Anthony Albanese has pushed back on isolationism and issued a veiled criticism of Donald Trump’s rejection of climate science, warning the United Nations that leaders who walk away from big challenges risk being trusted by no one.

In a major speech to the UN general assembly in New York on Thursday, Australian time, the prime minister called for countries to recommit to international cooperation, to end wars and save the planet from dangerous climate change.

Albanese also resurrected a bid for Australia to win a temporary seat on the UN security council and called for the organisation to undergo sweeping reforms.

“If we resign ourselves to the idea that war is inevitable, or relegate ourselves to the status of disinterested bystanders, if our only response to every crisis is to insist that there is nothing we can do, then we risk being trusted with nothing,” Albanese told the chamber.

“If we allow any nation to imagine itself outside the rules, or above them, then the sovereignty of every nation is eroded.”

The speech, the first time Albanese has delivered Australia’s national address to the general assembly, came hours after he called on China to do more to bring down its emissions.

President Xi Jinping used a video message to the UN on Thursday to say China would reduce emissions across its economy by 7-10% by 2035, while “striving to do better”. It is the first time Beijing has committed to an absolute target to cut its emissions.

Albanese told a climate conference hosted by the New York Times that China could do more, including closing coal-fired power stations, though he acknowledged China had beaten previous commitments.

He credited US leadership with the creation of the international rules-based order, a system which he said had delivered generational economic transformation.

“But we cannot ask – and should not expect – any one nation to uphold the rules or guarantee the security on which all of us depend,” Albanese said.

“We all have a role to play in making sure that the system which has enabled the rise of new powers, safeguards the rights and aspirations of every nation big and small.”

The prime minister said Australia would seek a temporary seat on the UN security council in 2029-30, a bid first launched by the Turnbull government in 2015. If successful, it would be the first time since 2013-2014 Australia has sat on the council.

In a rebuttal of Trump, Albanese called climate change an existential threat for low-lying Pacific countries. Trump told the general assembly this week that climate change was “the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world”.

Albanese said the federal government was on track to meet its 2030 target of 43% emissions reduction on 2005 levels and called the 2035 target of 62% to 70% ambitious and achievable.

“Clean energy can carry the world beyond the false choice between economic growth and environmental responsibility.

“Because clean energy enables the rapidly growing economies of the Indo-Pacific to industrialise and decarbonise at the same time.”

But dozens of Australian scientists, including some of the country’s top climate researchers, wrote to Albanese this week expressing dismay at the target and imploring the government “to go further”.

Albanese wrapped up a week of meetings at the UN with the set piece speech, telling countries Australia was doing the right thing by recognising Palestinian statehood.

He joined the leaders of France, Canada and the UK in calling Palestine a sovereign and independent country in New York this week.

Albanese quoted the UN charter and said succeeding generations should be saved from the scourge of war and be allowed to live with tolerance and peace.

After New York, Albanese is due to fly to London for meetings with UK prime minister, Keir Starmer, before heading to the United Arab Emirates next week.