The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed former Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop as his special envoy for Myanmar, the global organization confirmed.
Bishop, currently serving as the Chancellor of the Australian National University (ANU), steps into the vacancy left since June last year, following the departure of Singaporean diplomat Noeleen Heyzer.
The UN emphasized Bishop's extensive background in policy, law, and senior management, underlining her suitability for the role.
“I am deeply honoured to be appointed special envoy of the secretary general of the United Nations on Myanmar to help deliver on the mandate of the general assembly and the security council resolution of December 2022,” Bishop said in a statement.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong lauded Bishop's appointment, recognizing her wealth of experience as crucial given the escalating political, humanitarian, and security crisis gripping Myanmar. Wong reiterated Australia's steadfast support for the resilient people of Myanmar, emphasizing the envoy's pivotal role in sustaining global attention and fostering coordinated efforts towards peace in the region.
Australia's collaboration with Bishop, ASEAN, and the broader international community aims to foster conditions conducive to lasting peace in Myanmar, Wong emphasized. Additionally, she asked to “cease violence against civilians, release those unjustly detained, allow safe and unimpeded access for humanitarian assistance and return Myanmar to the path of inclusive democracy”.
ANU Vice-Chancellor Prof Genevieve Bell also extended congratulations to Bishop, “As Australia’s first female foreign minister, Julie made an incredible contribution to global politics,” Bell said.
“Now, she’s adding special envoy to her illustrious career in global diplomacy. This is a well-deserved recognition of her significant impact on contemporary international relations.”
The appointment comes against the backdrop of Myanmar's protracted crisis, which ensued following the military's seizure of power from Aung San Suu Kyi's elected government on February 1, 2021. The nation finds itself embroiled in a bitter civil conflict pitting the military against an alliance of ethnic minority rebels and a burgeoning armed resistance movement born out of the junta's brutal suppression of anti-coup demonstrations.
Bishop, who served as Australia's foreign minister from 2013 to 2018 under Prime Ministers Tony Abbott, Malcolm Turnbull, and Scott Morrison, brings a wealth of diplomatic experience to her new role. Retiring from politics in April 2019, she assumed the position of ANU Chancellor in January 2020, a role she will continue to hold alongside her responsibilities as the UN Special Envoy.
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