DM Monitoring
NEW YORK: President Biden said the global community stands at an “inflection point in history” amid the compounding crises of the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change and other challenges, telling world leaders they must “work together as never before” in his first address as president to the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday.
“Simply put, we stand, in my view, at an inflection point in history,” Mr. Biden said. “And I’m here today to share with you how the United States intends to work with partners and allies to answer these questions, and the commitment of my new administration to help lead the world toward a more peaceful, prosperous future for all people.”
Mr. Biden’s address came as he sought to put the U.S. on firmer footing with allies and reassure world leaders that his administration will not be an extension of the chaotic four years under former President Donald Trump.
But the U.S. is facing heightened tensions with U.S. allies due to the chaotic exit from Afghanistan, which was completed last month.
The Biden administration is also grappling with the fallout from a submarine deal the U.S. brokered with Australia and the United Kingdom, which has caused a rift with France, the nation’s oldest ally.
Still, the president on Tuesday reiterated that America is back, a phrase he has repeated often to demonstrate how his administration differs from Mr. Trump’s approach to foreign affairs. Without criticizing his predecessor, Mr. Biden stressed his recurring theme that the U.S. is ready to reengage in international partnerships.
“We’re back at the table in international forums, especially the United Nations, to focus attention and to spur global action on shared challenges,” Mr. Biden said.
“We are reengaged at the World Health Organization, and working in close partnership with COVAX to deliver life-saving vaccines around the world. We rejoined the Paris climate agreement, and we’re running to retake a seat on the Human Rights Council next year at the U.N.”
