President Biden delivered his final address to the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday — and one of his last on the world stage as president — ending a decades-long political career that focused heavily on foreign policy.
Mr. Biden noted the “remarkable sweep of history” he’s seen during his long tenure in public service, saying “things can get better.”
“I know, I know that many people look at the world today, see the hardships and act with despair,” the president said. “But I don’t, I won’t.”
The 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, colloquially known as the UNGA, brought leaders from around the world to New York. The themes of the president’s speech included many of his foreign policy themes throughout his administration – emphasizing the importance of rallying the world around Ukraine, managing global competition and upholding the UN Charter. On Tuesday, the president urged world leaders to remember that “few things are more important than being in power,” emphasizing the value of “we the people” after his own decision to withdraw from his re-election bid.
Julia Temari Nickinson / AB
“We must never forget who we are here to represent,” said Mr. Biden said. “We, the people. These are the first words of our Constitution, the idea of America, and they inspired the opening words of our UN Charter. I have made protecting democracy central to my presidency.” This summer, I faced the decision of whether to run for a second term as president. It’s a tough decision. Being President is the pride of my life. I have a lot more to do. But as much as I love my work, I love my country. After 50 years of public service, I decided it was time for a new generation of leadership to take my nation forward. My fellow leaders, we must never forget that few things are more important than being in power.”
Unbridled tensions in the Middle East also promise to dominate much of the conference. Mr. Biden has said he believes a cease-fire and hostage negotiation deal is close, but nearly a year after the deadly Oct. 7 attack by Hamas on Israel that sparked the war, a deal remains elusive. Earlier this month, Mr. Biden said no to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Doing enough to secure a deal. Mr. Biden, Oct. He said “the world should not shake” from the horrors of the 7th and that innocent civilians in Gaza are “going through hell”.
“From October 7, we are determined to prevent a wider war that engulfs the entire region,” the president said. “Hezbollah, without provocation, launched offensive rockets into Israel on October 7. Nearly a year later, more people have been displaced on both sides of the Israeli-Lebanese border. No one wants a full-scale war.”
Missiles rained down on southern Lebanon on Monday, killing nearly 500 people, Lebanon’s health ministry said, saying Israel had targeted them. Hezbollah Concealed weapons in residential buildings. The explosions came as Israel announced a new wave of attacks on Iran-backed militias in Lebanon and warned civilians to flee any buildings or structures where weapons or militants are stationed. A senior administration official called the situation between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon “delicate and dangerous.”
Seth Wenik / AB
Russia’s war on Ukraine is also at the center of the UNGA and, like last year, Mr. Biden has made rallying the world around Ukraine a central theme of his presidency. On Tuesday, Mr. Biden said Russian President Vladimir Putin had “failed” at his main objective – Ukraine is still free and NATO is “bigger, stronger, more united” than ever before.
Following former President Donald Trump’s presidency, which has seen an increasingly isolationist trend toward allies, Mr. Biden has insisted that closer ties with allies are in America’s best interest. He reiterated that sentiment Tuesday.
“My fellow leaders, I truly believe that we are at another inflection point in world history where the choices we make today will determine our future for decades to come,” said Mr. Biden said Tuesday. “Will we stand behind the principles that unite us? Will we stand firm against aggression? End the conflicts raging today? Will we take on global challenges like climate change, hunger and disease?”
It’s been a busy week on foreign policy for the president met The leaders of the Indo-Pacific security partners — Japan, Australia and India — are in Wilmington, Delaware, over the weekend. He will meet with world leaders in conjunction with the UNGA, as well as the President of Ukraine. Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the White House Thursday.
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contributed to this report.
