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New York: Australia will state its case for a seat at the world’s most powerful diplomatic table, with Anthony Albanese pitching the country as a middle power capable of helping write the rules for artificial intelligence as the US and China race for technological dominance.
The prime minister will formally launch Australia’s campaign for a two-year term on the United Nations Security Council in New York on Sunday (local time), using the bid to argue that smaller and middle-sized nations must have a greater say over the global response to AI, wars and rising geopolitical tensions.
Albanese also urged Washington and Beijing to help strike a global agreement on artificial intelligence akin to a nuclear non-proliferation treaty at the weekend, saying nations need international rules to ensure humans “remain in control” amid doomsday predictions.
His call came as US President Donald Trump doubled down on the race for AI supremacy, declaring the United States must maintain its lead over China and announcing an “AI force” to guard against the technology’s “decimation or destruction”.
“We are leading China, and the rest of the World, and I intend to keep it that way!” Trump wrote on social media, adding he would not “hinder or stifle” growth in the industry.
Albanese told ABC’s Insiders he hoped there would be progress when Trump met Chinese President Xi Jinping at the White House this week amid potential doomsday offerings in recent weeks from industry insiders.
He said that middle powers could help bridge the gap between the major powers competing for technological and strategic advantage.
“The truth is, they’re the big two giants here,” he said. “We want to see co-operation. We’ve seen that in the past with new technologies, even on nuclear weapons, for example. I think middle powers, such as Australia, have a role to play here as well.”
Albanese will argue that a seat on the UN Security Council would give Australia greater influence over conflicts including Ukraine and the Middle East, while allowing it to push issues including AI, climate security, ocean protection and international law up the global agenda.
“The hopes of Australians are the hopes of people everywhere – to live in peace and to build a better future,” Albanese said.
“Australia played a pivotal role in the founding of the United Nations – because we have always understood how important it is for small and mid-sized nations to have their voices heard on the challenges facing our world.”
Australia will point to its previous Security Council term in 2013 and 2014, when it worked on issues including accountability for the downing of MH17, humanitarian access, women, peace and security, and international peacebuilding. It has had a seat on the council five times, including holding the first Security Council presidency in 1946, and two-year terms in the 1950s, 1970s and the 1980s.
The Security Council has 15 members, including five permanent members – the US, Britain, China, Russia and France – and 10 non-permanent members elected for overlapping two-year terms.
Australia and Finland are so far uncontested for the two positions but still must secure two-thirds of members present and voting in the secret ballot. If all 193 countries vote, it would require at least 128 votes.
The campaign will be built around the slogan “We listen. We partner. We protect.” A kangaroo features in the campaign logo and promotional material. Australia is seeking a seat for 2029 and 2030, with members to vote in June 2028.
A campaign brochure also highlights Australia’s record in UN peacekeeping, saying more than 65,000 Australian personnel have served in more than 60 UN and multilateral peace and security operations since 1947.
Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong said Australia had a practical role to play as an “active and ambitious middle power”.
“A safer world is one governed by rules, not power and force alone,” Wong said.
“Australia’s focus on the UN Security Council will be conflict prevention, the protection of civilians and defending the rules that protect us all.”
The government will also use Australia’s relationships in the Pacific and its role in climate negotiations to argue it can amplify the concerns of smaller nations, alongside its campaign on climate and ocean security. The campaign will also call for reform of the UN and uphold the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Albanese raised the need for international AI rules during his visit to California, where he met Apple executive chairman Tim Cook and the global technology giant’s executive team.
“Australia’s national interests are served by us engaging, by us recognising that there are risks which need to be mitigated,” he said. “That is something that we will continue to pursue, and something that is common.”
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Rob Harris is the national correspondent for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age based in Canberra. He is a former Europe correspondent.Connect via email.From our partners
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