UN General Assembly Debate on Use of the Veto – 1737 Iran Sanctions Committee Panel of Experts
Statement delivered by H.E Beth Delaney, Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of Australia to the UN
1 October 2026
President,
Australia deeply regrets that Russia and China vetoed the renewal of the mandate of the 1737 Iran Sanctions Committee’s Panel of Experts, so soon after the IAEA Board of Governors referred Iran to the Security Council for refusing to comply with its safeguards obligations.
The Panel’s role has become even more important in light of Iran’s complete lack of cooperation with the IAEA.
The veto has deprived the Council and the wider membership of the opportunity to receive impartial, evidence-based reporting and analysis of violations of UN sanctions imposed on Iran.
This only aids Iran and those assisting it with evasion of UN sanctions, which remain in force for the benefit of global peace and security.
Taken together, this veto and Russia’s 2024 veto of the DPRK Panel of Experts’ mandate undermine decades of collective efforts to uphold the global non-proliferation regime.
We continue to support a diplomatic solution to ensure Iran never acquires or develops nuclear weapons.
President,
The veto prevents the Council from acting far too often.
Australia’s opposition to the veto is longstanding.
We will continue to oppose the veto, advocate for restraint in its use, and defend the global non-proliferation regime.
This reflects our commitment to practical, principled and collaborative action that upholds international law, strengthens the global non-proliferation regime, and ensures the Council can act effectively to maintain international peace and security.
That is why we co-sponsored the Veto Initiative – an important mechanism to promote greater transparency and accountability in the Council.
As our Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, has said, the UN must be more than an arena for the great powers to veto each other’s ambitions.
As a candidate for the Council in 2029-30, Australia supports practical reform to ensure the Council can fulfil its mandate and maintain the confidence of the international community.
Thank you.