Biden set to deliver first UNGA speech as president

Agency Report

The United Nations General Assembly’s annual debate is set to kick off with Joe Biden’s first speech as U.S President.

Tuesday’s session would also include speeches by leaders from Iran, Turkey, France and Switzerland, among others.

Unlike in 2020, when many of the contributions to the general debate took the form of speeches sent on video, numerous leaders have flown to New York, although with far smaller delegations than in the past.

Other contributions by representatives of the 193 member states would again be provided online.

Several events were also due to be held on the sidelines, including a high-level online summit on distributing vaccines against COVID-19 more fairly, which Biden is due to host on Wednesday.

Conflict, too, will be in focus, chiefly the situation in Afghanistan.

dpa/NAN