Biden to Address U.N. General Assembly Amid Absence of Key Authoritarian Leaders, Focuses on Global Cooperation

President Biden is set to address the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, as leaders from 134 countries gather in New York City. Notably, several prominent authoritarian leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, will not be in attendance.

In contrast, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is scheduled to speak, despite facing widespread criticism for Iran’s support of terrorism, interference in U.S. elections, and threats against American politicians, including former President Trump.

Pezeshkian has claimed that Iran seeks peace, but many observers remain skeptical of these assertions given the country’s controversial actions. Biden is expected to speak immediately before Pezeshkian and will focus on rallying global cooperation to address urgent international challenges.

His remarks are anticipated to outline his administration’s priorities and vision, marking a significant moment as he prepares for his final address to the U.N. as president.

The Biden administration plans to highlight three key areas during the U.N. events: resolving ongoing conflicts, enhancing humanitarian aid, and reforming the U.N. Security Council.

Specifically, the U.S. aims to add permanent seats for African nations and establish a rotating seat for Small Island Developing States. These efforts reflect a desire to create a more inclusive and effective international framework that better represents the interests of a diverse global community.

However, there are concerns that the U.N. is focusing too heavily on long-term goals rather than addressing pressing global issues. Hugh Dugan, a former U.S. delegate to the U.N., expressed the need for a “Summit of the Present” to ensure accountability for current challenges.

He criticized the tendency to make vague commitments about the future without confronting immediate problems, suggesting that this approach diminishes the urgency of addressing real-time crises.

The summit is occurring against the backdrop of significant ongoing conflicts, including the war in Ukraine, Israel’s struggles with Iran-backed groups, and civil unrest in countries like Sudan and Myanmar. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the pressing need for global institutions to adapt to rapidly evolving challenges.

He warned that existing frameworks are often inadequate for tackling complex issues, such as climate change and the implications of artificial intelligence.

While some authoritarian leaders are absent from the assembly, their delegations will still participate, a trend that has become increasingly common. Dugan noted that this allows these leaders to avoid tough scrutiny from their Western counterparts while still engaging in international discussions.

Despite questions about legitimacy and effectiveness, he affirmed that the U.N. Security Council remains an important platform for global dialogue, even if some of its most powerful members are not physically present at the table.