Having been a member of the working group which assisted in the planning, the Australian Institute of International Affairs was pleased to attend the third round of DFAT’s Civil Society Consultations regarding Australia’s seat on the UN Security Council, on Wednesday 16 July.

The consultations were opened by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Julie Bishop MP, and consisted of over 30 civil society groups, academics and advocates who had the opportunity to ask questions put forward their recommendations for Australia’s remaining time on the UNSC.

The morning’s country round-table session focused on key issues in the Middle East, and in particular Syria and Afghanistan. In the afternoon participants had the opportunity to exchange their views during two parallel thematic round-table sessions; one on the issue of protection of civilians and the other on humanitarian issues and disarmament.