President Biden on Tuesday is delivering what will be his final speech to the United Nations General Assembly — and it’s also likely to be one of his last speeches on the world stage as president, capping a decades-long political career that has focused heavily on foreign policy.
Mr. Biden noted the “remarkable sweep of history” he had seen in his long career, saying “things can get better.”
“I know, I know many look at the world today and see difficulties and react with despair,” the president said. “But I do not. I won’t.”
The 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, colloquially known as UNGA, is bringing leaders from across the globe to New York. The themes of the president’s speech encompass many of his foreign policy themes throughout his administration — rallying the world around Ukraine, managing global competition and emphasizing the importance of sustaining the U.N. Charter.
The unyielding tension in the Middle East also promises to dominate much of the conference. Mr. Biden has said he believes a cease-fire and hostage negotiation agreement is close, but nearly one year after the deadly Hamas attack on Israel that incited the war, a deal remains elusive. Earlier this month, Mr. Biden said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu isn’t doing enough to secure a deal.
“The world must not flinch from the horrors of Oct. 7,” Mr. Biden said. “Any country, any country, would have the right and responsibility to ensure that such an attack can never happen again.”
Missiles slammed into southern Lebanon on Monday, killing nearly 500 people, according to Lebanon’s health ministry, as Israel said it was targeting Hezbollah weapons hidden in residential buildings. The explosions came as Israel heralded a new wave of attacks on the Iran-backed group in Lebanon, warning civilians to flee from any buildings or areas where the organization had weapons or fighters positioned. A senior administration official called the situation between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon “delicate and dangerous.”
Russia’s war on Ukraine is also a focus of UNGA, as it was last year. Mr. Biden has emphasized the necessity of protecting democracy throughout his presidency and campaigns for president. Following former President Donald Trump’s presidency, which had more isolationist tendencies toward allies, Mr. Biden has emphasized that close relationships with allies are in America’s best interest. He reiterated that sentiment Tuesday.
“My fellow leaders, I truly believe we’re at another inflection point in world history where the choices we make today will determine our future for decades to come,” Mr. Biden said Tuesday. “Will we stand behind the principles that unite us? Will we stand firm against aggression? Will we end the conflicts that are raging today? Will we take on global challenges like climate change, hunger and disease?”
It’s a busy week in foreign policy for the president, who met with the leaders of the Indo-Pacific nations — Japan, Australia and India — over the weekend at his Wilmington, Delaware home. He’ll be meeting with world leaders on the sidelines of UNGA, as well as meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House Thursday.