Australia has formally launched a bid to serve a two-year term on the UN Security Council in 2029 and 2030. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that Australia's engagement with the world, including a potential council seat, could benefit ordinary citizens by influencing the cost of living and inflation.
The vote for the UN council spot is scheduled for mid-2028, with lobbying efforts set to intensify during the Prime Minister's visit to New York for the UN General Assembly. Australia has previously served on the Security Council five times, most recently in 2013 and 2014.
Albanese also announced Siobhan McKenna, former News Corp head of broadcasting, as Australia’s next consul general to New York. McKenna, who is currently chair of Australia Post, is expected to take up the role later in the year.
Australia's campaign, named "we listen, we partner, we protect," aims to boost the voices of middle powers and smaller nations. Key aspects of the campaign will include Australia's ban on social media for individuals under 16 and its recent efforts to implement guardrails on the use of artificial intelligence.
Australia is vying for one of two spots from the Western Europe and Others group, with Finland also having declared its candidacy. To be successful, Australia would need support from two-thirds of the 193 UN member states.