"It's ok if you fall asleep": Biden greets new Australian Prime Minister in a special way

Created: 05/25/2022, 08:55

By: Janine Napirca

At an informal summit meeting, US President Biden welcomes the newly elected Australian Prime Minister Albanese with a smile.

Tokyo – The heads of state and government of the USA, Australia, Japan and India met at this year's Quad Summit in Japan on Tuesday (May 24).

The security and military policy-oriented alliance wants to ensure a "free and open Indo-Pacific".

Joining the party for the first time is Indian Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi, US President Joe Biden and the Prime Minister of Japan

Fumio Kishida – newly elected Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

US President Biden and Australian Prime Minister Albanese together at the Quad Summit

Anthony Albanese won Australia's general election on Saturday.

On Monday the now acting Prime Minister of Australia was sworn in and then it was straight on to the Quad Summit in Japan.

"It's really quite extraordinary that you just got here from the campaign trail.

I congratulate you on winning the election.

We really appreciate that you're here so soon after taking office," Biden Albanese said.

Joe Biden (middle) welcomes the newly sworn Australian Prime Minister Anthony (l.) Albanese in a somewhat unusual way.

© ZUMA Wire/Imago

Biden greets Australia's new PM in a special way: 'It's okay if you fall asleep'

Biden welcomes Australia's new prime minister to his first quad summit and says he's impressed with his schedule: "You've been sworn in, you've gotten on a plane - if you fall asleep while you're here, that's ok," he quipped American President with a smile on his face.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese presents his climate policy at the Quad Summit in Japan

One topic in particular dominated Australia's election campaign: the fear of China (all information about China at a glance).

"As the Indo-Pacific is reshaped, our foursome is needed more than ever to meet the challenges and threats of an uncertain world, shape that world for the better, and build a stronger and more collaborative Indo-Pacific region that respects sovereignty," Albanese said at the Quad Summit in Japan.

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We will act in the knowledge that climate change is the greatest economic and security challenge facing the Pacific island nations.

Anthony Albanese, Prime Minister of Australia

However, he also wants to work particularly hard for the climate: “My government will take ambitious measures to combat climate change and increase our support for partners in the region who are trying to tackle the problem, including with new funding.

We will act in the knowledge that climate change is the greatest economic and security challenge facing the Pacific island nations.

Under my administration, Australia will set a new target to cut emissions by 43 percent by 2030, putting us on track to be zero emissions by 2050,” Albanese said.