President Biden is expected to deliver remarks at the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, while key leaders from some authoritarian nations, including China and Russia, will be absent. Amid ongoing international conflicts and concerns about the effectiveness of the UN, experts highlight the body's challenges in addressing pressing issues.
President Biden is set to address the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday morning as leaders and representatives from 134 countries gather in New York City for the annual convention. Notably, the heads of some top authoritarian nations will not be in attendance, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
However, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is scheduled to give a speech despite international pushback due to Tehran's support for terrorism, interference in the U.S. election, and assassination threats against American politicians.
UN General Assembly: Biden to Address World Leaders Amidst International Turmoil
According to reports, Pezeshkian stated to reporters that Iran desires peace, but his comments are not expected to be taken at face value. Biden, who will speak ahead of the Iranian president, will "rally global action to tackle the world's most pressing challenges," according to White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken, alongside UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and U.S. Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield, emphasized the importance of addressing global conflicts, supporting humanitarian aid workers, and creating a more inclusive and effective international system. Thomas-Greenfield outlined three major areas of focus: ending war, increasing support for humanitarian aid, and adding permanent and rotating seats to the UN Security Council for African nations and Small Island Developing States.
UN General Assembly: Biden to Address World Leaders Amidst International Turmoil
Despite calls for optimism, a sense of gloom has permeated the UN ahead of the summit due to persistent international conflicts, including the war in Ukraine, the Israel-Palestine conflict, the gang takeover in Haiti, and civil wars in Sudan and Myanmar. Guterres has acknowledged the need for urgent action, highlighting the inadequacy of current institutions and frameworks in应对ing complex challenges.
However, some experts question whether Guterres' focus on significant reforms may be a way to avoid accountability for ongoing mismanagement of spending and internal politics within the UN. The absence of several permanent UNSC members, including China and Russia, has raised concerns about the state of the UN's legitimacy, particularly in the Security Council.
UN General Assembly: Biden to Address World Leaders Amidst International Turmoil
Nonetheless, one expert maintains the UN's continued significance as a global convener, despite its challenges in reaching consensus. The summit provides a platform for discussions and negotiations, even if heads of state are not present. The UN's ability to address critical issues and its overall effectiveness will remain under scrutiny throughout the General Assembly and beyond.
