Overview
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese began active lobbying in New York on Sunday as Australia formally launched its campaign for a 2029–30 non‑permanent Security Council seat.
- The government is pitching Australia as a middle power that can help shape rules on emerging threats such as artificial intelligence and cyber attacks and promote climate and Pacific security.
- Australia and Finland are the only declared candidates so far for the Western Europe and Others Group seats but Australia must still secure a two‑thirds majority of UN member states in the June 2028 secret ballot to win.
- A non‑permanent seat would give Australia a vote on council decisions, access to closed consultations, the ability to negotiate and chair subsidiary bodies, and a one‑month presidency but it would not carry veto power.
- The campaign leans on Australia’s UN credentials, including its role on the council in 2013–14 when it led negotiations after MH17, and the country’s status as a major UN funder to argue it can amplify smaller states’ concerns and protect civilians.