At the U.N. General Assembly, Biden will prioritize development, climate issues, and the situation in Ukraine. However, notable absences include Putin and Xi.
During his two-day visit to New York for the U.N. General Assembly, President Biden intends to prioritize sustainable development and infrastructure, combatting climate change, and strengthening the alliance that supports Ukraine in its conflict with Russia.
In a preview of the prominent global diplomacy meeting, senior administration officials stated that Mr. Biden will utilize his annual U.N. address on Tuesday to present his perspective on how countries can effectively utilize their endeavors to resolve conflicts, uphold human rights and the rule of law, and facilitate economic development in other nations.
Mr. Biden will have individual meetings with important leaders such as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil, and government officials from Central Asia during his visit.
Brazil traditionally kicks off the lineup of dozens of world leaders addressing the U.N. delegates, and Mr. Biden is scheduled to follow closely after Mr. Lula speaks.
Senior officials from the administration have stated that Mr. Biden intends to propose suggestions for improving global organizations like the U.N. and World Bank, aiming to make them “more efficient and inclusive.” Additionally, he plans to unite international partners in order to enhance global security and prosperity.
Simultaneously, the White House recognized that the current global situation is fraught with danger.
An official stated that currently there is a period of geopolitical tension, citing Russia’s war without cause and the alleged aggression of China in East Asia, as mentioned by U.S. officials.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will attend meetings in New York before a visit to Washington to press the White House and Congress for more military aid for his fight against Russian invaders.
Senior administration officials stated that during his assembly speech on Tuesday, Mr. Biden will emphasize the significance of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territory.
The U.S. will be noticeable at the meeting due to the absence of other prominent global leaders.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin have chosen not to attend the event in Manhattan, which is not uncommon for them. However, it is unexpected that French President Emmanuel Macron and U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak are also absent.
Mr. Macron has cited a scheduling conflict. He will be hosting King Charles III in France.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, who arrived in New York on Monday, will be present at the U.N. gathering. This comes at a time when the United States and Iran were engaged in a prisoner swap, amidst strained bilateral relations. Mr. Raisi is scheduled to address the General Assembly on Tuesday afternoon.
Senior administration officials said they could not speak for other nations but said that Mr. Biden sees the U.N. as an “incredibly rich and important venue” for working with other leaders and tackling problems.
