Speaking to the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, Prime Minister Andy Burnham marked his first major diplomatic appearance since taking office in Downing Street, delivering a 20‑minute address that covered Russia’s information campaign, the future of artificial intelligence and a new UK‑US security arrangement.
Burnham accused Russian agencies of spending £1.3 billion a year to manipulate information, describing a campaign that uses bots, fake websites, falsified newspaper articles and forged branding of 28 British organisations, including universities and the BBC. He claimed to have evidence that Russia attempted to interfere in the 2019 UK general election and announced the creation of a National Centre for Information Defence, which will work alongside intelligence services, police and social‑media platforms to counter such activity.
On the technology front, the prime minister said the United Kingdom intends to lead the development of international rules governing “Frontier AI”, calling it “one of the most significant challenges and opportunities of our age”. He highlighted the AI Security Institute established under the previous government and pledged to place AI at the centre of the UK’s G20 presidency in Manchester next year, while urging the adoption of global principles for transparency and safety.
Burnham also revealed a new AI‑defence partnership with the United States aimed at protecting critical national infrastructure. The announcement came after a face‑to‑face meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the UN, which both leaders described as “excellent” and a sign that they “can do business together”.
In addition to the security themes, Burnham signalled a forthcoming decade‑long domestic plan focused on employment and cost‑of‑living relief, and reiterated support for a two‑state solution to the Israeli‑Palestinian conflict, urging that “the hope of a peaceful, side‑by‑side future stay alive”.