Australia's prime minister calls for stronger international action on Palestine and Iran at UN

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called for stronger international action on Palestine, Iran and the risks posed by artificial intelligence (AI), warning the UN General Assembly that the multilateral system was under growing strain.

Addressing the assembly in New York on Thursday, Albanese said Australia would continue to oppose illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank while rejecting any future role for Hamas in Palestine.

“We will continue to speak out against actions that damage that prospect of peace, including illegal settlements in the West Bank,” he said, adding that Canberra would also “continue to oppose any role for the terrorists of Hamas in Palestine’s future.”

Turning to Iran, Albanese said the conflict had taken “a severe toll on the Middle East” and caused a “devastating impact on the global economy.”

Australia, he said, was calling for a ceasefire, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and restoration of freedom of navigation and trade. He also urged Iran to halt “indiscriminate attacks” across the region and abandon any effort to obtain nuclear weapons.

Albanese devoted part of his address to artificial intelligence, saying the technology could transform health care, productivity and economic growth but posed significant risks without safeguards.

“We can’t ignore AI or prevent it,” he said, arguing that governments must “shape artificial intelligence development, rather than be passively shaped by it.”

He said an AI agent had recently infiltrated an Australian government website, calling the incident “unacceptable,” and cited Australian efforts to establish standards governing the technology.

Albanese also called for UN reform, stronger representation for small and middle powers and greater international action on climate change.

“Australia stands for a safer world, where no country dominates and no country is dominated,” he said, pledging to elevate Pacific nations’ voices on climate change, development and security.