AUSTRALIA'S ENGAGEMENT WITH THE UNITED NATIONS (UN)
Australia was a founding member of the UN in 1945 and has been an active participant in peacekeeping operations and other UN activities. Australia’s core interests in the UN’s agenda are international security, the environment, human rights and the Millennium Development Goals. Australia is firmly committed to the multilateral system, as demonstrated by its membership of over 40 UN peacekeeping missions since 1947, commitment to nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, and Australia’s UN Security Council candidacy for the 2013-14 term. Australia also has strong interest in the UN specialised agencies dealing with issues such as agriculture, health, refugees and international nuclear safeguards. Australia is currently the 13th largest contributor to the UN, contributing $244.05 million to the UN in 2008-09.
Australia engages actively in the UN system and is represented on the governing councils of a number of UN bodies, programs and specialised agencies. These include the International Maritime Organization Council, the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, the UN Environment Programme Governing Council and the World Heritage Committee. Australia is also represented on the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law, the International Telecommunications Union, the World Meteorological Organization and the International Civil Aviation Organization.
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