Australia has made a surprise pledge of 200 million Australian dollars ($165 million) to a key UN climate fund, the Associated Press reports.

Expectations of an Australian contribution to the Green Climate Fund were low after Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said last week that Australia will continue to help developing countries cope with climate change through its own aid program.

But in Lima on Tuesday, Dec 9, Bishop announced that Australia would provide money to the fund as part of its "commitment to play our part in the global response to climate change." The fund has now received pledges of more than $10 billion.

Bishop said Australia is already making major contributions to address the effects of climate change, including through national direct action and international engagement, including its aid program.