Biden Gives Final Address to U.N. General Assembly as President

On Tuesday, President Biden is set to make what is expected to be his final address to the United Nations General Assembly. It also marks a significant moment in his long political career, with a strong emphasis on foreign policy themes. This gathering, known as UNGA, brings together leaders from around the globe in New York City. A senior administration official indicated that Biden’s speech would touch on various topics that have defined his presidency, including rallying support for Ukraine, navigating global competition, and reaffirming the importance of upholding the U.N. Charter.

“He came into office four years ago with a vision of America returning to the world stage, fostering a new approach to international relations and bringing countries together to tackle pressing challenges,” said an administration official during a pre-speech briefing.

This week is notably busy for Biden, who engaged with Indo-Pacific leaders—specifically those from Japan, Australia, and India—over the weekend at his home in Wilmington, Delaware. He is also scheduled to hold meetings with various global leaders during UNGA, with a crucial meeting planned for Thursday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House.

Amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East, the president is expected to address this critical issue during his speech. A senior administration official described the situation between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon as “delicate and dangerous.”

Last Monday, missiles struck southern Lebanon, resulting in nearly 500 fatalities, according to Lebanon’s health ministry. Israel reported targeting Hezbollah’s weapon depots hidden within residential areas. This escalation coincides with Israel’s announcement of a new wave of attacks against the Iran-backed group, urging civilians to evacuate locations that harbor weapons or fighters.

Biden has expressed his belief that a cease-fire and hostage negotiation agreement may be within reach. However, nearly a year after the deadly Hamas attack on Israel that ignited the current conflict, a resolution remains elusive. Earlier this month, the president conveyed concerns that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not done enough to facilitate a deal.

Recently, Hamas executed six hostages, one of whom was an American citizen, intensifying the urgency of the situation.

During last year’s UNGA, Biden largely focused on Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine, emphasizing the need to protect democracy throughout his presidency and his campaign efforts. In contrast to former President Donald Trump’s more isolationist foreign policy approach, Biden has made strengthening alliances a cornerstone of his administration, believing that maintaining close relationships with allies benefits the United States significantly.

“To deliver for our own people, we must also engage deeply with the rest of the world,” Biden stated in his UNGA speech last year. “To ensure our future, we must work together with our partners toward a shared future. Our security, our prosperity, and our very freedoms are more interconnected than ever. I believe we must collaborate as never before.”

As President Biden steps onto the world stage for perhaps the final time, his address will likely serve not just as a summary of his administration’s foreign policy achievements and goals, but also as a reflection of his vision for America’s role in the global community moving forward.

Source: CBS News