The President’s Address to the UN General Assembly: Responsibility for our Common Future

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23RD, 2009 AT 9:44 AM
The President’s Address to the UN General Assembly: Responsibility for our Common Future
Posted by Denis McDonough
Ed. Note: Watch the speech live at 10:00 EDT through WhiteHouse.gov, or watch and discuss it with others through Facebook. [UPDATE: This event has now concluded.]

This morning, President Obama will deliver his first speech to the United Nations General Assembly. He will address his view of international cooperation in the 21st century and the need to move beyond old divisions to focus on the future. The President will lay out a new direction that he has set for American foreign policy and talk about our mutual responsibilities to make progress on several key priorities that will advance our common security and prosperity.

In his remarks, the President will talk about the fact that, in the year 2009, more than at any point in human history, the interests of all nations and peoples are shared. Specifically, he will put forward four pillars that are fundamental to the future that we want for our children in the 21st century: non-proliferation and disarmament; the promotion of peace and security; the preservation of our planet; and a global economy that advances opportunity for all people.

The President will acknowledge that we have reached a pivotal moment, and that the countries of the United Nations must embrace a new era of engagement based on mutual interest and mutual respect, and our work must begin now.

I hope you’ll take a moment to watch the President’s speech live on whitehouse.gov or read his remarks calling on all nations to join us in building a new chapter of international cooperation that recognizes the rights and responsibilities of all nations.


Denis Mcdonough is Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications