In what marked an emotional farewell, Joe Biden delivered his final address as President before the U.N. General Assembly, calling on nations to unite in the face of pressing global challenges. He emphasized the urgent need for collaboration in response to the escalating conflict in the Middle East, Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, and the rising concerns regarding China’s influence and its implications for the international arena. As he took the podium for the last time, his message underscored the importance of solidarity among nations in addressing these critical issues.
“I truly believe we’re at another inflection point in world history. The choices we make today will determine our future,” Biden first stated.
Biden reiterated the fact of how Vladimir Putin has “failed” in his personal quest to take over Ukraine and destroy NATO. “But Ukraine is free,” Biden reaffirmed. “NATO is bigger, stronger and more united than ever, with two new members: Finland and Sweden”. He then emphasized that the world should not turn its back on Ukraine and that it is vital to support the country by all possible means.
The president then addressed Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7 last year, and how it resulted in the loss of more than 1,200 lives, as well as episodes of sexual violence and the holding of several civilians as hostages in Gaza.
He acknowledged that innocent civilians in Gaza have suffered greatly from Israel’s retaliation against Hamas. But he also recalled that the United States has submitted a ceasefire proposal, which has received the full support of the UN Security Council, urging both sides to finalize the agreement.
“A diplomatic solution is still possible and remains the only path to lasting security,” Biden declared. He thereby condemned acts of violence against innocent Palestinians in the West Bank and stressed the urgency of working toward a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians.
Biden noted that Gaza “is not the only conflict that deserves outrage,” pointing to the civil war that is happening in Sudan, where millions are on the verge of starvation and hundreds of thousands are already struggling it. “The world must stop arming these generals,” he urged, appealing to nations to come together to demand an end to the war.
In the final passages of his speech, Biden focused on the impact of A.I., highlighting that it will transform the way we live, work and wage war scenarios. He stressed the importance of ensuring that artificial intelligence serves to “elevate and empower ordinary people” rather than weaken them.
Biden then wrapped up his speech by reflecting on his decision, made in the summer, to withdraw from the presidential race and not seek reelection, especially after the intense pressure he received from his own party: “Let us never forget that some things are more important than holding on to power,” he said. “It’s the people who matter most. We are here to serve them, not the other way around”.
He acknowledged that “every era faces its own challenges,” recalling his decades of public service in times of tension and uncertainty, including the Cold War, the Vietnam War and conflicts in the Middle East. However, he insisted that there is always a “path forward”.
Joe Biden’s farewell address to the U.N. General Assembly resonates not only as a culmination of his presidency, but also as a clear call for global unity in the midst of crises that are threatening world peace and stability. As he illuminated the path forward, urging nations to unify, his words served as a reminder that in times of uncertainty, collaboration and common purpose are crucial.
His tone throughout the speech could not be other than somber, given the perilous state of the world that he was discussing, but his fundamental approach to crises over the decades that he has spent in the political arena can be summarized by his statement that, “Things can get better. We must never lose sight of that. I’ve seen it throughout my career”.
