Flags are raised outside the United Nations in New York
The United Nations General AssemblySYDNEY (AFP) — Australia's new government is seeking a greater role in the United Nations to help make the world body more effective, Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said Wednesday.
Smith said Australia's bid for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council in 2013-14 signalled his centre-left government's desire to play a more active role in the organisation than the previous conservative administration.
"Unlike the recent previous period, the Australian government will be engaged in and contribute to the pre-eminent forum for multilateral action -- the United Nations," he said in a speech in Sydney.
Former prime minister John Howard's government, which was ousted by Smith's Labor Party last November, had a chilly relationship with the UN, partially due to its criticism of Australia's treatment of refugees and Aborigines.
Howard also disagreed with the UN's refusal to back the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.
Smith said modern challenges such as climate change, terrorism and transnational crime were global problems that required global solutions through multilateral organisations such as the UN.
"We think it appropriate that we play our part in helping to reform the United Nations, so that it becomes more effective and efficient," he told the Lowy Institute foreign policy think-tank.
Smith reiterated Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's stated goal that "Australia should play an active role as a creative middle power."
Since coming to power, Rudd's government has already increased its involvement with the UN, signalling its intention to follow up on an apology to Aborigines by reversing Howard's opposition to a UN declaration on indigenous rights.
Canberra has also provided funds to a cash-strapped genocide tribunal in Cambodia that is backed by the UN, as well as calling for India and Japan to receive permanent spots on the UN Security Council.
Smith also described Australia's alliance with the United States as "indispensable" and said Canberra wanted to "re-engage" with the European Union.
He said Australia aimed to use the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum to strengthen regional trade and investment.
Australia's stability, prosperity and national security were closely linked to the countries of the Asia-Pacific region, he said.
Smith said Australia's bid for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council in 2013-14 signalled his centre-left government's desire to play a more active role in the organisation than the previous conservative administration.
"Unlike the recent previous period, the Australian government will be engaged in and contribute to the pre-eminent forum for multilateral action -- the United Nations," he said in a speech in Sydney.
Former prime minister John Howard's government, which was ousted by Smith's Labor Party last November, had a chilly relationship with the UN, partially due to its criticism of Australia's treatment of refugees and Aborigines.
Howard also disagreed with the UN's refusal to back the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.
Smith said modern challenges such as climate change, terrorism and transnational crime were global problems that required global solutions through multilateral organisations such as the UN.
"We think it appropriate that we play our part in helping to reform the United Nations, so that it becomes more effective and efficient," he told the Lowy Institute foreign policy think-tank.
Smith reiterated Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's stated goal that "Australia should play an active role as a creative middle power."
Since coming to power, Rudd's government has already increased its involvement with the UN, signalling its intention to follow up on an apology to Aborigines by reversing Howard's opposition to a UN declaration on indigenous rights.
Canberra has also provided funds to a cash-strapped genocide tribunal in Cambodia that is backed by the UN, as well as calling for India and Japan to receive permanent spots on the UN Security Council.
Smith also described Australia's alliance with the United States as "indispensable" and said Canberra wanted to "re-engage" with the European Union.
He said Australia aimed to use the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum to strengthen regional trade and investment.
Australia's stability, prosperity and national security were closely linked to the countries of the Asia-Pacific region, he said.
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