President Joe Biden addressed the United Nations General Assembly in New York, marking his final speech to this gathering of world leaders as president.
With a significant escalation in the ongoing and deadly crisis in the Middle East, Biden aimed to enhance both his own legacy and the United States’ leadership on the global stage. He began his speech by reflecting on the conflicts that have plagued the world since he entered public office over 50 years ago, including the Vietnam War.
Referencing the reconciliation between the US and Vietnam, Biden said: “Things can get better. We should never forget that. I’ve seen that throughout my career.”
Among other experiences in his long career, it was that particular experience that gave Biden confidence that the world would be able to navigate through another challenging period with various crises unfolding.
He later added: “As leaders, we don’t have the luxury” to “react with despair” at the world’s difficulties.
“Maybe because all I’ve seen and all were have done together over the decades, I have hope,” Biden said. “I know there is a way forward.”
Biden promised to support Ukraine until they win the war against Russia.
Since the war began more than two years ago, Biden said, “our NATO allies and partners and 50 plus nations stood up” against Russia.
“Most importantly, the Ukrainian people stood up. I asked the people in this chamber to stand up for them,” Biden said.
“The good news is, Putin’s war has failed, and as has his core aim,” Biden added. “He set out to destroy Ukraine, but Ukraine is still free. He set out to weaken NATO, but NATO is bigger, stronger, more united than ever before, with two new members, Finland and Sweden.”
“But we cannot let up,” the president added – a reference to the unclear outlook for assistance to Ukarine in the US as former President Donald Trump is running fir re-election and might reduce aid to Ukraine.
He expressed sorrow over the loss of life and suffering experienced by innocent civilians on both sides of the Israel-Gaza conflict during his speech at the UN General Assembly.
Biden mentioned the large number of civilians who lost their lives in the Hamas attack on Israel 11 months ago and the many who were captured.
“I’ve met with the families of those hostages. I’ve grieved with them,” Biden said. “They’re going through hell.”
He added: “Innocent civilians in Gaza are also going through hell. Thousands and thousands killed, including aid workers. Too many families dislocated, crowding in the tents, facing a dire humanitarian situation.”
On the failing ceasefire deal, Biden said: “Now is the time for the parties to finalise its terms, bring the hostages home and secure security for Israel and Gaza free of Hamas scrip, ease the suffering in Gaza and end this war.”
The President of the United States highlighted his administration’s initiatives to address climate change, eradicate global hunger, and leverage technology’s potential in his speech at the UN General Assembly.
After mentioning his administration’s actions to combat climate change and deliver essential vaccines to Africa, Biden discussed the advantages and obstacles associated with technology, including artificial intelligence.
“We’ll also have a responsibility to prepare our citizens for the future,” Biden said. “We’ll see more technological change, I argue, in the next two to 10 years, we have in the last 50 years.”
“Artificial intelligence is going to change our ways of life, our ways of work, our ways of war,” Biden said. He added that much of it “could make our lives better.”
“But AI also brings profound risks, from deep fakes to disinformation to novel pathogens to bioweapons,” he added.
“What we need to do to manage this new technology,” he said. “Nothing is certain about how AI will evolve or how it will be deployed.”
In conclusion, Biden informed the UN General Assembly that “some things are more important than staying in power,” emphasising the importance of democracy once again to the assembly of global leaders.
As he concluded his last address to the UNGA, Biden alluded to his choice to end his bid for reelection earlier this summer.
“Being president has been the honour of my life,” Biden said. “There’s so much more I want to get done.”
He added: “As much as I love the job, I love my country more. I decided, after 50 years of public service, it’s time for a new generation of leadership to take my nation forward.”
Addressing the significance of democracy and the pivotal moment that he thinks the world has arrived at, Biden urged his fellow leaders across the globe to prioritise their citizens over their personal ambitions.
“My fellow leaders, let us never forget some things are more important than staying in power. It’s your people that matter the most,” he said.
“Never forget, we are here to serve the people, not the other way around. Because the future, the future, will be won by those who unleash the full potential of their people to breathe free, to think freely, to innovate, to educate, to live and love openly without fear.”
“That’s the soul of democracy,” Biden added. “It does not belong to any one country.”