Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has used his first speech to the United Nations General Assembly to stake Australia’s claim as a voice for stability, inclusion, and accountability at a time of global upheaval. Addressing the 80th session in New York, he spoke on the value of women’s empowerment, condemned rising antisemitism linked to Iranian-backed attacks, and called for middle powers to shape a reformed multilateral order. His remarks, delivered against a backdrop of international conflict and political distrust, combined domestic values with a bid for greater international influence.
Women’s Rights and Indigenous Recognition
Albanese began by championing women’s rights, positioning Australia as both historically progressive and forward-looking. He cited Jessie Street, the Australian diplomat who pushed for the UN Charter to include explicit references to sexual discrimination in 1945, reminding the assembly that societies prosper when women and girls are fully included.
“Societies and economies are stronger when they draw on the talents of all of their citizens,” he said. “That is why Australia proudly works to promote education, economic opportunity and empowerment for women and girls around the world.”
In a related message, Albanese underscored Australia’s commitment to Indigenous peoples. He highlighted the resilience of the world’s oldest continuous culture, acknowledging the importance of Indigenous knowledge globally while tying it to Australia’s multicultural identity. This was a clear attempt to project inclusivity, at a time when Indigenous recognition and reconciliation remain major domestic debates.
Confronting Antisemitism and Iran’s Influence
Turning to security threats, Albanese issued a blunt warning about antisemitism, linking it directly to foreign-backed violence on Australian soil. He revealed that security agencies had confirmed Iranian involvement in the recent firebombing of a Melbourne synagogue and a Jewish restaurant in Sydney.
“These criminal acts of cowardice aimed at spreading fear were orchestrated by the Iranian regime,” he said. “We expelled the Iranian Ambassador from Australia, the first time since the Second World War that our country has taken such a step.”
His message was unequivocal: antisemitism has no place in Australia or the world. Albanese tied this stance to his broader philosophy of values-based engagement. While acknowledging that Australia does not seek to impose its beliefs abroad, he insisted that its foreign policy must reflect the principles Australians live by.
Middle Powers and Security Council Ambitions
Albanese shifted focus to the state of global governance, reviving Australia’s bid for a seat on the UN Security Council. He argued that middle powers, including Australia, have a duty to stabilise an increasingly chaotic world order where the UN’s credibility is under strain.
“The impotence of the UN in the Middle East shows the institution badly needs reform,” he said, describing a fractured global system unable to manage conflict or enforce international law. His remarks aligned with a broader Australian strategy: building coalitions with like-minded democracies to counterbalance both great power rivalry and institutional paralysis.
Australia’s past stints on the Security Council (1985–86, 2013–14) provided leverage for this push. Albanese’s government is seeking to reassert influence at a time when the Indo-Pacific faces escalating geopolitical competition, particularly between China and the United States.
Climate Leadership and Emissions Targets
Climate change also featured prominently in Albanese’s address. He presented Australia’s 2035 emissions reduction target, framing it as both a domestic responsibility and an international contribution to collective security. Climate diplomacy has become a pillar of the government’s foreign policy, with Foreign Minister Penny Wong frequently emphasising the existential risks to Pacific nations.
The prime minister used the UN stage to reaffirm that commitment, highlighting cooperation with small island states and advocating for more ambitious global action. His government hopes this will reinforce Australia’s credibility after years of criticism over climate inaction.
Australia’s Strategic Balancing Act
Albanese’s speech reflected a broader balancing act: reassuring allies of Australia’s reliability while projecting independence through middle-power diplomacy. His condemnation of Iran, advocacy for women, and recognition of Indigenous cultures were deeply rooted in national values. At the same time, his calls for reforming the UN and pushing for middle-power leadership underscored a pragmatic recognition that traditional global governance is faltering.
Domestically, the speech also served to show Australian voters that their government is assertive on the world stage. Expelling an ambassador, standing against antisemitism, and aligning with democratic coalitions reinforce a message of security and principle. The references to Jessie Street and Indigenous recognition, meanwhile, highlighted social progress as a form of international credibility.
A Speech Framed by Global Turmoil
The timing of the address magnified its significance. The Middle East remains unstable, Russia’s war in Ukraine has unsettled Europe, and climate disasters are intensifying across continents. Simultaneously, the credibility of multilateral institutions like the UN is under severe strain. Against this backdrop, Albanese’s appeal for middle powers to step up reflects both necessity and opportunity.
Critics will question whether Australia has the resources or diplomatic weight to lead reform. But Albanese’s message was not about unilateral leadership; it was about coalition-building. By aligning with other mid-sized democracies, Australia hopes to amplify its influence without overreaching.
A Test of Follow-Through
The effectiveness of Albanese’s vision will depend on sustained action. Securing another Security Council term requires intensive lobbying, climate leadership demands credible domestic implementation, and expelling the Iranian ambassador will have long-term diplomatic consequences. Moreover, balancing values-driven foreign policy with pragmatic trade and security interests remains one of the government’s hardest tasks.
What is clear is that Albanese has set out a framework that blends domestic identity with global ambition. His emphasis on women, Indigenous peoples, and antisemitism shows how values shape his foreign policy. His push for middle powers to rise reflects both Australia’s limitations and its opportunities.
As he left the UN podium, Albanese positioned Australia not as a bystander but as an active shaper of the global conversation—one that insists on dignity, fairness, and accountability, even in a fractured world.
