Biden, Duterte in the 76th UNGA

By Alex P. Vidal

“Whatever its flaws, the United Nations is still the only institution that brings together all the countries of the world. And it is the best forum for the United States to spur countries to act – and to hold them accountable when they don’t.”—Samantha Power

PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte was scheduled to speak in the 76^th session of the United Nations General Assembly (76thUNGA) here in New York City in a pre-recorded speech at around 4 o’clock in the afternoon on September 21 (September 22 in Philippine time), as his violent anti-drug campaign faces renewed scrutiny from the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Attendance in the assembly has been limited due to the global pandemic.

US President Joseph Biden will also address the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday (September 21 US time) for the first time as president as world leaders gather in New York City for the 76^th session of the UNGA.

Mr. Duterte’s speech at the 76th UNGA had been confirmed by Malacañang several days ago.

“President Duterte will advance Philippine positions on global issues of key concern, such as universal access to COVID-19 vaccines, climate change, human rights, including the situation of migrant workers and refugees, and international and regional security developments,” the Palace said in a statement.

This will be the second time the controversial Mr. Duterte will take part in the 193-member strong UNGA.

 

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In September 2020, the hard-hitting leader of the Philippines, who once threatened to withdraw from the UN, also addressed the world’s most important diplomatic stage for the first time.

Mr. Duterte’s first speech in 2020 followed years of verbal assault against the UN—its attached bodies, officials, and experts—over their criticism of the drug war and other human rights abuses against the Filipinos.

The UN meeting, meanwhile, comes as Mr. Biden faces outrage from France over a new submarine deal, looming safety concerns over COVID-19 and global vaccine rates and questions about the U.S. role in the world after the withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Here are five things to watch as Biden addresses and meets with his counterparts, as pointed out by The Hill.

The Biden administration set off a feud with one of its closest allies last week when it announced a trilateral partnership with the United Kingdom and Australia on nuclear-powered submarines.

The announcement infuriated the French, who withdrew their ambassadors from the United States and Australia after the new deal scuttled their own $66 billion deal with Australia.

 

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President Biden has reportedly requested a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron, a senior administration official said, but there was not one officially scheduled.

The French leader is not attending the U.N. gathering in-person.

“The president wants to communicate his desire to work closely with France in the Indo-Pacific and globally and to talk about specific practical measures that we can undertake together,” the Biden official said. “We understand the French’s position, we don’t share their view in terms of how this all developed.”

The focus of the call will be about “reaffirming” the U.S. commitment to its partnership with France.

But the administration has no intention of pulling back from the submarine deal.

Mr. Biden pledged during the 2020 campaign to restore allies’ faith in U.S. leadership, but the major rift with France will prove to be a test of that effort.

French officials have described the move as something former President Donald Trump would have done.

This week will mark the first time in two years world leaders will gather in-person for UNGA after last year’s event was upended by the coronavirus pandemic.

New York City health officials said ahead of the general assembly that delegates must show proof of vaccination to enter the general assembly hall.

But the policy will be tested by the likes of Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro, who is open about his refusal to take the vaccine.

He tested positive for COVID-19 in July 2020.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two dailies in Iloilo)