Thanks, Shemara, for the introduction.

And thanks to Macquarie Group for the invitation to say a few words today. – 

It’s been a great week of recognition for Australia here at the UN.

On Monday I was invited to open Climate Group’s Climate Week NYC 2026 program – in acknowledgement of Australia’s leadership in renewable energy and our work with our Pacific partners, drawing attention to their vulnerability to climate change.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Today it's been a very good day in New York. This afternoon, I, together with the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, the Prime Minister of Kenya, the Prime Minister of Spain, we launched the Coalition for Children's Rights and Protection in the Age of Artificial Intelligence. And this is just one of the aspects that the world now is debating. There's recognition that a year ago, when we came to New York following our legislation in 2024, we were leading the world, and indeed now more than 20 nations have joined in.

Coalition for Children's rights and protections in the age of AI
United Nations
New York

Colleagues,

Australia is an acknowledged first mover and world leader in digital safety.

Our journey to creating a safer digital world started in 2024 with the world’s first social media ban for children – now adopted by some 20 countries.

Colleagues, Australia has always been one of the world’s strongest supporters of the United Nations. 

Our position on its future and the future of global relations is clear – global challenges cannot be solved by countries acting alone. 

Especially right now, when we are facing one of the toughest periods in modern history. 

The war in the Middle East, an ongoing land war in Europe, the global inflation crisis, the fuel crisis and the rise of AI are incredibly serious challenges.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Artificial intelligence has the potential to improve lives, to strengthen our economy and productivity, and to massively advance science and medical breakthroughs. But humans need to be in control of it. If it’s going to be successful, then we need to make sure that humans are at the centre of everything that occurs.

The President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen and the Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese met on 21 September in the margins of the United Nations General Assembly.

Presidents Costa and von der Leyen and Prime Minister Albanese reviewed the progress made in deepening cooperation across many fields since President von der Leyen’s visit to Australia in March 2026: 

Thank you for the invitation to officially open Climate Group’s Climate Week NYC 2026.

It’s great to be here with so many champions of climate action.

Your CEO – Helen Clarkson.

Your Chair – my friend Mike Rann.

And of course, Ed Milliband.

Last year my Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, addressed this gathering with a message of hope about the vast global move towards renewables now underway.

Climate Group and Australia have a long and strong relationship, going back to the organisation’s early days.

At a time of global uncertainty and major challenges, Australia is an untiring advocate for peace and security. We understand that this is best achieved through international cooperation, which is why we are launching our campaign for a seat on the United Nations Security Council, to serve a two-year term from 2029 to 2030.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: I'm very proud today to be launching Australia’s campaign for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for 2029 and 2030. Australia is the best country on earth, and I firmly believe that our best days are ahead of us. And we have an opportunity through this potential seat on the UN Security Council to play a key role in shaping the global issues that really matter to Australians. We’ve been reminded in recent times of how important the interconnectedness in today’s globalised world is.

DAVID SPEERS, HOST: Prime Minister, thanks for talking to us here in Silicon Valley.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good to be with you and what a fantastic venue to be at.