Burnham to Press Global AI Cooperation Through UK G20 Presidency

Prime Minister Andy Burnham travelled to New York on September 22, 2026, to attend the UN General Assembly and hold his first meeting with US President Donald Trump, with Downing Street saying he would use the visit to drive forward global work on artificial intelligence and press for closer international cooperation on the technology.

In a press release published on September 22, 2026, the Prime Minister’s Office said AI, the conflict in Ukraine and security in the Middle East were expected to dominate Burnham’s meetings over the following 24 hours as world leaders converged on the city. Burnham was expected to use the visit to drive forward global work on AI, both to ensure the technology is used as a force for good and to maximise opportunities to use it to deliver safety and security for people at home, according to the release.

Speech to Focus on Harnessing AI for Good

Burnham’s speech to the UN General Assembly on the evening of September 22, 2026, was expected to focus on AI, making the case for the international community to harness the technology for good to drive down the cost of living and support a more stable and secure world.

In his statement, Burnham drew a parallel with the UK’s convening role in an earlier global crisis. “When the global financial crisis hit, the UK brought together the world’s leading economies,” he said. “As we confront the opportunities and challenges posed by artificial intelligence, we will show that same leadership, ensuring rapidly changing technology is harnessed for good to make our countries safer and stronger.”

Burnham said he would use the week to make the case for closer international cooperation on AI, a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, and renewed efforts to bring an end to the conflict in the Middle East. Alongside the Trump meeting, he was expected to meet a series of world leaders on issues including closer relations with the EU and support for Ukraine through the coming winter, and to co-host a high-level event on the two-state solution in Israel and Palestine with President Macron, Prime Minister Carney, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan and the UN Secretary-General. He will also host US business leaders for breakfast to discuss how his government is making it easier to invest, raise capital, hire talented people and grow.

Manchester Confirmed for G20 Leaders’ Summit

Burnham was also expected to tell leaders that the UK will continue its drive to tackle major global challenges, such as AI, through the UK’s hosting of the G20 in 2027. He confirmed that the flagship Leaders’ Summit will be held in Manchester in November 2027, convening the major global economic players to deliver on shared goals, drive global growth and address the most acute global challenges.

Manchester was chosen earlier in 2026 after months of scoping potential host cities, with the release citing the city’s cultural heritage. Preparations will step up in autumn 2026, with hundreds of local people expected to be involved in the summit, from showcases to security. Beyond the Manchester gathering, locations across the UK will host events throughout the year, bringing the G20 to nations and regions across the country and ensuring the summit and the year-long presidency benefit people across the UK, the release said. The UK will take over the G20 presidency from the US following the G20 Summit in Miami in December 2026.

UK-US AI and Autonomy Partnership

Burnham was also set to announce the launch of work between the UK and the US on a new AI and Autonomy partnership, framed in the release as part of using AI responsibly to support people at home. The collaboration is intended to help the UK protect critical national infrastructure, from sea lanes to air space, enabling the detection of threats and the deterrence of adversaries using the latest AI technology developed on both sides of the Atlantic.

The partnership will see the UK Ministry of Defence’s Rapid AI Delivery Taskforce and the US Department of War’s Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office work together on artificial intelligence and autonomy, accelerating the delivery of trusted, interoperable capabilities that enhance deterrence and both countries’ technological edge, according to the release. It builds on next-generation technology already being developed through AUKUS, the US-UK-Australia partnership producing attack submarines and undersea autonomous capabilities.

Under the AUKUS programme, the UK and US conducted a live firing of a heavyweight torpedo, jointly developed by the US and Australia and designed to sink ships and deep-diving submarines, launched from a 12-metre-long Plymouth-made undersea drone named Excalibur. The firing took place in UK waters in the week before the announcement and, according to the release, was the first time either country had launched a torpedo from an uncrewed undersea vessel rather than a crewed submarine. Downing Street described the firing as a major advance in the future of submarine technology for the UK, US and Australia, and a significant breakthrough for Euro-Atlantic security and NATO’s undersea advantage.