The federal government has set up a $2 million Responsibility to Protect fund to work closely with the United Nations in protecting populations facing humanitarian crisis.
The UN's Responsibility to Protect (R2P) principle was developed at the 2005 World Summit and is designed to protect member populations from heinous mass crimes such as genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity.
Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith said the fund, to be administered by AusAID, would underpin critical work to be done for the concept's development.
"Australia supports the R2P principle and, in this critical early stage of its development, will support efforts to clarify the concept and consolidate its authority," said Mr Smith.
"The government has affirmed Australia's support for the New York-based Global Centre NGO that will work to move R2P from principle to practice.
"Australia is fortunate to have a range of institutions, individuals and NGOs who are very committed to the principle and who can contribute to its development."
Mr Smith said the $2 million would be available on a competitive basis to institutions, NGOs and individuals in Australia, for projects which will contribute to the development of the R2P principle.
