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At UN, Australia says action on Global Goals will 'transform world' for betterment of all

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop of Australia addresses the general debate of the General Assembly’s seventieth session.
UN Photo/Cia Pak
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop of Australia addresses the general debate of the General Assembly’s seventieth session.

At UN, Australia says action on Global Goals will 'transform world' for betterment of all

Speaking to the 70th United Nations General Assembly, Julie Bishop, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia, commended the unanimous endorsement and adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by the UN and its Member States.

“Should we realize all 17 Goals, we will transform our world for the betterment of humankind. We must ensure that the remarkable spirit of cooperation displayed during the negotiation process is maintained as we work to turn these ambitious Goals into reality,” she told the annual General Debate.

She also called for the collective participation of all countries in the combat against climate change, saying the phenomenon is a challenge for all nations, and decisive action is required to affectively address it.

“We will only succeed in reducing global emissions if there is engagement by the entire UN membership,” said Ms. Bishop. “Australia has announced a strong, responsible and achievable post-2020 contribution to international climate action. We are committed to ensuring the UN Climate Conference in Paris is the platform needed to secure a collective approach to the 2 degree goal,” she added.

As for her country’s contribution to meeting Goal 5 of the SDGs, she said Australia has established a $50 million fund to accelerate support for gender equality in development programmes it delivers in the Indo-Pacific. “We must step up the fight against the global scourge of violence against women and girls,” she stressed.

Regarding the Europe refugee crisis, Ms. Bishop commended the neighbouring countries to war-torn Syria and Iraq and pledge Australian support in terms of humanitarian assistance.

“The humanitarian consequences of the conflicts in Syria and Iraq are devastating. I commend neighbouring countries – Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey – which continue to bear the brunt of the population of displaced persons.”

She said that Australia has provided $230 million in humanitarian assistance since the start of the conflicts. The massive flows of displaced people across the Middle East and into Europe have stretched response capacities to breaking point. In this environment, people smugglers will strive to prosper from their dangerous and criminal trade, she added.

Julie Bishop is among the many leaders who will address the general debate of 70th General Assembly which opened this year with the adoption of Agenda 2030 and 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Made up of all the 193 Member States of the UN, the Assembly provides a forum for multilateral discussion of international issues covered by the UN Charter.