Australia has formally launched its campaign for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2029–2030 term, seeking a stronger role in shaping international responses to conflict, climate security and emerging digital challenges.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong launched the campaign during the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Week in New York.
The Government says Australia’s campaign will focus on conflict prevention, protecting civilians, advancing ocean and climate security and promoting peaceful and resilient digital futures.
Albanese said Australia’s bid reflected its long-standing commitment to multilateral cooperation and giving smaller and mid-sized countries a voice in global decision-making.
“The hopes of Australians are the hopes of people everywhere – to live in peace and to build a better future,” Albanese said.
“That is the voice that Australia will bring to the Security Council.”
Australia is seeking the seat at a time when the Government says international cooperation is facing major challenges, including armed conflicts, cyber security, climate change and the rapid development of artificial intelligence.
Wong said Australia wanted a world governed by rules and international law rather than power and force alone.
“As an active and ambitious middle power, we have a practical contribution to make to international peace and security,” Wong said.
“Australia’s focus on the UN Security Council will be conflict prevention, the protection of civilians and defending the rules that protect us all.”
Australia says its approach will be based on listening to different perspectives, partnering as equals and protecting people, the planet and international rules. It also plans to amplify the concerns of small and mid-sized states.
Australia was a founding member of the United Nations and served as the first president of the Security Council in 1946. It has previously served on the Council five times, most recently in 2013–14. If elected for 2029–30, the term would be Australia’s sixth.
Australia has also contributed more than 65,000 personnel to more than 60 UN and other multilateral peace and security operations since 1947, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The UN General Assembly will elect the members for the 2029–2030 term in June 2028.
Australia’s campaign also comes as Canberra advocates reform of the Security Council, including greater representation for regions currently under-represented in the Council’s permanent and non-permanent membership.
India has previously expressed support for Australia’s 2029–30 non-permanent candidacy, while Australia has reiterated its support for India’s bid for a permanent seat on a reformed Security Council.
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