AIIA ACT - Mr Gary Quinlan presents: Australia's term on the United Nations Security Council: Was it worth it?
The ACT Branch of the Australian Institute of International Affairs hosted a presentation by Mr Gary Quinlan, Deputy Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; former Australian Ambassador & Permanent Representative to the United Nations, New York. Mr Quinlan discusses the efficacy of Australia’s term on the United Nations Security Council.
Australia’s two year term on the Security Council is widely recognised as one of the most effective by any elected member for decades. It served Australian core interests on Afghanistan, counter-terrorism, North Korea, Syria, non-proliferation, and in the international response to the shooting down of MH17 over Ukraine. It reinforced relations with key partners, the US, UK and France. Australia’s initiatives to curb the illicit flow of small arms and to strengthen policing in peacekeeping operations were pioneering. Our efforts to reform implementation of UN sanctions were ultimately blocked but have left a legacy for future change. Australia strongly supported robust peacekeeping and the use of force by UN peacekeepers when needed. Our emphasis on the humanitarian dimensions of conflict has been instrumental at a time when the numbers of displaced people and refugees is the highest since World War 2. Australia should nominate for future terms regularly.
Gary Quinlan is a Deputy Secretary in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. He was Australia’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York from 2009 until January 2015, and Australian Representative on the United Nations Security Council 2013-2014. He was President of the Security Council in September 2013 and November 2014. He was Principal Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, Defence and National Security late 2007-2009. Mr Quinlan has served in several senior positions in the Department in Canberra with responsibility for areas including East Asia, the Americas and Europe, and in management. His overseas assignments before his recent one in New York have been as Deputy in the Australian Embassy in Washington DC, 2005-2007; High Commissioner to Singapore, 2001-2005; First Secretary, Australian Mission to the United Nations, New York, 1981-1985; Australian Deputy Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, Paris 1979-1981; and Second Secretary in the Australian Embassy in Dublin, 1974-1977.
Produced by Chris Farnham and Gayan Vithanage
Edited by Gayan Vithanage