Former prime minister Kevin Rudd has met UN chief Ban Ki-moon in New York.
Mr Rudd is in the US this week for the Australian American Leadership Dialogue, which regularly brings together leaders from the two countries for talks.
A statement from Mr Rudd's office said it was a "courtesy call" because Mr Ban had called him recently.
Mr Rudd is due to meet Tony Lake, the executive director of UNICEF, in the next few days, before flying back to Australia on the weekend.
Earlier this week Mr Rudd, who was deposed as prime minister three weeks ago and now sits on the backbench, chaired the session on international security at the Leadership Dialogue in Washington.
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There is some speculation in diplomatic circles that Mr Rudd, a former diplomat who ran an active international agenda as prime minister, may quit politics and pursue a career in international affairs.
However, he has said he intends to recontest his seat at the upcoming election.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard says she will offer him a senior frontbench role if Labor wins and foreign minister may be a possibility.
