AUSTRALIA'S ENGAGEMENT WITH THE UNITED NATIONS (UN)
Australia was a founding UN member in 1945 and has been an active participant in peace-keeping operations and other UN activities. Its core interests in the UN’s agenda are international security, the environment, human rights and targeted development. Australia also has strong interest in the UN technical agencies dealing with issues such as agriculture, health, refugees and international nuclear safeguards. Australia is currently the 13th largest contributor to the UN, accounting for US$141.2m of the UN’s total budget in 2006-07.
Australia supports efforts to reform the UN system and make it more efficient and responsive to contemporary challenges. Australia is represented on the governing councils of a number of UN bodies, programs and specialised agencies. These include the World Food Program, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the UN Environment Program, the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, the International Labour Organisation, the International Maritime Organisation, the International Civil Aviation Organisation and the International Telecommunications Union.
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