Australia has formally launched its campaign for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2029–30 term, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong pledging to make conflict prevention and the defence of international rules central to the bid.
Launching the campaign on Monday, Mr Albanese said Australia wanted a stronger voice in global decisions affecting its security, economy and way of life.
“Australia’s voice on the council matters,” Mr Albanese said, arguing that greater engagement with the international community was in Australia’s national interest.
Senator Wong said Australia would advocate for a world governed by international rules rather than “power and force alone”, with priorities including preventing conflict, protecting civilians and upholding international law.
“As an active and ambitious middle power, we have a practical contribution to make to international peace and security,” she said.
The government said Australia would also focus on ocean and climate security, emerging digital technologies and giving greater weight to the concerns of small and mid-sized nations.
Australia was a founding member of the UN and served as the Security Council’s first president in 1946. If elected, the 2029–30 term would be its sixth on the council, following previous terms in 1946–47, 1956–57, 1973–74, 1985–86 and 2013–14.
The last Australian term included work on accountability for the downing of MH17, humanitarian access and the Women, Peace and Security agenda.
Mr Albanese said Australia would seek to “listen with respect, partner as equals and protect what matters most”.
The UN General Assembly is scheduled to elect the 2029–30 Security Council members in June 2028.
