World leaders gathered in New York this week for the United Nations' annual summit. The second day of the event featured notable speeches and announcements from various leaders, including Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

In his first address to the UN, Albanese's speech was largely conventional. He discussed Australia's emissions reduction goals but did not address former President Donald Trump's controversial remarks about climate change. Albanese reiterated Australia's support for Ukraine and Gaza but avoided mentioning Israel or the recent UN inquiry's findings regarding genocide. He also announced Australia's bid for a seat on the UN Security Council for the 2029-2030 term, a campaign initially launched by former Foreign Minister Julie Bishop in 2015. Albanese emphasized the importance of the UN as a platform for middle powers and small nations, stating, "The United Nations is much more than an arena for the great powers to veto each other's ambitions."

China's President Xi Jinping, who did not attend the summit in person, delivered a significant message via video link. He announced that China aims to cut its emissions by 7 to 10 percent by 2035, marking a shift in the country's climate policy. This commitment is particularly noteworthy as China is currently the world's largest carbon emitter, contrasting sharply with the U.S. approach under Trump, which favors fossil fuel revival.

Zelenskyy raised alarms about Russia's military capabilities, particularly in artificial intelligence and drone technology. He warned that the world is witnessing an unprecedented arms race, stating, "We are now living through the most destructive arms race in human history." He urged global leaders to act decisively against Russia, arguing that preventing further aggression is more cost-effective than responding to future attacks. Zelenskyy also highlighted Russia's political interference in former Soviet states, including Moldova, which is facing election-related threats.

In a historic moment, Syria's Ahmed al-Sharaa addressed the UN General Assembly for the first time since 1967. Al-Sharaa, a controversial figure previously associated with Al-Qaeda, called for an end to the negative perceptions of Syria. He urged the international community to lift sanctions, claiming, "Syria has transformed from an exporter of crisis to an opportunity for peace for Syria and the region."

Albanese also brought attention to Australia's new social media regulations during the summit. Emma Mason, a mother from New South Wales, received a standing ovation for her emotional speech about her daughter Tilly, who died by suicide after being bullied online. Mason urged world leaders to support efforts to change the narrative around online bullying, saying, "I ask you to hold my Tilly and all the lost children in your hearts and do what you can to change the narrative across our world, for Tilly's sake." European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed her admiration for Australia's initiative, noting that many European nations are considering similar laws.