Bishop takes UN council helm, and praise

Julie Bishop took the role of "president" on the UN Security Council and the glory from Kevin Rudd. Source: AAP

IT was Kevin's vision but Julie got the glory.

Former prime minister Kevin Rudd endured criticism, even ridicule, when he initiated Australia's campaign for a seat on the United Nations Security Council in 2008 and was lambasted for spending "millions" in order to make it a reality.

But as warm applause rang around the genteel chamber housing the Security Council on Thursday and representative after representative congratulated Australia for its leadership on a landmark small arms resolution, it was Julie Bishop who accepted the praise.

In October 2012, as then prime minister Julia Gillard celebrated Australia's impressive victory in the vote for a two-year stint on one of the most effective UN bodies, Ms Bishop dismissively suggested there was "a limit to what can be achieved as a temporary member on the United Nations Security Council".

Tony Abbott, perhaps churlishly, declared it an "expensive victory".

But that was then.

Now, Ms Bishop, as Australia's new foreign minister, has taken the role of "president" and chair of the council, and urged it to continue to make crucial, life-saving decisions such as backing the control and proliferation of illicit small arms and weapons.

She proudly presided over the debate and vote on the resolution, securing 14 yes votes.

There were no votes in the negative and Russia was the only country that failed to back the measure by opting to abstain.

The resolution is designed to regulate international arms transfers and prohibit shipments to governments that fail to conform with the UN Charter.

"The treaty will also help address weapons diversion from government stockpiles - a growing and disturbing source of arms for pirates, rebels and warlords," said UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

An estimated 500,000 people die annually as a result of the use of small arms, many of them civilians.

"These weapons pose a grave threat to civilians, to peacekeepers, to humanitarian workers and to civil society organisations," Ms Bishop said.

"Their proliferation and misuse can undermine the rule of law and human rights, and destroy efforts to rebuild broken societies."

During the discussion, Ms Bishop noted the resolution had particular relevance for the countries in Australia's region, recalling the key role the surrender and confiscation of more than 4000 weapons had in the Australian-led push to stabilise the Solomon Islands over the past decade.

She urged the Security Council to revisit the issue on a regular basis.

Implementation of the "treaty" is still a way off. Fifty countries need to formally ratify the resolution for it to come into effect - only seven have done so to date, while 110 UN states have signed it.

Ms Bishop took the helm at the council as part of Australia's two-year stint as a non-permanent member.

The minister's visit to the UN for Leaders' Week coincides with Australia's month-long assignment in the Security Council presidency role, which is awarded on a revolving basis.

It is the first time since 1985/86 that Australia has presided over the council.

The vote was precisely what Australia was seeking although the gathering didn't go without a hitch - the minister stumbled over the name of the Azerbaijan Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov and the lights in the ornate room went out briefly as the United States delegate Samantha Powell began to speak.

While she lingered in the council for a time after the meeting, Ms Bishop opted not to discuss Australia's rare venture into the global political and diplomatic spotlight with the media.

During a busy week in New York, it has become increasingly difficult for the Australian media to secure time with the minister, especially since her recount of a bilateral meeting on Monday with her Indonesian counterpart sparked fresh controversy over the Abbott government's policy on asylum seekers.

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