Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in San Francisco during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders meeting, where US President Joe Biden and Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leader Xi Jinping were also present. During their talks, Mr. Albanese expressed his concern about Australia’s upcoming summer bushfire season. In response, the office of the Canadian prime minister confirmed that the leaders discussed collaborating on climate change in the aftermath of the wildfires in both countries.
During the discussion, Mr. Albanese drew a link between recent bushfires in Canada and climate change, stating that Australians were worried about the upcoming summer. He emphasized that the nation is facing conditions similar to those before the devastating 2019-20 bushfire season. The leaders also addressed the global transition to clean energy and cooperation in the Asia-Pacific, Middle East conflict, and support for Ukraine.
Mr. Albanese also met with California Governor Gavin Newsom to discuss climate change collaboration between Australia and California. They discussed the cooperation on clean transportation, green finance, and investment under the Memorandum of Understanding. The group also discussed priorities for the first year of the partnership.
The Australian Prime Minister’s meeting with Mr. Newsom also covered the sister city relationship between Sydney and San Francisco. This partnership has grown with the memorandum of understanding and the ambitious Climate, Critical Minerals and Clean Energy Transition Compact agreed upon with President Biden earlier this year. Both leaders also expressed support for Ukraine and Israel’s right to defend itself in accordance with international law, while expressing deep concern about the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza.