As he addressed international leaders at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, the US president took a trip down memory lane.
Just a few short weeks ago, Joe Biden could not have imagined that his Tuesday speech to the United Nations General Assembly would serve as his valedictory address to the world body. Then, he still harboured hopes of securing four more years in the White House. But with his re-election campaign now firmly behind him, the President was in a reflective mood as he addressed the United Nations for one final time.
Looking back over a career in public service that began with his election to Congress in 1972, Biden offered delegates a glimpse into what he called the “remarkable sweep of history” that he has witnessed. He cited the fall of the apartheid regime in South Africa, the end of the war in Vietnam, the collapse of the USSR, and the bringing to justice of both Serbian tyrant Slobodan Milosevic and Al Qaeda mastermind Osama bin Laden as proof that there is reason to remain hopeful, even in the most trying times.
“Things can get better. We should never forget that”, Biden said from the green marble lectern that serves as the UN’s hallmark. “I’ve seen that throughout my career….maybe because of all I’ve seen and all we have done together over the years, I have hope. I know there is a way forward”, Biden said, demonstrably seeking to reassure his audience.
His speech came in the midst of searing challenges on the world stage. The twin crises in the Middle East and Ukraine served as the backdrop for Biden’s address, along with his need to pledge that a US government led by Vice President Kamala Harris will continue burnishing America’s global alliances and playing a leadership role on the world stage.
There were few new initiatives unveiled in his address. With regard to the Middle East, he said “the world must not flinch from the horrors of October 7….any country would have the right and responsibility to ensure that such an attack could never happen again”. But after describing Palestinian civilians in Gaza as “going through hell”, he again urged the parties to the conflict to finalise terms for a ceasefire to “bring the hostages home, ensure security for Israel…ease the suffering in Gaza and end this war”.
He urged the international community to continue supporting President Voldymyr Zelensky in Kyiv, even after a new president enters the White House. “We cannot grow weary, we cannot look away, we cannot give up on our support for Ukraine”, said Biden, who made no reference during his speech to the reversal in policy that a Trump presidency is likely to introduce.
“When Russia invaded Ukraine, we could have merely stood by and protested…but Vice President Harris and I…stepped into the breach”, he said, in his only reference to the woman who is now the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee.
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Biden quoted his favourite poet, WB Yeats, who wrote “Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold”. But Biden insisted that “in our time, the centre has held. Leaders across the spectrum have stood together.” Telling his colleagues that “every age faces its challenges”, he urged them “to make sure that the forces that are holding us together are stronger than those pulling us apart….that the centre holds once again”.
He also urged the world’s dictators, and those elected leaders who have outstayed their welcome, to follow his personal example and step away from the political fray. “Let us never forget, some things are more important than staying in power….we are here to serve the people, not the other way round”.
In the modern era, American presidential speeches to the General Assembly have rarely been memorable, and Biden’s final address may prove to be no different. But one notable exception occurred in 2018, when Donald Trump boasted that “in less than two years, my administration has accomplished almost more than any other administration in the history of our country”. His specious claim secured so much laughter in the chamber, that Trump interrupted his prepared remarks and – in a phrase laced with loathing – told his audience that he “didn’t expect that reaction, but that’s ok”.
In 40 days’ time, UN member states will learn whether Trump is going to secure the keys to the White House anew, earn the right to stand behind the UN’s podium in 12 months’ time and secure the last laugh.
