Australia in the UN Security Council

Australia’s time as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council is the subject of a new Lowy Institute Analysis by New York University academic Richard Gowan.

Launched today, Australia in the UN Security Council, is a positive assessment of Australia’s performance on the Council.  

'Australia’s advocacy for human rights, humanitarian causes and more effective sanctions has had a positive impact on both the Security Council and attitudes to Australia across the UN', said Analysis author, Richard Gowan.

'In particular, Australia has played a strong role on the Syrian issue where it has been instrumental in building a fragile consensus on the issue of humanitarian access', said Gowan.

In preparing his Analysis Gowan interviewed a wide range of UN officials, diplomats and NGOs. Australian officials, led by Ambassador and Permanent Representative, Gary Quinlan, were praised for their pragmatism, collegiality and openness.

Gowan argues that for a country of its size and power Australia has worked well within the limits of the UN system.

'Australia could never transform the UN in two years on the Security Council, but it hasn’t just let the bigger powers push it about either. It has made a greater impact than other rising powers – including Brazil and India – who have also had turns on the Council in recent years', said Gowan.

Gowan acknowledges, however, that Australia has only been able to have relatively limited influence on situations where bigger powers have greater say at the UN.

'The UN is a mess, but Australia at least tried to make it better'.