International organisations

The LGBTI Core Group is an informal cross regional group established in 2008. The group is co-chaired by Argentina and The Netherlands, and includes Albania, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Cabo Verde, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Malta, Montenegro, Mexico, Nepal, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the United States of America, Uruguay, the European Union, as well as the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the non-governmental organizations Human Rights Watch and OutRight Action International

As the Committee chair highlighted today, persons with disabilities are disproportionately affected by the health, economic and social impacts of COVID-19, and may experience barriers that make it difficult to keep themselves safe from contracting COVID-19 and to access essential health services.

Like others, Australia is deeply concerned by the deteriorating situation in Myanmar and condemns ongoing human rights abuses by the regime. Australia calls again for the de-escalation of violence, for the release of those arbitrarily detained, including Australian Professor Sean Turnell and other foreigners, and for the regime to engage in dialogue with all stakeholders in line with the Five Point Consensus agreed with ASEAN leaders.

Our countries thank the United States for presenting this draft resolution and are pleased to co-sponsor it. We strongly support the resolution, which recognises the importance of fair, periodic, inclusive and genuine elections, and the role of the UN in assisting Member States to arrange them.

Homelessness is indeed a pressing global challenge, affecting both developing and developed countries. As highlighted in the resolution, it is an issue which can affect the enjoyment of human rights. In turn, it is essential that, in addressing the issue of homelessness, Member States protect, promote and fulfil the human rights of all persons.

Australia is committed to responding to the unprecedented challenge posed by increasing global displacement. We affirm our continued support of UNHCR and its mandate – to protect refugees and other people of concern, and assist in finding durable solutions to their displacement. We reiterate the importance of working together to address global displacement, in line with the Global Compact on Refugees.

Australia deeply regrets that we are in the position of having to explain our vote on this resolution at all. There is no higher priority for countries right now than access to COVID-19 vaccines. We strongly support the principles that this resolution sought to highlight: that is, equitable, affordable, timely and universal access to vaccines. For all of us, our own health security is tied to that of our neighbours, so we all have a stake in facilitating access as soon as possible.

Our delegations recognize the numerous challenges presented by disinformation presents numerous challenges. We therefore thank Pakistan for having brought forward this topic. Indeed, we share the view that greater international collaboration to combat disinformation is needed.

Cybercrime is a pervasive and constantly evolving threat that affects all States, large and small.

The Generation Equality Forum was a major global inflection point and probably the most important multi-stakeholder initiative of recent years for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. This landmark effort brought together governments, civil society, corporations and change makers from around the world to define an ambitious feminist road map to accelerate equality, leadership and opportunity for all women and girls worldwide.