Good morning, this is Kasmira. Yesterday, US president Joe Biden gave his last speech at the UN General Assembly, touting his country’s efforts on the global stage, from fighting climate change to providing crucial Covid vaccines to developing countries. But as our piece today shows, his administration’s engagement with multilateralism has not always lived up to this message.

At the Human Rights Council, Volker Türk calls for a cool down in Middle East escalation. And UN experts warn of a heightened crackdown by the Belarusian regime ahead of the elections next year.

Kasmira Jefford

25.09.2024

On our radar

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US president Joe Biden arrives in Geneva, one day prior to the US-Russia summit, 15 June 2021. (Keystone/Pool/Martial Trezzini)

What did Biden do for multilateralism and international Geneva? US president Joe Biden began his term with a series of milestone decisions signalling the country’s reengagement to the UN and multilateralism, rejoining key organisations in Geneva. But against a backdrop of conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, and cooperation made difficult by strategic global rivalries, he leaves behind him a mixed track record.

Geneva Solutions

Here's what else is happening

💥UN rights chief calls for diplomatic efforts to address Lebanon crisis. Volker Türk urged actors with any influence in the Middle East to do everything in their power to avert an escalation of hostilities as fire exchanges between Israel and Hezbollah stoke fears of all-out war.
Reuters (EN)
🇧🇾Climate of fear permeates repressive Belarusian society. A team of UN investigators warned that Alexander Lukashenko’s government is ramping up measures to quash dissent as the country braces for general elections next year.
Voice of America (EN)
🤝Switzerland must regain the initiative in its diplomacy. Switzerland has just allowed itself to be ordered to hold a diplomatic conference on Israel's obligations in the occupied Palestinian territories, highlighting the passivity of the Swiss foreign ministry, writes François Nordmann.
Le Temps (FR)
🦠Aid sector needs ‘paradigm shift’ to meet AMR threat. Pathogens resistant to drugs are spreading in conflict-struck settings, making it harder to treat infections, experts from health aid groups like Médecins Sans Frontières warned ahead of a key meeting on the topic in New York at the UN General Assembly.
The New Humanitarian (EN)

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