Australia was elected to the position in October following a four-year campaign started by former prime minister and foreign minister Kevin Rudd.
Foreign Minister Bob Carr says for the next two years, Australia will have a direct hand in shaping solutions to the world's most pressing security challenges.
He says Australia's UN priorities for early 2013 include talks on the future of international involvement in Syria and Security Council consideration of responses to the North Korean rocket launch on December 12.
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It's the first time since 1986 that Australia has had a seat on the UN Security Council and the first meeting is expected next week.
