World faces ‘decisive decade’
US President Joe Biden yesterday pledged cooperation with allies through "a decisive decade for our world" in his first address to the United Nations.
His reassurances come amid tensions with allies over the US' Afghanistan withdrawal and a major diplomatic row with France over a submarine deal.
Biden campaigned on returning America to a global leadership role, which he reaffirmed yesterday. "I believe we must work together like never before," said the president.
Biden said the United States does not seek a "new Cold War," in a reference to relations with China.
"The United States is ready to work with any nation that steps up and pursues peaceful resolution to share challenges even if we have intense disagreement in other areas."
He vowed to pivot away from post-9/11 conflicts and take a global leadership role on crises from climate to the pandemic.
A sovereign and democratic Palestinian state is the "best way" to ensure Israel's future, he said. "We must seek a future of greater peace and security for all people of the Middle East."
He renewed offer to 'return to full' nuclear deal 'if Iran does the same'.
Biden also pledged to work with Congress to double funds by 2024 for helping developing nations deal with climate change to $11.4 billion per year, which would help achieve a global goal set more than a decade ago to mobilize $100 billion per year to support climate action in vulnerable countries.
Opening the UN General Assembly, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned of growing divisions between the United States and China and urged dialogue, reports AFP.
"I fear our world is creeping towards two different sets of economic, trade, financial and technology rules, two divergent approaches in the development of artificial intelligence -- and ultimately two different military and geopolitical strategies," Guterres said.
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro told the assembly that his country's environmental laws should serve as a model for the world, reinforcing his government's commitment to eliminating illegal deforestation, reports Reuters.
The far-right leader, who has pushed to open more of the Amazon rainforest to mining and agriculture, has come under criticism for surging deforestation under his government.
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