UN General Assembly
2001

perpetrators to justice. This will continue to be a high priority for my Government. We will also continue to contribute to broader international efforts to deal with the causes of irregular migration. These efforts, which have the protection needs of refugees at their core, will continue while we work with others in our region and internationally to combat illegal migration and people- smuggling. Afghans fleeing the devastation of their homeland pose a particular challenge to the international community. A renewed focus and a more coordinated response are needed. Australia supports the efforts of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and those of the countries of first asylum to protect refugees in South-West Asia. We have 5 advocated, consistently and strongly, a comprehensive response to the Afghan situation and substantially increased our assistance to displaced and vulnerable Afghans in South-West Asia. The international community faces grave new challenges that threaten global peace and prosperity. At the same time, as the Secretary-General said in his statement, the challenges that faced us before 11