NZ's envoy gears up for tough UN issues

Jim McLay. Photo / Martin Sykes

New Zealand has taken its seat at the heart of international decision-making for the next two years.

The country's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Jim McLay, attended the first formal session of 2015 of the UN Security Council yesterday. New Zealand was elected a non-permanent member in October.

Mr McLay said: "We're obviously very proud to be representing not only our country, but also our region, which has been historically under-represented on the Security Council. I'm thinking in particular the Pacific and also the East Asia region as well."

The council's first open session focused on the UN's attempts to stabilise the North African country of Mali.

Before that, in a closed meeting, members discussed chemical weapons in Syria.

Mr McLay outlined New Zealand's position: "One of the major priorities has to be the destruction of all manufacturing facilities and we'll be looking very closely at that and also to ensure that there has been full and honest disclosure."

A more contentious issue is on the horizon. Jordan plans to reintroduce a motion which would establish an independent Palestinian state and end Israeli occupation.

A similar resolution last year fell short with eight votes of support, five abstentions, and two "no" votes by the United States and Australia.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully said New Zealand would have voted "yes" or abstained. Decisions require nine "yes" votes out of 15 and no veto by the five permanent members - China, France, Russia, Britain and the US.