Sep 23, 2009, 16:26 GMT
New York/Washington - US President Barack Obama called for a 'new era of engagement' in the world on Wednesday and urged all nations to confront global challenges based on mutual interests and respect.
United States President Barack Obama speaks during the 64th General Debate of the United Nations General Assembly at United Nations headquarters in New York, New York, USA on 23 September 2009. EPA/JUSTIN LANE
Speaking for the first time before the UN General Assembly, Obama said world leaders must take on a greater responsibility to address problems and promote security and can no longer wait for the United States to act alone.
'Because the time has come for the world to move in a new direction, we must embrace a new era of engagement based on mutual interest and mutual respect,' Obama said. 'And our work must begin now.'
'But make no mistake: This cannot solely be America's endeavor,' he added. 'Those who used to chastise America for acting alone in the world cannot now stand by and wait for America to solve the world's problems alone.'
Obama said he would never apologize for defending US interests and said it was time for the world to move beyond 'reflexive anti- Americanism, which, too often, has served as an excuse for collective inaction.'
Obama listed a number of actions that have already been undertaken by his young administration, including efforts to close the prison camp at Guantanamo Bay and a complete ban on the use of torture during the questioning of terrorist suspects.
Obama emphasized his administration's efforts to combat global warming, achieve peace in the Middle East, end the violence in Sudan, stabilize the world economy and confront Iran and North Korea over their nuclear ambitions.
Obama said that Iran and North Korea must be held 'accountable' for any nuclear activities outside of international norms while reaffirming his commitment to resolving the disputes diplomatically. He said Tehran and Pyongyang's nuclear activities threaten to destabilize the Middle East and East Asia.
'The world must stand together to demonstrate that international law is not an empty promise, and that treaties will be enforced. We must insist that the future not belong to fear,' Obama said.
Acknowledging that reaching a peace deal in the Israeli- Palestinian conflict 'will be difficult,' Obama said the world must put aside politics and get 'serious' about achieving a settlement.
Obama called on all UN members to recognize the legitimacy of Israel's existence while insisting the Jewish state respect the rights of Palestinians.
'The United States does Israel no favours when we fail to couple an unwavering commitment to its security with an insistence that Israel respect the legitimate claims and rights of the Palestinians,' Obama said.
Obama has declared reaching a peace settlement among his top foreign policy priorities and has invested a significant amount of effort to it.
'I know this will be difficult. But all of us must decide whether we are serious about peace, or whether we only lend it lip-service,' he said.
Obama held meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday. Under Obama, the United States and Israel have had a rare public disagreement over Obama's demands that Netanyahu halt settlement construction or expansion.
'To break the old patterns - to break the cycle of insecurity and despair - all of us must say publicly what we would acknowledge in private,' he said.
Obama also pledged to use US power to end the fighting in Sudan's Darfur region, where six years of fighting has left at least 300,000 dead and has taken a heavy toll on civilians.
'For, the most powerful weapon in our arsenal is the hope of human beings - the belief that the future belongs to those who build, not destroy; the confidence that conflicts can end, and a new day begin,' he said.
Obama's speech was interrupted several times by applause. Libyan leader Moamer Gaddafi and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad attended Obama's speech at the opening of the General Assembly.
Obama said the United States was devoted to halting the proliferation of dangerous materials while pledging to negotiate a treaty with Russia to reduce nuclear stockpiles.
Obama also called on rich nations to take a leading role in reducing greenhouse gases, the main culprit in global warming, but said developing countries must also take responsibility.
'Those wealthy nations that did so much damage to the environment in the 20th century must accept our obligation to lead, but responsibility does not end there,' he said.
'While we must acknowledge the need for differentiated responses, any effort to curb carbon emissions must include the fast-growing carbon emitters who can do more to reduce their air pollution without inhibiting growth,' he said.
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