President Biden waves as he leaves the stage after his final address to the United Nations General Assembly on September 24.
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President Biden on Tuesday announced new aid to try to stop the mpox epidemic in his valedictory address to the United Nations. where he expressed optimism in the face of war and other global challenges.
Biden said the United States will give African countries $500 million to help prevent and respond to mpox and will donate 1 million doses of mpox vaccine. “We now call on our partners to match our promises and make billion-dollar commitments to African people,” Biden said in a speech.
Biden told the leaders that he had seen a “tremendous sweep of history” since he was first elected to office during the Cold War, noting that the United States was still in the Vietnam War at the time.
“Our country is divided and angry, and there are questions about our strength and our future,” he said.
Biden said the US-Vietnam relationship is an example of diplomatic success
But last year, the United States and Vietnam officially raise diplomatic and trade relationsBiden noted – part of a long list of other global issues that have changed for the better, he said.
“It is proof that even from the horrors of war, there is a way forward. Things can get better. We must not forget this,” he said.
“I know many people look at the world today and see the difficulties and respond with despair, but no. I will not,” said Biden, asking leaders to fight the forces that cause division and chaos in the world.
The wars in Ukraine, Gaza and Sudan are top global challenges, Biden said
He said the world should not abandon its support for Ukraine during its war with Russia, and should continue to work to end the war in Gaza, and reduce tensions in the Middle East. He called on UN members to take action to end the conflict in Sudan and address the humanitarian crisis there.
“The world must stop fighting the generals. Speak with one voice and say, ‘Don’t tear your country apart. Stop blocking aid to the Sudanese people. Stop this war now,'” Biden said.
Biden praised China for its cooperation in stemming the global flow of synthetic narcotics, but said the world must continue to fight economic and military coercion.
“Our task – our test – is to make sure that the forces that hold us are stronger than those that pull us,” he said.
Biden said AI is the biggest test for world leaders
Biden devoted a lot of time in his speech to artificial intelligence, saying that it is the biggest test of international leadership, and that the technology can change life, work, war and science.
“AI also carries profound risks, from deep fakes to disinformation to novel pathogens to bioweapons,” Biden said, noting early international work on “global rules of the road” for the technology.
“But to be honest, this is only the tip of the iceberg. What needs to be done to manage this new technology,” he said, saying that “urgent efforts” are needed to ensure AI is safe, secure and fair.
“We need to ensure that the amazing capabilities of AI will be used to uplift and empower everyday people, not to give dictators even stronger shackles on the human spirit in the coming years,” he said.
Biden ended his speech with a plea to leaders to listen and serve their people, explaining that preserving democracy is the main reason for his presidency.
“The future will be won by those who unleash the full potential of their people to breathe freely, think freely, innovate, teach, live and love openly, without fear,” Biden said, drawing a line from the fall. from the Berlin Wall to the end of apartheid to the end disputed elections in Venezuela for LGBT activism in Uganda.
“Leaders, don’t forget, some things are more important than staying in power. It’s your people. Your people are the most important. Don’t forget that we are here to serve the community, not the other way around,” he said.
