United Nations

From 19 to 23 September I will be in New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly Leaders' Week as well as Security Council meetings on Iraq and on the MH17 investigation. I will discuss continuing threats to global peace and security, for the overall focus of my visit will be to foster cooperative, international action against these threats among United Nations member states.

On 19 September I will deliver a statement on Iraq to the UNSC confirmingAustralia's support for the international community's condemnation of the terrorist groups ISIL, the Al-Nusrah Front and others.

This meeting is ahead of the Prime Minister's visit later in the week for UNSC discussions addressing the threat posed by foreign terrorist fighters. Australia will take up presidency of the Security Council in November and cooperative action against these terrorists groups will be a priority of our presidency.

I will hold a number of bilateral meetings with regional and Middle Eastern nations.

While in New York I will also head Australia's delegation to the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples, the first of its kind at the United Nations. Australia is seeking practical outcomes that help improve the wellbeing of indigenous peoples, and reflects the unique contributions they make to societies.

I will also participate in a number of events focused on the rights of women including the Equal Futures Partnership and the International Conference on Population and Development.

Australia is committed to building partnerships that tackle the most complex development challenges through investment in innovation and the Global Innovation Fund, of which Australia is a founding partner, will be launched on 23 September.

At the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate and the UN Climate Summit on 23 September, I will signal Australia's support for steps towards a new global agreement that establishes a common playing field for all countries to take action from 2020. Australia is firmly committed to taking practical action to reduce emissions, both at home and abroad, while also stimulating economic growth.