GENERAL ASSEMBLY CONSIDERATION UNDER THE VETO INITIATIVE OF BAHRAIN’S UNSC RESOLUTION ON THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ
Statement by H.E Mr. James Larsen, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Australia to the United Nations
16 April 2026
Thank you, President.
Australia commends Bahrain and our Gulf partners for their efforts in the Security Council to ensure respect for navigational rights and freedoms in the Strait of Hormuz. We are disappointed that vetoes were exercised last week.
Navigational rights and freedoms matter for all states. All states benefit from an open Strait of Hormuz and a safe and predictable environment for global supply chains.
That is why Australia is participating in discussions on multinational diplomatic efforts to support navigational rights and freedoms.
President
The human, security, and economic impacts of the Iran conflict are significant and far-reaching.
We condemn the indiscriminate attacks inflicted by Iran and its proxies across the Middle East, including against civilians, civilian infrastructure and commercial vessels.
We welcome all efforts towards de-escalation including the ceasefire announced last week between the United States, Israel and Iran.
Australia urges all parties to uphold the ceasefire in full. Negotiations must continue towards a resolution to the conflict, which will support a re-opening of the Strait.
The human cost and the global economic impact of this conflict is mounting – the warnings, including this week from the IMF, are dire.
We are seeing unprecedented shocks to global energy, fertiliser and petrochemical supplies, with immediate and long-lasting consequences reverberating around the world.
In our region, Pacific Island countries are uniquely exposed to price volatility, supply chain disruptions and fuel shortages.
More broadly, the World Food Program has warned that Iran’s actions in the strait could push a further 45 million people into extreme hunger by June. The world’s most vulnerable are most at risk.
President,
The expansion of the conflict into Lebanon, the loss of life and the displacement of more than 1.2 million civilians is deeply distressing.
The ceasefire must be extended to Lebanon – to prevent further loss of life and to give parties the space needed to negotiate a lasting settlement.
President,
Australia repeats its call for all parties across the region to uphold international humanitarian law and for civilians to be protected – and to cease any attacks that deliberately threaten the safety and security of humanitarian personnel.
Thank you.