In his final address at the UN General Assembly, President Joe Biden emphasized his commitment to resolving conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, while facing skepticism from other world leaders.
“My fellow leaders, let us never forget some things are more important than staying in power,” Biden remarked in conclusion of his speech.
He earned applause for his decision to withdraw from the upcoming presidential election.
Biden adopted the demeanor of an elder statesman, reflecting on his extensive political career and the historical challenges he has witnessed. He urged his fellow leaders to maintain hope amid global unrest.
“Things can get better,” he stated.
The President warned against succumbing to despair over the current state of international affairs.
The backdrop of Biden’s speech was set by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who expressed concern about a lack of international norms that once governed global relations, calling the current situation “purgatory of polarity.” Guterres noted the rise of new powers like China and the decline of US dominance as contributing to global uncertainty.
While Biden tried to present rallying Western support for Ukraine as a success on the international arena, his approach drew criticism. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Jordan’s King Abdullah II both challenged Biden’s stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict, accusing him of enabling continued violence and humanitarian crises.
Biden reiterated his call for an end to violence in Gaza and expressed concern about escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. However, responses from leaders like South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva highlighted a growing discontent with US foreign policy, particularly regarding human rights issues in the Middle East.
As Biden concluded his address, he invoked the words of Irish poet William Butler Yeats, contrasting his optimism with the broader sentiments of despair voiced by other world leaders.
Al Jazeera, Reuters, and the Washington Post contributed to this report.
