President Biden delivered his final address to the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, one of the last speeches he has given as president on the world stage, capping off a decades-long political career focused on foreign policy.
“Things can get better,” Biden said, citing the “amazing arc of history” he has seen during his long career in public service.
“I know. I know that many people look at the world today and see difficulties and despair,” the president said. “But I am not like that. I will not be like that.”
The 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (aka UNGA) brought world leaders to New York. The president’s speech covered most of the foreign policy themes of 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 “there is more to it than staying in power,” and emphasized the value of “our people” following his decision to step down from the reelection race.
Julia DeMarie Nickinson / AP
“We must never forget who we came here to represent,” Mr. Biden said. “We, the people. Those are the first words of our Constitution, the very idea of our country, and the inspiration for the opening words of the United Nations Charter. I have made the preservation of democracy a central goal of my presidency.” This summer, I faced the decision of whether to seek a second term as president. It was a difficult decision. It has been the honor of my life to be president. There is so much more I want to do. But as much as I love this job, I love my country even more. After 50 years in public service, I have decided that it is time for a new generation of leadership to lead our country forward. My fellow leaders, let us never forget that some things are more important than staying in power.”
The unyielding tensions in the Middle East are expected to dominate much of the meeting. Mr. Biden believes a ceasefire and hostage negotiation agreement is imminent, but nearly a year after Hamas’ deadly attack on Israel on October 7 that incited the war, a deal remains elusive. Earlier this month, Mr. Biden said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Make enough effort to secure the deal“The world must not cower in fear of the horrors of October 7,” Biden said, adding that innocent civilians in Gaza were “going through hell.”
“Since October 7, we have also resolved to prevent a wider war that would engulf the entire region,” the president said. “Hezbollah joined the attacks on October 7 without provocation, firing rockets into Israel. Almost a year later, too many people are still displaced on both sides of the Israel-Lebanon border. A full-scale war is not in anyone’s interest.”
Missiles that Israel said were targeted hit southern Lebanon on Monday, killing nearly 500 people, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry. Hezbollah Weapons hidden in residential building. The explosion came as Israel warned of a new wave of attacks against Iran-backed groups in Lebanon, warning civilians to evacuate buildings or areas where the group has stored weapons or deployed fighters. A senior administration official called the situation between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon “sensitive and dangerous.”
Seth Wenig / AP
Russia’s war on Ukraine is also a focus of UNGA, and as in previous years, 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” on a key goal. Ukraine is still free, he said, and NATO is “bigger, stronger and more united” than ever.
After a presidency under former President Donald Trump that was increasingly isolationist toward allies, Mr. Biden has stressed that close relationships with allies are in America’s best interest. He reiterated that sentiment on Tuesday.
“My fellow leaders, I truly believe that the choices we make today are at another turning point in world history that will determine our future for decades to come,” Mr. Biden said Tuesday. “Will we uphold the principles that bind us together? Will we stand firm against aggression? Will we end the conflicts that are raging today? Will we confront global challenges like climate change, hunger, and disease?”
This is a busy week for the President’s foreign policy. Met He will spend the weekend at his home in Wilmington, Delaware, with leaders of Indo-Pacific security partners Japan, Australia and India. He will also meet with world leaders during the UN General Assembly and meet with the president of Ukraine. Volodymyr Zelensky in the White House thursday.
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