UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY DEBATE ON THE USE OF THE VETO
09 January 2024
Statement by H.E. Mr James Larsen, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Australia to the United Nations
President,
Australia welcomes the Special Report provided by the President of the Security Council on the use of the veto at its 9520th meeting.
And we thank you for convening this meeting in line with General Assembly resolution 76/262, known as the veto initiative.
Australia is a long-standing supporter of the initiative as a mechanism for bringing greater transparency and accountability to the use of the veto.
To this end, we thank the United States for its statement explaining its use of the veto on 22 December 2023.
President,
Australia unequivocally condemns the 7 October Hamas attacks as abhorrent acts of terror.
We continue to call for the immediate release of all hostages.
We have consistently reaffirmed Israel’s right to defend itself, but we have also said that the way it does so matters.
Israel must respect international humanitarian law, and protect civilian lives and civilian infrastructure.
Australia welcomes the Security Council’s adoption of resolutions 2712 and 2720, and the appointment of Sigrid Kaag as the Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza.
We are concerned by the Secretary-General’s report that resolution 2712 remains under-implemented.
And we call for its full and expedited delivery.
We also want to see humanitarian pauses resume so that urgent aid can flow to civilians in Gaza.
Such pauses are important steps towards a permanent and sustainable ceasefire.
Australia remains concerned about the potential for the conflict to spill over regionally.
And we urge restraint along the Blue Line and for parties to respect resolution 1701.
We reiterate that ongoing Houthi attacks in the Red Sea are unacceptable and destabilising.
President,
Australia made its position on this conflict clear in our statement at the resumed 10th Emergency Special Session on 12 December 2023, and we reiterate that position.
We remain committed to a just peace in the form of a two-state solution where Israelis and Palestinians live securely side by side within internationally recognised borders.
Finally, today’s proceedings remind us of our collective interest as members of this Assembly in full implementation of resolution 76/262.
Thank you.