Skip next section Biden urges leaders to ‘stand up to naked aggression’ in UkraineSeptember 19, 2023
Biden urges leaders to ‘stand up to naked aggression’ in Ukraine”For the second year in a row, this gathering that is dedicated to the peaceful resolution of conflicts is darkened by the shadow of war,” US President Joe Biden told world leaders at the UN General Assembly meeting.
“We strongly support Ukraine in its efforts to bring about a diplomatic resolution that delivers a just and lasting peace,” he said, referring to Russia’s invasion of its neighbor.
“Russia alone bears responsibility for this war,” Biden said.
“If we allow Ukraine to be carved up, is the independence of any nation secure?” he asked, urging the assembly to “stand up to this naked aggression today to deter would-be aggressors tomorrow.”
“That’s why the United States, together with our allies and partners around the world, will continue to stand with the brave people of Ukraine as they defend their sovereignty, their territorial integrity, and their freedom,” the US president said, to a round of applause from the assembly, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy who was present.
Biden’s pledge for continued support for Ukraine was met with applause from the assemblyImage: Susan Walsh/AP Photo/picture alliance https://p.dw.com/p/4WZ7ySkip next section US President Biden addresses the General AssemblySeptember 19, 2023
US President Biden addresses the General AssemblyUS President Joe Biden took to the stand at the UN General Assembly. He is the only permanent Security Council member leader present for the debate.
“We’re gathered once more at an inflection point of history,” he told the assembly.
He called on world leaders to work together for a “common vision of the future of the world, where our children do not go hungry, and everyone has access to quality healthcare. Where workers are empowered and our environment is protected. Where entrepreneurs and innovators everywhere can access opportunities everywhere. Where conflicts are resolved peacefully, where countries can chart their own course.”
“We know our future is bound to yours,” he emphasized.
He expressed Washington’s commitment to the UN, but also called for the modernization of its institutions, including repeating his call to expand the permanent and non-permanent members of the Security Council.
The US president also brought up several of the challenges facing the world, including climate change, the drug trade and AI.
“It’s going to take all of us,” Biden told world leaders, referring to how to deal with the “opportunities” and “perils” posed by artificial intelligence.
He also discussed the threats to democracy, highlighting the recent slew of coups in Western Africa that have toppled democratically elected governments.
“When it comes to China, I want to be clear and consistent,” Biden continued. “We seek to responsibly manage the competition between our countries so it does not tip into conflict.”
He said the US would push back “on aggression and intimidation” but “we also stand ready to work together with China on issues where progress hinges on our common efforts.”
“Nowhere is that more critical on decelerating the climate crisis,” he said. “We see it everywhere, record-breaking heatwaves in the United States and China, wildfires ravaging North America and Southern Europe, the fifth year of drought in the Horn of Africa, tragic flooding in Libya.”
“Together these snapshots tell an urgent story of what awaits us if we fail to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels,” he said.
https://p.dw.com/p/4WYwsSkip next section ‘Brazil is back’ Lula tells assemblySeptember 19, 2023
‘Brazil is back’ Lula tells assemblyBrazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was the first world leader to speak to the assembly.
He attacked global inequality and the fact that many of the world’s poor are currently going hungry. “The world is increasingly unequal. The world’s 10 richest billionaires have more wealth than the poorest 40% of humanity,” he said.
But he celebrated Brazil’s democratic principles, saying that “Brazil is back,” a core message of his presidency following the end of his predecessor Jair Bolsonaro’s time in office.
“Democracy ensured that we overcame hate, misinformation and oppression,” he said of his election victory.
He also called for talks for peace to end the war in Ukraine, saying “no solution will be lasting if it is not based on dialogue.”
https://p.dw.com/p/4WYwhSkip next section UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres opens General Assembly sessionSeptember 19, 2023
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres opens General Assembly session”Just nine days ago many of the world’s challenges coalesced in an awful hellscape, thousands of people in Derna, Libya, lost their lives in epic unprecedented flooding,” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said to open the assembly, pointing to the issues of conflict, climate change, inequality and governance all coming together.
“Our world is becoming unhinged. Geopolitical tensions are rising. Global challenges are mounting. And we seem incapable of coming together to respond,” the UN chief said, which he said required the modernization of global institutions.
“The world has changed. Our institutions have not.”
“Democracy is under threat, authoritarianism is on the march,” he continued and called for “compromise” to deal with the multiple challenges the world is facing.
Guterres also highlighted Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as an example of countries violating the UN charter and the consequences that it has for the world. “I will not give up on my on efforts” to restart the Black Sea grain deal, he said.
Guterres urged world leaders to work together to tackle the major challenges including climate change, conflict, the possible threats of technology and AI, women’s rights, and uneven development.
https://p.dw.com/p/4WYl7Skip next section What is planned for today?September 19, 2023
What is planned for today?Several world leaders are expected to speak on Monday, as well as UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who will be kicking off the speeches, is expected to try to position Brazil as a leader of the Global South, in an effort to counterbalance the dominance of China and the US.
US President Joe Biden is also speaking today, as well as German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.
Before the summit kicked off, Guterres stressed the importance of addressing the worsening climate emergency as well as the escalating conflicts worldwide.
“People are looking to their leaders for a way out of this mess,” Guterres said. He warned that despite all the challenges, “geopolitical divisions are undermining our capacity to respond.”
UN warns world off track to meeting development goalsTo view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
https://p.dw.com/p/4WWn4Skip next section Who are this year’s notable attendees and absentees?September 19, 2023
Who are this year’s notable attendees and absentees?The 78th United Nations General Assembly high-level meeting kicks off today at the UN headquarters in New York.
US President Joe Biden, due to speak later today, is the only head of state among the UN Security Council permanent members attending. French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Chinese President Xi Jinping are all skipping.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, who was slammed an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) earlier this year, will also not attend.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is meanwhile attending the high-level meeting. He arrived in New York on Monday.
https://p.dw.com/p/4WWg5
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