Afghan Crisis, Covid & An Indirect Message For China: Key Takeaways From Joe Biden's Speech At UNGA

Global issues such as climate change, Covid-19 pandemic and Afghanistan crisis are expected to be among the top items on the agenda for the meetings.

New York: United States President Joe Biden on Tuesday delivered his first address to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) where spoke about a range of issues including the Afghanistan crisis, Covid outbreak, tension with China and more. 

In his address, Biden said that the Quad alliance of India, the US, Japan and Australia has been 'elevated', as he declared that Washington will stand up for its allies and friends.

Biden was next to address the annual meeting of Presidents, Prime Ministers, Princes and other officials after UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres's speech at the opening session. 

Global issues such as climate change, Covid-19 pandemic and Afghanistan crisis are expected to be among the top items on the agenda for the meetings.

Here Are Key Takeaways From Joe Biden's Speech At UNGA:

1. "We elevated the Quad partnership among Australia, India, Japan and the United States to take on challenges ranging from health security to climate to emerging technologies, engaging with regional institutions," Biden said. 

2. Biden's statement came ahead of his first Quad summit on Friday with Prime Ministers Narendra Modi of India, Yoshihide Suga of Japan and Scott Morrison of Australia.

3. While speaking about terrorism, Biden said that make no mistakes, the United States will continue to defend itself, its allies and its interests against attacks, including terrorist threats. He also made a resolute commitment to fight terrorism.

4. "We know the bitter string of terrorism, which is real," Biden said, as he referred to the terrorist attack in Afghanistan last month that killed "13 American heroes and almost 200 innocent Afghan civilians".

5. Passing on a message to China without taking its name, Biden said US is not seeking a new Cold War. "The United States is ready to work with any nation that steps up to pursue peaceful resolution of shared challenges even if we have intense disagreement in other areas, because we'll all suffer the consequences of our failure to come together," he told world leaders in New York.

6. While talking about climate change issue, Biden echoed UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' warning about the imminent dangers of global warming, which he called "Code Red.

7. "US has set an ambitious new goal under the Paris Agreement on climate change to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50 per cent to 52 per cent below the 2005 levels by 2030 and a clean energy economy with net zero emissions by 2050," he said. 

8. In an attempt to reassure US' European allies, Biden said, "I prioritise rebuilding our alliance, revitalising our partnership and recognising that they are central and essential to America's enduring security and prosperity."

9. Speaking about Coronavirus pandemic, Biden said US is committed to providing the world with Covid-19 vaccines, adding that Washington would make more commitments in the fight against Covid-19 at the summit on Wednesday.

10. Biden downplayed the entire Afghanistan crisis saying that "we have ended 20 years of conflict" there "and as we close this period of relentless war, we're opening a new era of relentless diplomacy, of using the power of our development aid, invest in new ways of lifting people up around the world". 

(With inputs from IANS.)