In his final address to the United Nations on Tuesday, President Joe Biden delivered a solemn farewell, using his decision to step out of the 2024 U.S. presidential race to highlight the global threat posed by leaders clinging to power.
“My fellow leaders, we must always remember, some things are more important than staying in power,” Biden remarked to applause during his speech at the UN General Assembly in New York.
The 81-year-old president urged global leaders to stand strong for democracy amid rising conflict and instability, advocating for continued support for Ukraine and peace efforts in the Middle East.
With just six weeks before a U.S. election that could potentially see Donald Trump return to the White House, Biden reflected on his decision not to run for a second term. “This summer, I faced a tough choice on whether to seek another term. Being president has been the greatest honor of my life, and there’s much I still want to achieve,” Biden said.
“But as much as I love the job, I love my country more. After 50 years of public service, I believe it’s time for a new generation of leadership to move the nation forward,” he added. “It’s the people that matter most.”
Biden withdrew from the race in July following a widely criticized debate performance against Trump, raising concerns about his mental sharpness. He has since endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee.
The world is watching the U.S. election closely, with many fearing a Trump victory could signal the return of his hardline foreign policies. Biden’s address aimed to reinforce his legacy while urging global leaders to safeguard it from potential reversal.
Reflecting on his decades in public service, Biden stated, “I’ve witnessed a remarkable sweep of history, and while we face crises, we must never forget that things can improve.”
He also acknowledged the difficult U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, remembering the U.S. troops killed in the process, whom he thinks about “every single day.”
Returning to a familiar theme, Biden quoted the Irish poet W.B. Yeats, remarking that while the “center cannot hold,” he still believes it can. The president even lightened the mood by joking, “I know I look like I’m only 40,” drawing laughter from the assembly.
Although Biden’s speech touched on broad themes, it offered few specifics on tackling major foreign policy challenges, which will be left to either Trump or Harris.
Biden cautioned against a potential “full-scale war” in Lebanon, without outlining specific steps to prevent it, while expressing concern over the escalating Gaza conflict between Israel and Hamas.
On Ukraine, Biden was more resolute, stating, “Putin’s war has failed,” and emphasized that Kyiv’s allies “cannot grow weary” in their support. He will host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House later in the week.
Biden also championed the importance of U.S. alliances, which he has sought to restore following Trump’s presidency, and participated in a joint event on the fentanyl crisis with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
As his term nears its end, Biden’s farewell to the UN reflects his broader efforts to “Trump-proof” his legacy. He recalled coming to power at a time of “crisis and uncertainty,” just days after pro-Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol.
Trump, who still falsely claims victory in the 2020 election, has refused to say whether he would accept the results if Kamala Harris wins the upcoming election.