Visit to the United States

I willvisit New York from 16 to 20 May, where I will launch Australia's inauguralcandidacy for the Human Rights Council for the term 2018-2020 at United NationsHeadquarters, and meet senior Trump Administration and UN officials.

Australia'scampaign for a seat on the Human Rights Council reflects our commitment toworking with other nations to find long-term practical solutions to complexhuman rights challenges. In addition to the launch, I will hold a series ofmeetings and events engaging with Ambassadors to the UN to promote ourcandidacy.

Ifelected, Australia will add a valuable Indo-Pacific perspective and bring tothe Council the same principled, pragmatic and consultative approach thatdistinguished our term on the UN Security Council.

Whilein New York I will meet the US Ambassador to the United Nations and member ofPresident Donald Trump's Cabinet, Nikki Haley, to discuss US-Australiancooperation in the UN.

I willannounce a four-year, $44 million partnership agreement with the UN CentralEmergency Response Fund (CERF) to help meet humanitarian needs globally. The CERF providescritical life-saving assistance by responding rapidly to fast-developing crisissituations and supporting underfunded existing crises.

I will also meet MichaelBloomberg to discuss our collaboration on the Data for Health initiative. Iwill announce the innovationXchange's new partnership with the MassachusettsInstitute of Technology and Australian software company Atlassian on a labourforce challenge. This partnership will help young people from the Indo-Pacificregion prepare for the workforce of the future.

I willalso meet senior business figures and the American Australian Association topromote Australian trade and investment and seek future opportunities for Australianbusiness in the US.