Australia contests for non-permanent seat in UNSC in 2029-30

Melbourne: Australia on Wednesday announced its bid for a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council, with Foreign Minister Julie Bishop stressing on the need for international cooperation to tackle security challenges.

"If elected, Australia will use our term to support Australia's core national security interests, while enhancing our international influence by making a practical constructive contribution across the Security Council's agenda," she said.

Australia, whose last two-year term ended in December 2014, would make its bid for a non-permanent seat in 2029-30.

The UN Security Council includes 10 non-permanent members, with five elected each year.

Noting that need for strong international cooperation to tackle global security challenges was becoming more pressing each year, Bishop said, "Australia seeks this term determined that elected members can and should make a difference in increasing the Security Council's effectiveness in maintaining international peace and security."

"Australia served with distinction throughout our last two-year term, which ended in December 2014. We championed initiatives that directly supported our national security interests, taking the lead on a number of landmark resolutions," Bishop said.

The 2029-30 term is the first available opportunity to nominate for a seat that is uncontested, giving Australia the greatest chance of success.

Australia is also a candidate for the Human Rights Council for the term 2018-20.

"We are an international leader in advancing the rights of women and girls, strengthening governance and democratic institutions, and promoting freedom of expression," she said.

As a member of the Human Rights Council, Australia would bring a clear focus on addressing human rights violations and holding perpetrators to account.

Australia would also be a leading advocate for global abolition of the death penalty, she said.

Australia chaired the al Qaeda, Taliban and Iran sanctions committees and coordinated the Council's work on Afghanistan.

"We pressed for a concerted international response to the rise of Da'esh and the threat of foreign terrorist fighters," Bishop said.

"Australia promoted the linkages between human rights protection and political stability and security, including putting the human rights situation in North Korea on the Council's formal agenda," he added.