Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is preparing to meet the French president on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly as he defends Australia's stance on Palestinian recognition.

Mr Albanese and Emmanuel Macron will sit down in New York on Tuesday (AEST) for their third official meeting, where the conflict in the Middle East is likely to be on the agenda.

Ahead of the meeting, the prime minister addressed a summit of world leaders gathered to discuss the next steps to end the war between Israel and Hamas, and an eventual two-state solution.

[Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong] Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong observed proceedings from the UN floor. (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)

The talks were being co-chaired by Mr Macron and Saudi Arabia's Crown Pri

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