Top Takeaways From Joe Biden's Remark at the 77th United Nations General Assembly

Photo: Reuters Joe Biden at the 77th UNGA

The 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA77) could not have arrived at a better time. I have a strong feeling that the world has never been in such disarray and such desperate need of the United Nations prompt action since the end of World War II and the heightened tensions of the Cuban nuclear crisis in 1945 and 1962 respectively.

For example, Russia declared war on Ukraine earlier this year; China is lurking in the dark to incorporate Taiwan; A few days ago, North Korea tested what experts believed to be an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) capable of carrying a nuclear warhead (even though this came after the UNGA77); US-China-Russia relations have risen to unprecedented heights; Rising living costs and insecurity in Africa are at an all-time high; Europe is experiencing an energy crisis. These are only the tip of the iceberg.

As far as I understand, the 77th UNGA has come at a better time thanks to these global uprisings. Therefore, this article is going to give you my opinion on Joe Biden's address at the General Assembly.

Joe Biden's address has undoubtedly been widely anticipated. Experts and media analysts predict that the speech would mostly address the Russia-Ukraine crisis and the heightened tensions between China and Taiwan. Although they emphasized that the US President will also talk on crucial subjects such as Iran's nuclear program, climate change, global food insecurity, human rights abuses, and so on.

To get started, experts' and journalists' predictions came true. Joe Biden opened the 77th session by welcoming all leaders and delegates, as well as providing a summary of current events across the world. Although neither Vladimir Putin nor Xi Jinping was there. The session would have been more fascinating if these two leaders had attended.

Unsurprisingly, Joe Biden chastised Vladimir Putin that his actions against Ukraine since early this year is a flagrant violation of the international rules-based system that abolished great power aggression. He made it clear that the U.S. will always stand up to “imperialism.” At the same time, he acknowledged new sanctions against Russia and rallied global leaders to raise the cost of the war on Putin's regime.

This implies that Biden and other NATO members will continue to provide Ukraine with the assistance and humanitarian aid it requires until Putin is willing to unclench his fist. However, as things now stand, neither Putin nor the West is willing to understand each other. This is why I believe the fight will get murkier, as neither side is prepared to listen. To make matters worse, Vladimir Putin has asked for a partial troop mobilization to supplement his soldiers fighting in Ukraine if necessary. Therefore,  the United Nations must step up its efforts before things spiral out of hand, as Putin has already threatened to use all of the weaponry (nuclear weapons) at his disposal if their territorial integrity is threatened ("I am not bluffing," Putin remarked), which is becoming more likely as time goes by.

Biden has reassured Beijing of the United States' adherence to the "One China Policy" when speaking about China and the escalating tensions in the South China Sea. However, the White House opposes any unilateral move that might alter the regional status quo. Although, given the current state of the US-China relationship, this may be difficult. This implies that if Beijing keeps the peace in the South China Sea, the US would not interfere militarily, as Joe Biden previously stated.

Furthermore, Mr. Biden has urged his counterpart, Xi Jinping, that despite their dubious strategic interests, they can collaborate to combat the threats that mankind faces today. This covers climatic change, new emerging diseases, etc. This effort is diplomatic and sensible because, regardless of whether the United States wishes to remain the world superpower and China wishes to overtake it by 2030, as analysts predict, they must work together to ensure that the world continues to thrive for children yet to be born. The White House has taken an excellent approach, in my opinion. Although Beijing and its like-minded allies may be dissatisfied with this. History, on the other hand, will not be kind to those who betray one another.

Furthermore, Joe Biden has spoken extensively on the impending climate crisis that threatens the whole planet. It's no longer a mystery that the majority of our actions aggravate the world's climate. The recent floods that ravaged Pakistan, some parts of Nigeria, and other regions of the world are all warnings and clues that the worst climate disaster is lurking in the darkness. Amazingly, Joe Biden and his administration have committed to continue funding technology and breakthroughs that will bring sustainable and cheap clean energy options. This is something the entire globe should be proud of since we are running out of time. With Biden's new pledges since returning to the Paris Climate Agreement from which Donald Trump withdrew the US, we can see that the climate crisis will soon be gone.

Without a doubt, the current spike in worldwide food scarcity and excessive inflation has caused millions to go to bed on an empty stomach. The Biden administration has pledged an additional 2.9 billion dollars in humanitarian aid for the most afflicted communities throughout the world. Looking at how people, particularly in developing nations, are dying of starvation or children are malnourished, this is a force for good. The good news is that governments who receive this new package can redirect funds intended to fulfill this need to address other issues.

Most critically, Biden has acknowledged that the United States is working relentlessly to offer drought and pest-resilience seeds to farmers all over the world. This is without a doubt a world-feeding enterprise. Furthermore, Biden has said unequivocally that the West's sanctions on Russia did not include Russia's suspension of grain exports to other countries. Unless Putin intends to use it to starve the globe to fuel his war.

In the global healthcare crisis, it is clear that the United States has supplied millions of vaccinations to underdeveloped countries to combat the unparalleled healthcare pandemic of our time: the coronavirus. Most notably, Biden has urged global leaders to raise more funds to combat their countries' most critical healthcare problems, such as malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS infections. On the spot, Biden announced that his administration had strengthened its commitment to combating these illnesses with a whopping new $6 billion package, referring to it as the "biggest global health fundraising" in the world's history. Without a doubt, this would assist underdeveloped nations such as Nigeria in combating these dangerous illnesses. This is an enormous undertaking for the entire planet.

Most significantly, the President of the United States has said unequivocally that his country would always oppose the persecution of individuals that undermines their fundamental dignity. He condemned countries such as China, Burma, Iran, and Afghanistan for human rights atrocities. In Burma, for example, the Muslim minority of Rohingya is subjected to the most heinous human rights violations. A 22-year-old lady was just savagely beaten to death by the Iranian Morality Police in Iran. Women in Afghanistan are also experiencing a great deal of trauma. As a result, in my opinion, Joe Biden is simply stating that a violation is a violation regardless of who you are, where you come from, or what religion you practice.

On the nuclear nonproliferation program, Biden has sent severe warnings to countries such as Iran, North Korea, and Russia. He stated that Kim Jong Un and his counterpart in Tehran will not be permitted to use this weapon of mass destruction. As you may be aware, Russia is presently threatening to use nuclear weapons in the Ukraine conflict. This is why Biden has made it plain to the aforementioned two leaders that using this weapon is not something his government would take lightly. In addition to Putin's frequent nuclear war threats, Biden stated that nuclear war has never been an option and should not be fought. Despite their differences with China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, Biden underlined that there is always a way to reach a diplomatic settlement. This is a positive step by the White House for international peace, in my opinion. Because leaders who can undercut the rules of engagement with this delicate weapon pose a massive threat that might lead to nuclear Armageddon.

These are, in my opinion, some of the most important lessons from Joe Biden's speech. I believe he has opened the door for all countries to meet and discuss their common strategic interests. From the ongoing conflict in Ukraine to the approaching China-Taiwan problem, as well as other crucial concerns impacting the globe as a whole. The 77th General Assembly of the United Nations has convened at an opportune time when the entire globe is caught in the flames of war, food insecurity, climate change, floods, drought, healthcare crisis, and so on.

I hope that when leaders return to their nations, they will keep their promises. At the same time, I hope Putin and his like-minded allies would seek a new path ahead based on mutual interest and respect and embrace our better history, which provides every global citizen with a fair chance of realizing his or her dreams. This is the hope I shall carry with me into the future. I hope that in the future, shared strategic competition will not drive our nations to savagery. 

God bless us all.