As President Joe Biden approaches his final speech at the United Nations General Assembly, the world is grappling with a range of crises: escalating conflict in the Middle East, the ongoing war in Ukraine, and increasing tensions with China. With the 2024 election looming, Biden’s address carries extra weight as both Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump—the two leading candidates to succeed him—could handle these global challenges differently.
Here’s what to expect from Biden’s speech and what it means for the United States and the broader international community.
Biden’s Last Address to the UN General Assembly
This year’s address marks Biden’s last opportunity as president to lay out his vision for global cooperation at the United Nations General Assembly. His speech will focus on reaffirming America’s leadership on the world stage and encouraging international action to tackle key challenges like climate change, artificial intelligence, and the worsening global conflicts in Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan.
Biden has always framed his approach as one of diplomacy and coalition-building. As he prepares to step down, this speech is his chance to solidify his legacy as a global leader and rally world leaders behind a collective effort to solve the most pressing problems facing the planet.
Israel-Hamas Conflict: The Road to Ceasefire
One of the most significant backdrops to Biden’s speech is the Israel-Hamas war. Following the October attack by Hamas on Israel, the situation in Gaza has deteriorated dramatically. Thousands of civilians have lost their lives, and the fighting shows no signs of slowing down.
Biden’s remarks at the UN will likely include a strong call for peace and a push for a ceasefire agreement. Although the United States has been working behind the scenes to broker a deal, progress has been slow. The conflict has also expanded to Lebanon, with Israel launching airstrikes against Hezbollah targets, further complicating efforts to restore peace in the region.
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Biden will “reaffirm America’s leadership” and the importance of upholding the UN Charter and human rights during these times of crisis.
Biden’s Vision for a World Tackling Key Challenges
Beyond the conflicts in the Middle East, Biden’s UN speech will focus on the world’s collective responsibility to address the major global challenges of our time. Let’s break them down:
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Climate Change
Biden has consistently framed climate change as the existential threat of our era. In his final address, he’ll likely emphasise the importance of global collaboration to combat this threat, especially in the face of extreme weather events becoming more frequent and severe. -
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
With AI transforming industries worldwide, Biden will highlight the need for international cooperation to regulate artificial intelligence, ensuring it is used responsibly and doesn’t become a force of disruption or harm. -
The Opioid Epidemic
The opioid crisis, particularly the rise of synthetic drugs like fentanyl, has been a major focus for the Biden administration. His speech will likely touch on the U.S.’s efforts to tackle the fentanyl supply chain, working with global partners to stem the flow of these deadly substances. -
The War in Ukraine
Russia’s war in Ukraine has been a dominant theme of Biden’s foreign policy. The U.S. has been a major backer of Ukraine since the war began, and Biden is expected to continue urging global support for Ukrainian sovereignty and the fight against Russian aggression. -
China’s Growing Influence
The U.S.-China rivalry is another key area Biden will address. The Biden administration’s approach to China has been one of “responsible management” of competition. In his remarks, Biden will likely stress the importance of diplomatic engagement with China to avoid direct conflict, while also addressing China’s aggressive moves across the region, particularly in relation to Taiwan.
How Biden Is Shaping U.S. Foreign Policy Amid 2024 Election
With the election drawing near, Biden is keenly aware that the global challenges he’s addressing at the UN will likely be inherited by his successor. Whether it’s Kamala Harris or Donald Trump sitting in the Oval Office come January, they will need to navigate these same crises with their own approach.
Kamala Harris, should she win, is expected to continue Biden’s multilateral approach, working through alliances and partnerships to tackle issues like climate change and international conflicts.
On the other hand, Donald Trump represents a much more unilateral approach. His foreign policy, as seen during his time in office, was characterised by isolationism and a desire to reduce U.S. military involvement overseas.
Biden’s speech will not just be a reflection of his time in office but also a signal of what he believes should be the continuity of America’s role on the world stage.
U.S. Relations With the Quad and China’s Growing Assertiveness
In addition to his UN speech, Biden hosted a meeting of the Quad—a security partnership between the United States, India, Japan, and Australia—earlier this week. Though China wasn’t explicitly mentioned in the joint statement released after the meeting, the subtext was clear.
During the Quad summit, Biden said, “China continues to behave aggressively,” which was picked up on hot mics as journalists left the room. The Biden administration’s policy towards China has been to manage competition responsibly while promoting diplomatic engagement to avoid conflict. In Tuesday’s address, we can expect Biden to double down on this approach, calling for constructive cooperation while holding China accountable for its actions.
Addressing Criticism Over Afghanistan
Biden is no stranger to criticism, especially when it comes to the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. The chaotic nature of the withdrawal remains a key talking point for Republicans, who have accused Biden of mismanaging the exit. Recently, Congressional Republicans released a scathing report outlining the withdrawal’s flaws, placing the blame squarely on Biden’s administration.
However, the Biden administration and Democrats have largely deflected blame onto Trump, arguing that Trump’s peace deal with the Taliban left them with no good options for a clean exit. Biden may touch on Afghanistan briefly in his speech, framing the withdrawal as a necessary step to end America’s longest war.
Biden’s Legacy: A Global Vision for the Future
Biden’s final address to the United Nations is a defining moment. With the world facing numerous interconnected challenges, from climate change to global conflicts, Biden is calling for unity and action.
For his successor, whether it be Kamala Harris or Donald Trump, they will inherit a world still struggling with these issues. The way Biden chooses to frame America’s future role in tackling these crises will shape not only his legacy but also the future of U.S. foreign policy.
Learn More:
- Israel-Hamas war (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east)
- Quad security grouping (https://www.cfr.org/quad-what-it)
- Biden China relations (https://www.reuters.com/china-us-relations)
- Afghanistan U.S. withdrawal (https://www.cnn.com/us-afghanistan-withdrawal)
- Artificial intelligence regulation (https://www.forbes.com/artificial-intelligence-policy)
