UN General Assembly
2020

We know that trade creates wealth and brings nations together. It makes us more prosperous, all of us. We won’t retreat into the downward spiral of protectionism in Australia. So we’re leading efforts to reform the World Trade Organization. We’re advocating for trade rules that are predictable, transparent and non-discriminatory. We’re helping to design the first-ever set of global digital trade rules so we keep pace with modern realities. And we’re working hard to preserve crucial elements of the WTO’s dispute settlement system so trade rules can continue to be enforced. Australia also relies heavily on the international standards that UN technical bodies set, especially in areas like aviation, telecommunications, and health. These issues are vital to all of our prosperity, and we want to play a bigger role alongside business and civil society in setting relevant and efficient standards. We need to make sure these standards serve all countries rather than any single power, and that they are developed in line with the fundamental principles of the global order.