New Zealand awarded UN Security Council seat

International aid agency Oxfam New Zealand welcomes New Zealand’s election to the United Nations Security Council, saying it gives an extraordinary opportunity to make a lasting contribution to international peace and security and improve the lives of millions.

Oxfam New Zealand’s Policy Advisor Luke Roughton said New Zealand now has a real chance to contribute to solving some of the world’s most pressing issues, but it needs to move fast to set an agenda for action.

“This is an historic moment for New Zealand, to be sitting at the most powerful table in the United Nations, working for peace and security,” he said.

“After a decade long campaign, New Zealand will have only two years on the Council to make a real difference to the peace and security of the most vulnerable people in the world.

“Making change in the Security Council is difficult and New Zealand needs to begin its tenure with a focused, proactive plan of action if it wants to leave a lasting legacy. Small, independent countries like New Zealand have an important role to play in bridging differences and making better connections between the decisions of the Council and the communities they affect.”

In the context of recent humanitarian emergencies in Iraq, Syria, South Sudan and Gaza, Oxfam is urging New Zealand to ensure the Security Council better protects civilians affected by armed conflict, works to reduce the proliferation of weapons and promotes respect for the international rule of law.

“New Zealand campaigned for this seat on the basis of its independence in foreign policy and its willingness to stand up for small states. This makes it well placed to ensure that the safety of civilians is at the heart of all of the Council’s decisions”.

Oxfam is also calling on the Government to use its position on the Council to address the global spread of conventional arms and their negative impact on peace and security.

“New Zealand played a pivotal role in negotiating the Arms Trade Treaty which comes into effect this year. We encourage New Zealand to use its new position to promote greater restraint of the flow of weapons to conflict zones,” Roughton said.

Oxfam is encouraging the New Zealand Government to consult with key non-government organisations, academics and humanitarian affairs experts to detail its Security Council agenda before taking its seat on the Council on 1 January 2015.

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