'Innocents in Both Israel, Gaza Going Through Hell': Biden's Top 5 Quotes From His Final UNGA Speech

New Delhi:  In his final address to the United Nations as US President, Joe Biden expressed hope that peace remains within reach in the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine. Speaking before the General Assembly, Biden urged global leaders to intensify diplomatic efforts, stressing the need for dialogue and collective action.

His appearance before the international body also offered Biden one of his last high-profile opportunities as president to make the case to keep up robust support for Ukraine, which could be in doubt if former President Donald Trump , who has scoffed at the cost of the war, defeats Vice President Kamala Harris in November. Still, Biden insisted that despite global conflicts, he remains hopeful for the future.

“I’ve seen a remarkable sweep of history," Biden said. “I know many look at the world today and see difficulties and react with despair but I do not. We are stronger than we think” when the world acts together, he stated.  

Top 5 Moments From Joe Biden 's Last UNGA Speech As US President

1. Innocents in both Israel and Gaza are 'going through hell':  "The world must not flinch from the horrors of October 7. Any country would have the right responsibility to ensure that such an attack can never happen again. Thousands of armed Hamas terrorists invaded a sovereign state, slaughtering and massacring more than 1200 people, including 46 Americans in their homes and at the music festival. In the despicable acts of sexual violence, 250 innocents were taken hostage. I've met with the families of those hostages. I've grieved with them. They're going through hell. Innocent civilians in Gaza are also going through hell. They did not ask for this war that Hamas started. I put forward with Qatar and Egypt to ceasefire and hostage deal. It's been endorsed by the UN Security Council. Now is the time for the parties that finalise terms, bring the hostages home and secure security for Israel and Gaza to free from Hamas' grip. Since October 7, we've also been determined to prevent a wider war that engulfs the entire region. Hezbollah unprovoked, joined the October 7 attack, launching rockets in Israel almost a year later. Too many on each side of the Israeli-Lebanon border remain displaced. Full-scale war is not in anyone's interest. Even a situation has escalated. A diplomatic solution is still possible. In fact, it remains the only path..."  

1. 'Putin's War Has Failed': "We stand firm against aggression, we will end the conflicts that are rising today... When Russia invaded Ukraine, we could have stood by merely protesting. But, VP Harris and  I understood that it was an assault and everything this institution was supposed to stand for. Our NATO allies and partners, 50 plus nations stood up as well. Most importantly Ukrainian people stood up... The good news is that Putin's war has failed.
2. Ukraine is still free:  Ukraine is still free. He (Putin) tried to weaken NATO but NATO is bigger, stronger and more united than ever before with two new members Finland and Sweden. The world now has another choice to make, will we sustain or support Ukraine to win this war and preserve its freedom, or look away from the aggression and a nation be destroyed? I know my answer, we can not look away and we will not let away our support for Ukraine, not till Ukraine wins for just endurable peace."
3. AI Going to Change Our Ways of Life: "We’ll see more technological change, I argue, in the next two to 10 years, we have in the last 50 years. Artificial intelligence is going to change our ways of life, our ways of work, our ways of war,” Biden said. He added that much of it “could make our lives better. But AI also brings profound risks, from deep fakes to disinformation to novel pathogens to bioweapons. what needs to do to manage this new technology. Nothing is certain about how AI will evolve or how it will be deployed", stated Biden.
4. It’s your people that matter the most: After years of emphasizing the significance of democracy and discussing the critical juncture he believes the world is facing, Biden urged global leaders to prioritize their citizens' well-being over personal ambitions. “My fellow leaders, let us never forget some things are more important than staying in power. It’s your people that matter the most. Never forget, we are here to serve the people, not the other way around. Because the future, the future, will be won by those who unleash the full potential of their people to breathe free, to think freely, to innovate, to educate, to live and love openly without fear. That’s the soul of democracy. It does not belong to any one country", said the US president.