WASHINGTON: The White House has confirmed that United States President Joe Biden will deliver an address at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York next week. During the assembly, President Biden is expected to engage with fellow world leaders to address pressing international security “threats.”
The annual UNGA gathering, which draws leaders from around the world, is anticipated to once again be dominated by discussions regarding Russia’s ongoing conflict in Ukraine. During last year’s assembly, nations overwhelmingly voted to condemn Moscow’s annexation of parts of Ukraine.
Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre announced that President Biden is scheduled to address the General Assembly on September 19, marking the first day of his two-day participation in the UN meeting.
Jean-Pierre elaborated that during his time at the UNGA, President Biden will engage in meetings with world leaders to deliberate on cooperation in countering threats to global peace and security, advancing worldwide prosperity, and safeguarding human rights.
Biden’s Criticism of Putin
Notably, at the previous UNGA session, President Biden had strongly criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin for what he described as “shameless” violations of the UN Charter through a conflict aimed at undermining Ukraine’s sovereignty.
Although the White House did not specify which leaders President Biden will meet this year, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is also scheduled to attend the UNGA next week as part of his trip to the United States. However, Israeli officials have indicated that there are currently no plans for a meeting between President Biden and Prime Minister Netanyahu.
Relations between the two leaders have faced strains since Netanyahu’s re-election last year, with President Biden voicing criticism of a judicial overhaul pursued by Netanyahu’s hard-right government. Nevertheless, in July, the White House announced that President Biden and Prime Minister Netanyahu would “meet in the United States later this year,” without providing further details.
