Arria-Formula Meeting of the Security Council on Bridging the Implementation Gap: Security Council Resolutions and the Maintenance of International Peace and Security
Statement delivered by H.E. Ms Beth Delaney, Deputy Permanent Representative of Australia to the United Nations
23 June 2026
Colleagues,
UN Security Council resolutions sit at the heart of the Council’s work – they are a cornerstone of efforts to maintain international peace and security.
Australia is firmly committed to complying with and implementing UN Security Council resolutions.
Council resolutions are one of the most authoritative and effective international law tools. Pursuant to Article 25 of the UN Charter, UNSC resolutions can impose legally binding obligations on member states.
They can also advance the norms and values that underpin international law and promote compliance when restating and reiterating member states’ existing obligations.
Resolution 2730 on the protection of humanitarian personnel, which Australia was proud to co-sponsor, is one such example.
It calls on all states to respect and protect humanitarian personnel, including those working for the UN and its partners, in accordance with international law.
Despite this unequivocal call from the Council, more than 300 humanitarian personnel were killed in 2025, the first full year since resolution 2730 was adopted in 2024.
These figures are a painful illustration of both the risks faced by humanitarian personnel and the costs of the non-implementation of Council resolutions and violations of international law.
Australia takes our responsibility to implement Council resolutions seriously.
That is why we led on the Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel, which outlined practical measures that states can take to protect humanitarian personnel. We continue to champion this important initiative and urge all member states to join.
Colleagues,
As a candidate for the UN Security Council in 2029-30, Australia will listen, partner and protect.
We will promote cooperative, practical approaches to build resilience, strengthen institutions, and prevent conflict before it takes hold.
We will use our role to amplify small and middle-power voices to ensure these perspectives help shape the Council’s decisions and deliver meaningful outcomes.
we pledge to work constructively to help the Council fulfil its mandate should we be elected, including by proactively monitoring and following up on the implementation of its resolutions.
Thank you.