops is in the newly formed country of East Timor. Australia initially offered between 1,000 and 1,300 infantry, three Royal Australian Navy ships (HMAS Manoora and HMAS Kanimbla already stationed nearby, and HMAS Tobruk) along with other support capabilities.[7] Australia's involvement in East Timor is through UNMISET, the United Nations Mission of Support to East Timor, and UNOTIL, the United Nations Office in Timor Leste and UNMIT, the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste.

Australia also has peacekeepers from the Australian Defence Force participating in the United Nations Mission in Sudan, to support the African Union's Mission in Darfur.

Seven Australians have commanded or led multinational peacekeeping operations. Nine Australian peacekeepers have died on UN missions.[8]

UN Operation nameUN Operation titleLocationDates of Australian involvementNumber of Australians involvedAustralian role
None[9]UN Consular CommissionIndonesia19474Military observers
UNGOC[10]UN Good Offices CommissionIndonesia1947–1949About 45 ADF personnelMonitor ceasefires and ensure the peace between Dutch and Indonesian nationalists
UNCI[10]UN Commission for IndonesiaIndonesia1949–1951About 45 ADF personnelMonitor ceasefires and ensure the peace between Dutch and Indonesian nationalists
UNCOK[11]UN Commission on KoreaKorea19502Military observers
UNMOGIP[12]UN Military Observer Group in India and PakistanKashmir1950–1985Up to 18Military observers and air transport
UNCURK[13]UN Commission for the Unification and Rehabilitation of KoreaKorea19511Military observer
UNCMAC[14]UN Command Military Armistice CommissionKorea1953–presentOriginally 6, with 2 continually serving. Estimated 68 totalArmistice monitoring
UNTSO[15]UN Truce Supervision OrganizationIsrael and neighbouring Middle East countries1956–presentUp to 13. Estimated 700 totalMilitary observers
ONUC[12]Operation des Nations Unies au Congo (UN Operation in the Congo)Congo1960–1961Army medical team of 3 seconded to the International Red CrossMedical team
UNTEA[12]UN Temporary Executive AuthorityWestern New Guinea1962–19634 Army pilots, 7 RAAF ground crew and 2 Sioux helicoptersCholera eradication program
UNYOM[12]UN Yemen Observation MissionYemen19632Military observers
UNFICYP[16]UN Peacekeeping Force in CyprusCyprus1964–present15 Australian Federal Police officers. Estimated 1000 in totalLaw and order
UNIPOM[12]UN India-Pakistan Observation MissionIndia and Pakistan1965–19663; 1 seconded from UNTSO, 2 seconded from UNMOGIPMilitary observers
UNDOF[12]UN Disengagement Observer ForceIsrael and Syria1974Several redeployed from UNTSO. None currentlyMilitary observers
UNEF II[17]UN Emergency Force IISinai1976–197946 RAAF detachment operating 4 UH-1 helicoptersCeasefire monitoring between Israel and Egypt
UNIFIL[12]UN Interim Force in LebanonLebanon1978A few through detachment from UNTSOMilitary observers
UNIIMOG[12]UN Iran-Iraq Military Observer GroupIran and Iraq1988–1990Up to 16 in Iran onlyMilitary observers
UNBRO[12]UN Border Relief OperationThailand/Cambodia border1989–19932 Federal PoliceLaw and order, and police training
UNTAG[18]UN Transition Assistance GroupNamibia1989–1990613 in two rotations; 28 electoral supervisorsEngineering support and election supervision
UNMCTT[12]UN Mine Clearance Training TeamAfghanistan and Pakistan1989–199310 teams of 6–9 Army field engineers. Estimated 95 totalDemining
UNSCOM[19]UN Special CommissionIraq1991–1999Between 2–6 ADF personnel on 3–6-month tours, 1 RAAF Image Analyst on rotation for up to 3 years. Estimated total 96Inspection of Iraqi chemical, biological and nuclear weapons capabilities
MINURSO[20]Mission des Nations Unies pour un Referendum au Sahara Occidental (UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara)Western Sahara1991–19945 45 person contingents. Total 225Communications
UNAMIC[21]UN Advance Mission in CambodiaCambodia1991–199265Military observers, signals and support
UNTAC[21]UN Transitional Authority in CambodiaCambodia1992–1993Up to 1,215 ADF personnelMovement Control Group (May - Sep 1992); Force Communications Unit
UNOSOM I[22]UN Operation in SomaliaSomalia1992–199330Movement control unit
UNITAF[22]Unified Task ForceSomalia1992–1993About 1,200. 1 Royal Australian Regiment Battalion Group, HQ group, and HMAS TobrukProtecting delivery of humanitarian aid, law and order, and establishing functional legal, social and economic systems
UNPROFOR[12]UN Protection Force in Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and MacedoniaFormer Yugoslavia1992SeveralMilitary observers and liaison
UNOSOM II[22]UN Operation in Somalia IISomalia1993–199536 Movements and Air Traffic Control Staff, 12-man Ready Reaction Security Team (mainly SAS) and HQ staff. 50 personnel per tour, about 250 in totalMovement control unit, HQ staff, security
UNAMIR II[23]UN Assistance Mission for RwandaRwanda1994–1995More than 600 in 2 contingentsMedical, infantry protection, support troops
ONUMOZ[24]UN Operation in MozambiqueMozambique199415 police, 4 ADFPolice and demining
MINUGUA[12]UN Verification Mission in GuatemalaGuatemala19971Military observer
UNAMET[25]UN Mission in East TimorEast Timor199950 police, 6 military liaison officersFacilitating referendum
INTERFET[25]International Force East Timor under UN mandateEast Timor1999–20005,500Establishing security, facilitating humanitarian aid and reconstruction
UNTAET[25]UN Transitional Administration in East TimorEast Timor2000–2002Up to 2,000maintaining security, facilitating reconstruction
UNMEE[26]United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and EritreaEthiopia and Eritrea2000–present2 ADF officers, 16 in totalTraining mission personnel and mapping
UNMISET[27]UN Mission of Support in East TimorEast Timor2002–2005Up to 1,600Maintaining security, facilitating reconstruction
UNMOVIC[28]UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission for IraqIraq2002–2003A few trained, two Royal Australian Air Force Armourers deployed to Iraq with one FSGT Michael Avenell taking up a role with UNMOVIC in the UNHQ New York until its disbandmentWeapons inspectors
UNAMA[29]UN Assistance Mission in AfghanistanAfghanistan2003–20041Military advisor
UNMIS (Operation Azure)[30]United Nations Mission in the SudanSudan2005–present15Military observers, logistics, air movement controllers
UNOTIL (Operation Tower)[31]United Nations Office in Timor-LesteEast Timor2005–presentAbout 17Military and police support

Australia-UN relations in 2008

In March 2008, senior United Nations officials travelled to Canberra to meet Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, elected three months earlier. According to The Age, the aim was to "repair relations". Hilde Johnson, deputy director of UNICEF, stated that Rudd was showing "stronger support" for the United Nations and multilateralism than his predecessor John Howard had.[32] During Howard's Prime Ministership, UN high commissioner for human rights Mary Robinson had criticised Australia's human rights record. Johnson stated that the new Australian government had "explicitly said there's going to be a change, that the government will engage strongly and pro-actively with the UN". For the Australian government, Bob McMullan said that his country's "relationship with the major multi-lateral organisations has deteriorated in a manner that is quite contrary to Australia's long-term interests and needs to be repaired".[33]

Australian Contributions to UN Regular Budget as at 2016
Scale of assessments adopted in UN resolution 67/238Contributions (USD)Scale of assessments for 2016Gross contributions (USD)Credit from staff assessmentNet contributions (USD)Total contributions (USD)
2.074$933,3002.337$63,103,396$5,890,149$57,213,247$58,146,547

See also

References
  1. "Australia and the United Nations". Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Australian Government. Archived from the original on 5 April 2007. Retrieved 27 March 2007.
  2. "Overview". Australian Permanent Mission to the United Nations. Archived from the original on 28 November 2006. Retrieved 19 March 2007.
  3. "Message from the Ambassador HE the Hon Robert Hill". Australian Permanent Mission to the United Nations. Archived from the original on 28 November 2006. Retrieved 19 March 2007.
  4. "GA/11303 – General Assembly Elects Argentina, Australia, Luxembourg, Republic of Korea, Rwanda as Non-Permanent Members of Security Council". United Nations Department of Public Information • News and Media Division • New York. 18 October 2012. Retrieved 19 October 2012.
  5. "Speech by the Prime Minister, the Hon P.J Keating MP: The 50th Anniversary of the United Nations Australia and a World Without Nuclear Weapons, Parliament House, Canberra, 24 October 1995". Canberra Commission on the Elimination of Nuclear Weapons. Australian Government, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Archived from the original on 3 February 2007. Retrieved 20 March 2007.
  6. "History of Peacekeeping". Australian War Memorial. Archived from the original on 2 February 2007. Retrieved 20 March 2007.
  7. "Aust to send troops to E Timor". ABC News Online. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 24 May 2006. Archived from the original on 8 April 2007. Retrieved 20 March 2007.
  8. Department of Veterans' Affairs. Australian Peacekeeping Operations Archived 9 April 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  9. "Peacekeepers in Indonesia – Then and Now". Australian War Memorial. Archived from the original on 2 February 2007. Retrieved 26 March 2007.
  10. Copeland, Paul (2002). "United Nations Good Offices Commission (UNGOC) in the Dutch East Indies & United Nations Commission for Indonesia (UNCI)". Australian Peacekeepers & Peacemakers Association. Archived from the original on 24 June 2007. Retrieved 26 March 2007.
  11. Copeland, Paul (2002). "UN Commission on Korea (UNCOK): 1948–1950". Australian Peacekeepers & Peacemakers Association. Archived from the original on 13 June 2007. Retrieved 26 March 2007.
  12. "Summary of Australian Participation in Peacekeeping Missions". Australian Government Department of Veterans' Affairs. Archived from the original on 9 June 2007. Retrieved 26 March 2007.
  13. "James Plimsoll and UNCURK". Out in the Cold, Australia's involvement in the Korean War. Australian War Memorial. Archived from the original on 25 December 2006. Retrieved 26 March 2007.
  14. Copeland, Paul (2002). "UN Command Military Armistice Commission (UNCMAC): 1953 – present". Australian Peacekeepers & Peacemakers Association. Archived from the original on 24 June 2007. Retrieved 26 March 2007.
  15. Copeland, Paul (2002). "UN Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO): 1948 – present". Australian Peacekeepers & Peacemakers Association. Archived from the original on 13 June 2007. Retrieved 26 March 2007.
  16. "Cyprus Country Brief". Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Archived from the original on 31 March 2007. Retrieved 26 March 2007.
  17. "Middle East – UNEF II Background, Composition and Strength". United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations. Archived from the original on 15 August 2006. Retrieved 26 March 2007.
  18. Copeland, Paul (2002). "UN Transition Assistance Group (UNTAG): 1989–1990". Australian Peacekeepers & Peacemakers Association. Archived from the original on 13 June 2007. Retrieved 26 March 2007.
  19. Copeland, Paul (2002). "UN Special Commission (UNSCOM)". Australian Peacekeepers & Peacemakers Association. Archived from the original on 24 June 2007. Retrieved 26 March 2007.
  20. Copeland, Paul (2002). "UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara, 1991–1994, OPERATION CEDILLA". Australian Peacekeepers & Peacemakers Association. Archived from the original on 24 June 2007. Retrieved 26 March 2007.
  21. Sawyer, Greg (2002). "UN Advanced Mission in Cambodia (UNAMIC)/UN Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) 1991–1993". UNSW United Nations Society. Archived from the original on 28 August 2007. Retrieved 26 March 2007.
  22. "Somalia 1993–1996". ANZAC Day Commemoration Committee (Qld) Incorporated. Archived from the original on 1 December 2006. Retrieved 27 March 2007.
  23. "The senseless slaughter". Army – The Soldiers' Newspaper. Retrieved 27 March 2007.
  24. "United Nations Operation in Mozambique". George Mason University, Peace Operations Policy Program. Retrieved 27 March 2007.
  25. "Australians and Peacekeeping, East Timor". Australian War Memorial. Archived from the original on 6 April 2007. Retrieved 27 March 2007.
  26. "Australia's Contribution to United Nations Operation in Ethiopia and Eritrea Ends". Senator the Hon. Robert Hill, Minister for Defence, Leader of the Government in the Senate, Australian Defence Ministers and Parliamentary Secretary Media Release. Archived from the original on 20 December 2007. Retrieved 27 March 2007.
  27. "East Timor Operation Citadel". Australian Government, Department of Defence. Archived from the original on 4 April 2007. Retrieved 27 March 2007.
  28. John Dauth (16 October 2002). "United Nations Security Council Open Debate on Iraq". Australian Government, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Archived from the original on 5 April 2007. Retrieved 27 March 2007.
  29. Caroline Millar (14 March 2006). "Security Council, The Situation in Afghanistan". Australian Permanent Mission to the United Nations, New York. Retrieved 27 March 2007.
  30. "About Operation Azure". Australian Government Department of Defence. Archived from the original on 16 April 2007. Retrieved 27 March 2007.
  31. "About Operation Tower". Australian Government Department of Defence. Archived from the original on 23 April 2007. Retrieved 27 March 2007.
  32. "UN bid to mend fences with Canberra", Sarah Smiles, The Age, 17 March 2008
  33. ibid
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