Anthony Albanese will place cyber safety, artificial intelligence and online threats at the centre of Australia’s campaign for a seat on the United Nations Security Council.
The Australian prime minister will travel to New York on Friday to formally launch the bid for a two-year term in 2029 and 2030, arguing that rapidly developing digital threats will increasingly affect international peace and security.
Australia and Finland are currently uncontested for the two positions allocated to the Western Europe and Others Group, but the successful candidates will still need the support of two-thirds of the UN General Assembly.
Mr Albanese is expected to promote Australia’s record on digital safety during the campaign, alongside its commitment to multilateralism, climate action and support for Pacific neighbours.
He will co-lead high-level discussions on technology safety during the UN General Assembly and advocate international cooperation to build what the Australian government describes as a safe digital future.
Albanese to discuss online safety with Apple chairman
During his visit to the United States, Mr Albanese will travel to Apple’s headquarters in California to meet the company’s executive chairman, Tim Cook.
The pair are expected to discuss new parental controls for children, partly inspired by Australia’s social media reforms.
Australia is also preparing a wider push on artificial intelligence. Public consultation on national AI standards will open on Friday, covering data centres, energy and water use, as well as safety and transparency. The government is considering tougher rules for AI infrastructure and possible restrictions on recording smart glasses in Commonwealth workplaces.
Mr Albanese said Australia needed to secure the economic and national security benefits of artificial intelligence while protecting its national interests.
“Now to do that, we have to be engaged with our friends in the United States, because the two big countries that are engaged, of course, are the United States and China in what is this extraordinary emerging technology that will change the way that society functions over our lifetime, but over the next decade,” he said.
Security agreement expected with Ukraine
The prime minister is also due to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the United Nations, where the two leaders are expected to announce a bilateral security agreement.
Mr Albanese will deliver Australia’s National Statement during the assembly’s high-level week, with fuel costs, climate change and conflict among the issues he will address.
He will point to Australia’s previous term as a temporary member of the Security Council, including its role in the international response to the MH17 disaster, as evidence that middle powers can influence decisions at the highest diplomatic level.
“Australia’s prosperity and security depend on a strong global system, where nations work together, agreed rules are respected, and cooperation delivers shared benefits,” Mr Albanese said.
“Australia is working to prevent online harm, particularly for our children, and I am proud that Australia is setting the world standard for digital safety.”
Foreign Minister Penny Wong will accompany Mr Albanese in New York and promote Australia’s efforts to build coalitions protecting aid workers and to reinforce the international rules on which the country says its security and prosperity rely.
Mr Albanese will also receive an Atlantic Council Global Citizen Award at a dinner during UN General Assembly week on September 23. Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Formula One president and chief executive Stefano Domenicali, and Wicked star Cynthia Erivo are also due to receive awards.
