In his final address as president of the United Nations General Assembly, Joe Biden sought to balance his administration’s foreign policy successes with the ongoing challenges posed by wars in the Middle East, Ukraine, and Sudan. Delivered in New York on Tuesday, the speech comes as Biden nears the end of his term, marking one of his last opportunities to present his diplomatic legacy to a global audience.
With just months left in office, Biden focused on his administration’s key accomplishments while acknowledging the grim reality of persistent international conflicts.
Achievements and Ongoing Challenges
Biden’s speech outlined what his administration considers to be its greatest foreign policy achievements, including support for Ukraine in its defense against Russia’s invasion, managing competition with China, upholding the UN Charter, and efforts to address humanitarian crises, particularly in Gaza and Sudan. The president also highlighted initiatives like global principles for artificial intelligence governance.
“Given that this is the President’s last General Assembly, it’s a chance for him to talk about how this approach has produced results, real achievements for the American people and for the world,” said a senior administration official before the address.
However, the geopolitical backdrop left little room for celebration. Since Biden’s last UNGA appearance in 2023, conflicts in Ukraine, Sudan, and the Middle East have continued, with new challenges arising in each region.
Wars in Ukraine, Sudan, and the Middle East
Ukraine remains locked in a brutal war with Russia, with battles continuing after two and a half years of fighting. Biden emphasized the need to maintain global support for Ukraine, even as some U.S. congressional Republicans have begun questioning continued military aid.
In Sudan, a civil war that has raged for more than a year shows little sign of ending, and the humanitarian crisis there worsens. Ceasefire talks are in their infancy, with much uncertainty ahead.
Meanwhile, the Middle East has been rocked by escalating violence. Israel’s ongoing military operation in Gaza following the October 2023 Hamas attacks has resulted in a humanitarian disaster. Tens of thousands of Palestinians have been killed or wounded, and hostages taken by Hamas remain in captivity or have been killed. Biden has repeatedly voiced support for a ceasefire and hostages deal, but the situation remains dire.
Diplomatic Push and Key Meetings
Biden reiterated his call for stronger international cooperation to address these global crises and reinforced the importance of global institutions, such as the United Nations. “This is his vision of countries working together,” said an administration official, noting that it has been a consistent theme of Biden’s presidency.
Biden also used the UNGA gathering to meet privately with key world leaders, tackling global problems behind closed doors. On Monday, Biden met with the UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Washington, and following his Tuesday speech, he hosted a summit on combatting synthetic drug trafficking. Later in the week, he will meet with Vietnam’s President Tô Lâm and host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Washington.
As the end of Biden’s presidency draws near, other world leaders are also making time to meet with potential successors. Vice President Kamala Harris has already met with key figures like the UAE President and will meet with Zelenskyy later this week. Former President Donald Trump, Biden’s opponent in the upcoming election, is also scheduled to meet with major foreign leaders, including Zelenskyy, Polish President Andrzej Duda, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
As President Biden delivered his final address to the United Nations General Assembly, he reflected on his administration’s diplomatic achievements while acknowledging the ongoing global challenges. With wars raging in Ukraine, Sudan, and the Middle East, Biden’s message was clear: international cooperation and strong global institutions are essential for addressing the crises of today and the future.
