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Australia's future prosperity relies in part on its continued support for the world's poorer nations, according to the UN's third-most powerful employee.

Speaking at today's QUT Business Leaders' Forum, Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark reminded Queensland's business elite that peace and prosperity in emerging markets benefited first-world economies greatly.

"There can be no question that the geoeconomics and geopolitics of our world are changing very, very fast, especially in the aftermath of the Global Financial Crisis when many of the advanced economies have struggled to make headway and when the emerging economies are carrying the burden of sustainable global growth," Ms Clark said.

"The demand for commodities, goods and services from developing countries whose people have high disposable incomes and better prospects has certainly helped countries like yours and mine at a time of sluggish demand from our traditional markets."

Pointing to Australia's current influx of asylum seekers, Ms Clark said underdevelopment and conflict were "huge push factors for migration".

"The truth is, the whole world benefits if developing countries are prospering, if they are well-governed and peaceful, and they have educated and healthy populations," she said.

"Of course, the reverse is also true - that conflict and instability, powered by weak governments and injustice, have wide spill-over effects."

Since leaving New Zealand politics in 2008, Ms Clark has led the UNDP, which delivers $5 billion worth of development programs in 177 countries and territories.

Ms Clark shared her leadership story with the 600-strong business community, from her childhood on a farm in New Zealand's rural heartland to her struggle for credibility as the nation's first elected female Prime Minister.

There were no local role models when she was first elected to parliament at the age of 31, she said.

"Few women had ever been members of parliament, even fewer had been ministers, none had ever led a major party."

Under a barrage of questions about her views on the Australian Labor Party's leadership spill last week, Ms Clark said the situation was not about political incompetence.

"What you're seeing is a struggle for power," Ms Clark said.

"Once you get to the top job, there are a lot of people who want that job - they may be in your party or in the opposition party.

"Keep looking straight ahead. You've only got three years.

"You have to get going fast to deliver against your manifesto - you can't worry about criticism."

Ms Clark attributed much of her leadership success to being "utterly transparent" in her role as Prime Minister.

"You have to be constantly communicating what you achieved today, what you can achieve tomorrow and what you need to achieve in the future."

Grant King, managing director of Origin Energy, will address the next QUT Business Leaders' Forum on 7 May, 2013, at the Hilton Brisbane.

Tickets are available for sale online from the QUT Business School.

Download high-resolution photograph of Ms Clark at the QUT Business Leaders' Forum on flickr.

Media contact:
Kate Haggman, QUT Media, 07 3138 0358 kate.haggman@qut.edu.au