New York: During his first term, Anthony Albanese faced criticism from the Coalition for his frequent international travel. They accused him of indulging in luxury, overlooking the rigorous demands of international diplomacy. Despite the attacks, Albanese’s travel schedule mirrored that of his predecessors. Notably, he avoided the United Nations General Assembly in New York during his initial three years as Prime Minister, prioritizing regional summits like the Pacific Islands Forum and ASEAN instead. However, after securing a resounding re-election victory in May, Albanese chose to make his debut at the UN headquarters in Manhattan.
This trip had two seemingly contradictory objectives: to enhance Australia’s global presence at the UN and to strengthen ties with Donald Trump’s conservative administration. On both fronts, Albanese achieved success. His visit coincided with speculation about a potential meeting with Trump, which had been postponed in June due to Trump attending to the Israel-Iran conflict. Despite media frenzy over the timing of their meeting, Albanese remained unfazed, stating, “We’ll meet when we meet.”
Behind the scenes, Australian diplomats were diligently working to arrange the meeting. Experts expressed concern over the delay in face-to-face engagement between the two leaders. Michael Fullilove, executive director of the Lowy Institute, noted the unusual gap since Trump’s election, emphasizing the need to strengthen the US-Australia relationship.
Albanese’s UN Agenda and Middle Power Ambitions
Albanese approached his UN engagements with confidence, undeterred by recent setbacks in regional security deals. His agenda was ambitious, addressing critical global issues such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, climate change, and social media regulation for children. Despite a packed schedule, Albanese found moments of respite, enjoying a stroll in Central Park and visiting Old Mates, an Australian pub in Manhattan.
Lavina Lee, director of the foreign policy and defense program at the United States Studies Centre, challenged the notion of Australia as a mere middle power, advocating for a more assertive global role. Albanese echoed this sentiment, positioning Australia as a middle power determined to shape the global agenda. In his address to the UN General Assembly, he promoted Australia’s bid for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for 2029-2030, a move to elevate Australia’s geopolitical influence.
“The United Nations is much more than an arena for great powers to veto each other’s ambitions,” Albanese declared. “This is a platform for middle powers and small nations to voice – and achieve – our aspirations.”
Australia’s recognition of Palestine, formalized during the trip, highlighted the philosophical divide between Albanese’s government and Trump’s MAGA strategy. While Trump’s administration criticized the recognition, Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong viewed it as a necessary step to align with global allies like France, Canada, and the UK in addressing post-war Gaza.
Climate Change and Social Media Regulation
The contrast between Albanese and Trump was stark on climate change. Trump dismissed human-induced climate change as a “con job,” while Albanese presented a new emissions reduction target, reinforcing Australia’s commitment to addressing climate change. In an interview with The New York Times Magazine, Albanese expressed concern over rising nationalism, implicitly critiquing the Trump administration’s stance.
Albanese’s government aims to host the next UN climate change conference, seeking to resolve a hosting dispute with Turkey. Although a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan didn’t materialize, Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen engaged with Erdogan’s wife, a key environmental advocate, to advance negotiations.
One of the most impactful moments of the week was a breakfast hosted by Australia at UN headquarters, highlighting Australia’s pioneering ban on social media accounts for children under 16. Bathurst mother Emma Mason delivered a poignant speech, sharing her daughter Tilly’s tragic story of cyberbullying-induced suicide, which moved attendees and garnered a standing ovation.
“After Tilly died, I knew I needed to do something to protect the other Tillies,” Mason implored. “I implore leaders and nations of our great world to act, and act now.”
European and Pacific nations are likely to follow Australia’s lead in regulating social media, a testament to Australia’s influence as a middle power. However, Trump opposes such regulations, viewing them as attacks on American tech companies.
The Trump Meeting and Future Prospects
Despite the differences, the White House announced that Trump invited Albanese to an official meeting on October 20. This revelation quelled speculation about their meeting, which had been in the works since June. Albanese and Trump finally met at a cocktail event, with Albanese sharing a selfie of the encounter on social media.
As Albanese wrapped up his trip, pouring beers for Australians at Old Mates, he appeared content. He had successfully navigated his first UN address and secured a meeting with Trump without compromising his progressive values. The challenges of engaging with Trump at the White House could wait for another day.
