new york –
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is set to attend the opening ceremony of the 79th United Nations General Assembly, where U.S. President Joe Biden is due to speak, as tensions in the Middle East and Russia’s war in Ukraine overshadow the global gathering.
It will be the president’s last time addressing the General Assembly, and administration officials have said privately that it will reflect Biden’s vision for the world working together to solve problems.
The official said Biden pledged to restore American leadership on the world stage when he took office nearly four years ago, and that the speech was an opportunity to talk about how that pledge has paid off.
Biden withdrew from the US presidential race in July amid growing concerns about his intellectual acuity and ability to win following his disastrous debate defeat against former Republican President Donald Trump.
Vice President Kamala Harris has emerged as the top Democratic candidate ahead of a fierce battle for the White House in November.
Trump has often campaigned on the idea of ​​retreating from a U.S. role on the global stage, but Biden officials say the president’s address to the annual gathering of world leaders at the United Nations will make clear why that’s the wrong approach.
Meanwhile, Trudeau arrived in New York on Sunday to address the Future Summit, where he said leaders could choose to either turn a blind eye to reality or come together to face global challenges.
He is due to hold desk talks with Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley on Tuesday ahead of talks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Trudeau will attend high-level meetings on innovating for a sustainable future and combating extremism, and is scheduled to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Zelenskiy is due to address a special session of the UN Security Council on Tuesday about Russia’s continuing aggression against the country. He is due to address the General Assembly again the following morning.
Russia is a permanent member of the Security Council and has been heavily criticized for its aggression against Ukraine in violation of the UN Charter.
While Zelenskiy played a central role at the UN last year, the Middle East conflict has also been a major topic at the annual meeting this year.
Iran’s new president, Masoud Pezeshkian, is due to address world leaders on Tuesday afternoon, while Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are due to speak on Thursday.
Biden officials noted that the global environment has become more challenging over the past year, underscoring the need for partnerships.
“We need to continue to work together,” the official said.
Trudeau has spent much of his time in New York urging world leaders to think about the future. In his speech at the Future Summit, he called on leaders to come together and adopt the “Future Pact,” a 42-page blueprint for tackling the wide range of global challenges of the 21st century.
The agreement was ultimately approved but faced strong opposition from Russia, Saudi Arabia and other countries, who objected to some of the language on issues such as climate change and reform of international financial institutions.
Trudeau also spoke of future generations, urging leaders to do more to help stabilize Haiti at a time when the Caribbean nation is facing hunger, displacement and violence fuelled by gangs emboldened by political turmoil.
“We have to make sure that a better, brighter future is provided for everyone, especially the next generation of Haitians,” Trudeau said Monday at a high-level meeting of the U.N. advisory group on Haiti.
After Trudeau returns to Canada, Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly will deliver a Canadian national statement at the UN General Assembly. The speech will highlight “Canada’s commitment to advancing multilateral cooperation, human rights, democracy and the rule of law,” according to a news release from her office.
Trudeau’s government is expected to face its first test in the House of Commons this week since the NDP terminated its supply and confidence agreement with the Liberals.
Conservative leader Pierre Poirievre said he planned to table a motion saying the House of Commons had no confidence in the government or the prime minister.
The New Democrats and the Bloc Quebecois have indicated they intend to vote against the Conservatives, which would rule out any possibility of early elections.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 24, 2024.
