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| Theresa May to give debut address to UN general assembly – live | Theresa May to give debut address to UN general assembly – live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 7.58pm BST | |
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| In a dramatic display of Latin America’s political divisions, the delegations of Venezuela, Cuba, Bolivia, Ecuador and Nicaragua walked out during Brazilian President Michel Temer’s speech at the U.N. General Assembly, according to the Associated Press. | |
| Venezuela’s U.N. Ambassador Rafael Ramirez told the AP today that Temer is “an illegitimate president, the product of a coup d’etat. We do not recognize him.” | |
| Ecuadorean diplomat Carola Iniguez says her country’s delegation walked out “to protest the political situation in Brazil.” | |
| Temer became Brazil’s president following the ouster of Dilma Rousseff by the Senate over accusations of fiscal mismanagement. | |
| In his speech, Temer defended the impeachment process, insisting it was an example of democracy at work. He said: “impeaching a president is certainly not a trivial matter in a democratic regime. But there is no democracy without rule of law without rules applicable to all, including the most powerful. This is what Brazil is showing the world.” | |
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| Now Erdoğan is calling for reform of the Security Council. “What about the other countries around the world? We ignore them,” he says. “The representative nature of the security council should be effective so that the security council could be more just and fair.” | |
| 7.44pm BST | |
| 19:44 | |
| Erdoğan says that Turkey is now home to 2.7m refugees, and he hits out at countries who turn refugees away. | |
| “The rest of the world may not but we will keep on admitting them, because they are human being. We will keep our doors open, and we will keep our doors open in the future.” | |
| The international community has failed its humanitarian values. | |
| It is notable that Erdoğan is mentioning Kurdish separatist groups such as the PKK in the same lists as groups like Isis. | |
| This is a fraught topic; Turkey is an ally of the coalition against Isis, but so is Kurdistan, the autonomous northern region in Iraq that is home to the de facto Kurdish state - but Turkey is also home to a large number of Kurds, and the Turkish military has often engaged in fierce fighting with Kurdish separatists within south-eastern Turkey. | |
| 7.35pm BST | |
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| “Within the first quarter of the 21st century, mankind has reached the peak in science, economy, development and health,” Erdoğan begins. “However, this achievement conceals a dark face. In Syria, Iraq, and counties in the grip of terrorism around the world, hundreds of thousands of children, young, and elderly, are killed. Refugees running from oppression face derading treatment in many european cities.” | |
| “It’s nigh time to show leadership with a sense of responsibility in addressing these problems in a determined fashion.” | |
| Now he turns to the coup, which he describes as being orchestrated by a “terrorist organisation”. | |
| This coup attempt was successfully repelled by our nation, protected heroically her democracy, govt, freedoms, future and const order. That’s why I take pride in my nation as my nation defeated this heinous coup attempt by risking their lives, and for a period of 29 days they never abandoned the squares around Turkey. | |
| They threw their bodies in front of the tanks. They showed a very noble stance. If I stand here today before you it is thanks to our nation’s brave stance. | |
| 7.25pm BST | |
| 19:25 | |
| Turkey’s controversial president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is due to speak next. | |
| His appearance comes just over a month after a failed coup attempt by a group of army officers against Erdoğan’s administration, which was brutally put down. One fraught issue that might come up is that of influential US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen. | |
| The Turkish president told Reuters in an interview on Monday that the United States should “not harbor a terrorist” like Gulen and that his activities should be banned worldwide: | |
| Erdogan said Washington had “no excuse” for keeping Gulen, a former Erdogan ally who Turkish officials say has built up a network of followers over decades inside the armed forces and civil service to take over Turkey. | |
| “If the U.S. is our strategic ally and our NATO partner ... then they should not let a terrorist like Gulen run his organization,” Erdogan said, in an interview on the sidelines of the annual gathering of world leaders at the United Nations. | |
| Erdogan said an initial three months state of emergency, declared in the wake of the coup, could be extended if necessary. | |
| Critics say extending the state of emergency will give Erdogan a freer hand to limit or suspend freedoms, to bypass the parliament as well as taking swift measures against his opponents. | |
| Updated | |
| at 7.26pm BST | |
| 7.11pm BST | 7.11pm BST |
| 19:11 | 19:11 |
| “Our generation is the first not to live through a world war,” says Johann Schneider - Ammann, president of Switzerland. | “Our generation is the first not to live through a world war,” says Johann Schneider - Ammann, president of Switzerland. |
| He contrasts technological achievements in solar power and combating climate change with the thousands of migrants dying in the Mediterranean as the best and the worst of this new world. | He contrasts technological achievements in solar power and combating climate change with the thousands of migrants dying in the Mediterranean as the best and the worst of this new world. |
| “We have equipped ourselves with tools for building a better world,” he says. “It is time for us to take up those tools.” | “We have equipped ourselves with tools for building a better world,” he says. “It is time for us to take up those tools.” |
| 6.55pm BST | 6.55pm BST |
| 18:55 | 18:55 |
| Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein, King of Jordan, is giving a very powerful speech about the battle against extremism. | Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein, King of Jordan, is giving a very powerful speech about the battle against extremism. |
| “I find myself stating the obvious again and again,” he says. | “I find myself stating the obvious again and again,” he says. |
| False perceptions of Muslims will fuel a global struggle by polarising factions east and west, driven deeper into hatred and intolerance. | False perceptions of Muslims will fuel a global struggle by polarising factions east and west, driven deeper into hatred and intolerance. |
| Muslims, a quarter of the world’s population, citizens of every country, have a central role in the future of our planet. Muslim men and women brign a rich heritage of civic responsibility, justice, gen, family life, and a faith in god. | Muslims, a quarter of the world’s population, citizens of every country, have a central role in the future of our planet. Muslim men and women brign a rich heritage of civic responsibility, justice, gen, family life, and a faith in god. |
| When others exclude Muslims from fulfilling their role by prejudice or ignorance of what Islam is, or on the other hand when the outlaws of Islam ... attempt to mislead some Muslims by deforming our religion through false teachings, our society’s future is put at risk. | When others exclude Muslims from fulfilling their role by prejudice or ignorance of what Islam is, or on the other hand when the outlaws of Islam ... attempt to mislead some Muslims by deforming our religion through false teachings, our society’s future is put at risk. |
| “Ladies and gentlemen, this is a battle that we must fight together,” he adds. “Let me state clearly that these radical groups do not exist on the fringes of Islam. They are altogether outside of it. They declare the civilized world as the enemy.” | “Ladies and gentlemen, this is a battle that we must fight together,” he adds. “Let me state clearly that these radical groups do not exist on the fringes of Islam. They are altogether outside of it. They declare the civilized world as the enemy.” |
| He calls for an end to violence in Syria, led by a global coalition. | He calls for an end to violence in Syria, led by a global coalition. |
| 6.41pm BST | 6.41pm BST |
| 18:41 | 18:41 |
| Rowena Mason | Rowena Mason |
| Theresa May is set to be the penultimate speaker in the morning session of the General Assembly, and all eyes will be on the new prime minister as she faces the United Nations for the first time since the UK voted to leave the European Union in June. | Theresa May is set to be the penultimate speaker in the morning session of the General Assembly, and all eyes will be on the new prime minister as she faces the United Nations for the first time since the UK voted to leave the European Union in June. |
| She will use her maiden speech at the United Nations to warn that it must work hard to remain relevant as too many people feel left behind by globalisation, reports Rowena Mason in New York. | She will use her maiden speech at the United Nations to warn that it must work hard to remain relevant as too many people feel left behind by globalisation, reports Rowena Mason in New York. |
| Speaking at the general assembly on Tuesday, she will draw attention to the British people’s decision to vote to leave the EU, arguing that they want a “politics that is more in touch with their concerns, and bold action to address them”. | Speaking at the general assembly on Tuesday, she will draw attention to the British people’s decision to vote to leave the EU, arguing that they want a “politics that is more in touch with their concerns, and bold action to address them”. |
| The prime minister will argue that there is still a crucial role for international bodies such as the UN, even as people are wary of globalisation, but she will warn that it must modernise to meet the challenges of mass migration, modern slavery and terrorism. “We must recognise that for too many of those men and women, the increasing pace of globalisation has left them feeling left behind,” she will say. | The prime minister will argue that there is still a crucial role for international bodies such as the UN, even as people are wary of globalisation, but she will warn that it must modernise to meet the challenges of mass migration, modern slavery and terrorism. “We must recognise that for too many of those men and women, the increasing pace of globalisation has left them feeling left behind,” she will say. |
| “The challenge for those of us in this room is to ensure our governments and our global institutions, such as this United Nations, remain responsive to the people that we serve. That we are capable of adapting our institutions to the demands of the 21st century.” | “The challenge for those of us in this room is to ensure our governments and our global institutions, such as this United Nations, remain responsive to the people that we serve. That we are capable of adapting our institutions to the demands of the 21st century.” |
| You can read the whole piece here. | You can read the whole piece here. |
| 6.28pm BST | 6.28pm BST |
| 18:28 | 18:28 |
| Ashifa Kassam | Ashifa Kassam |
| Canada’s prime minister Justin Trudeau is set to close out the morning session of the General Assembly, speaking immediately after Theresa May, according to the schedule. | Canada’s prime minister Justin Trudeau is set to close out the morning session of the General Assembly, speaking immediately after Theresa May, according to the schedule. |
| In the meantime, the Canadian government, with the United Nations and billionaire George Soros, is launching an initiative to help other countries implement a program that has allowed private citizens to bring hundreds of thousands of refugees to Canada in the past 35 years, reports Ashifa Kassam from Toronto. | In the meantime, the Canadian government, with the United Nations and billionaire George Soros, is launching an initiative to help other countries implement a program that has allowed private citizens to bring hundreds of thousands of refugees to Canada in the past 35 years, reports Ashifa Kassam from Toronto. |
| The country’s private sponsorship program, as it is known, enables groups of Canadians to settle refugees in exchange for a commitment to cover their expenses and provide help to the newcomers as they adjust to their new home. | The country’s private sponsorship program, as it is known, enables groups of Canadians to settle refugees in exchange for a commitment to cover their expenses and provide help to the newcomers as they adjust to their new home. |
| Some 13 countries – including the United Kingdom -- have expressed interest in implementing their own version of the program, John McCallum, Canada’s minister for immigration, refugees and citizenship said on Tuesday. “Every country’s circumstances are different but we believe this is a good model which is exportable to other countries,” he told reporters in New York City. “You are miles ahead if you can bring refugees in supported by our own citizens. Then they have a base from which to go. They have a welcome, rather than having refugees come in uninvited or illegally or alone.” | Some 13 countries – including the United Kingdom -- have expressed interest in implementing their own version of the program, John McCallum, Canada’s minister for immigration, refugees and citizenship said on Tuesday. “Every country’s circumstances are different but we believe this is a good model which is exportable to other countries,” he told reporters in New York City. “You are miles ahead if you can bring refugees in supported by our own citizens. Then they have a base from which to go. They have a welcome, rather than having refugees come in uninvited or illegally or alone.” |
| Australia launched a pilot of the program in 2013 and a similar initiative is being planned in the United Kingdom and New Zealand. Germany and Switzerland have both experimented with the idea while Spain and Japan are among the countries who have expressed interest in the program. | Australia launched a pilot of the program in 2013 and a similar initiative is being planned in the United Kingdom and New Zealand. Germany and Switzerland have both experimented with the idea while Spain and Japan are among the countries who have expressed interest in the program. |
| Canada will now work with the UN High Commission for Refugees and Soros’ Open Society Foundations to create training modules based on an analysis of the Canadian model as well as provide technical assistance to countries interested in adopting the program, said McCallum. | Canada will now work with the UN High Commission for Refugees and Soros’ Open Society Foundations to create training modules based on an analysis of the Canadian model as well as provide technical assistance to countries interested in adopting the program, said McCallum. |
| Private sponsorship was launched in Canada after the Vietnam war and has since brought in more than 275,000 refugees, including nearly 9,000 Syrian refugees, in addition to those brought in by government programs. Studies suggest the support of private citizens facilitates the settlement process, with privately-sponsored refugees reporting more success and integration than their government-sponsored counterparts. | Private sponsorship was launched in Canada after the Vietnam war and has since brought in more than 275,000 refugees, including nearly 9,000 Syrian refugees, in addition to those brought in by government programs. Studies suggest the support of private citizens facilitates the settlement process, with privately-sponsored refugees reporting more success and integration than their government-sponsored counterparts. |
| 6.13pm BST | 6.13pm BST |
| 18:13 | 18:13 |
| An interesting spot on Twitter by the New York Times’ UN correspondent Somini Sengupta: the Russian foreign ministry tweeted that, held up by US president Obama’s motorcade, Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov got out and walked the rest of the way to the General Assembly. | An interesting spot on Twitter by the New York Times’ UN correspondent Somini Sengupta: the Russian foreign ministry tweeted that, held up by US president Obama’s motorcade, Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov got out and walked the rest of the way to the General Assembly. |
| Manhattan traffic was blocked because of @BarackObama motorcade. #Lavrov decided not to wait in traffic jam & headed to @UN by walking pic.twitter.com/L4XVBsvU1d | Manhattan traffic was blocked because of @BarackObama motorcade. #Lavrov decided not to wait in traffic jam & headed to @UN by walking pic.twitter.com/L4XVBsvU1d |
| 6.02pm BST | 6.02pm BST |
| 18:02 | 18:02 |
| Hollande continues: | Hollande continues: |
| No county can say that it is immune to the threat of Islamic terrorism, which has claimed lost individuals within our countries and radicalised them. | No county can say that it is immune to the threat of Islamic terrorism, which has claimed lost individuals within our countries and radicalised them. |
| No wall can stop ... this scourge. Terrorism prospers from open conflicts that have for too long not been solved. Its brought a wave of refugees. It’s shaken the established order. ... the collective security that was the very principles of the UN. In the face of these dangers, France once again turns to the United Nations. | No wall can stop ... this scourge. Terrorism prospers from open conflicts that have for too long not been solved. Its brought a wave of refugees. It’s shaken the established order. ... the collective security that was the very principles of the UN. In the face of these dangers, France once again turns to the United Nations. |
| If we want to eradicate terrorism, if we want to act, then we need to take decisons. We can’t just talk about solidarity, we can’t just show passion. We need to take action. | If we want to eradicate terrorism, if we want to act, then we need to take decisons. We can’t just talk about solidarity, we can’t just show passion. We need to take action. |
| He says that | He says that |
| 5.55pm BST | 5.55pm BST |
| 17:55 | 17:55 |
| French president François Hollande is speaking now. | French president François Hollande is speaking now. |
| He is calling for a “2020 agenda for Africa” to bring electricity to all Africans to encourage sustainable growth and development, and reducing migration which, he says, produces instability in the countries to which the migrants go. | He is calling for a “2020 agenda for Africa” to bring electricity to all Africans to encourage sustainable growth and development, and reducing migration which, he says, produces instability in the countries to which the migrants go. |
| Then he moves on to Syria. | Then he moves on to Syria. |
| The Syrian tragedy will be seen as a disgrace to the international community if we do no tend it soon. Aleppo is a martyrd city. Thousands have died in bombing. Humanitarian convoys have been attacked. Chemical weapons have been used. I have one thing to say here: this is enough.” | The Syrian tragedy will be seen as a disgrace to the international community if we do no tend it soon. Aleppo is a martyrd city. Thousands have died in bombing. Humanitarian convoys have been attacked. Chemical weapons have been used. I have one thing to say here: this is enough.” |
| The international community must compel the regime to peace, he says, or they will be complicit in the tragedy. | The international community must compel the regime to peace, he says, or they will be complicit in the tragedy. |
| France has four requests, he says. First, impose the ceasefire. Then ensure the immediate sending of aid to Aleppo. Then ensure that political negotiations resume; and finally punish the use of chemical weapons. “That is an issue of justice,” Hollande says. | France has four requests, he says. First, impose the ceasefire. Then ensure the immediate sending of aid to Aleppo. Then ensure that political negotiations resume; and finally punish the use of chemical weapons. “That is an issue of justice,” Hollande says. |
| 5.38pm BST | 5.38pm BST |
| 17:38 | 17:38 |
| Nicky Woolf here, taking over from my colleague Haroon Siddique. | Nicky Woolf here, taking over from my colleague Haroon Siddique. |
| Prime Minister Theresa May is expected to speak later today. Currently, Argentinian president Mauricio Macri is addressing the chamber. | Prime Minister Theresa May is expected to speak later today. Currently, Argentinian president Mauricio Macri is addressing the chamber. |
| He calls the refugee crisis a “major challenge”. | He calls the refugee crisis a “major challenge”. |
| “Though a year ago we made a commitment to not leave anybody behind, today the images we see pain us,” Macri says. “Reality calls for us to do more.” | “Though a year ago we made a commitment to not leave anybody behind, today the images we see pain us,” Macri says. “Reality calls for us to do more.” |
| He pledges that Argentina will ramp up the number of Syrian refugees it will take. | He pledges that Argentina will ramp up the number of Syrian refugees it will take. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 5.39pm BST | at 5.39pm BST |
| 4.58pm BST | 4.58pm BST |
| 16:58 | 16:58 |
| After that speech, in which he urged wealthy nations to do more to help refugees, Obama will be hosting a summit in New York dedicated to that very subject, where he hopes other countries will pledge more help. | After that speech, in which he urged wealthy nations to do more to help refugees, Obama will be hosting a summit in New York dedicated to that very subject, where he hopes other countries will pledge more help. |
| He stressed throughout his speech that it was only through co-operation that the world’s greatest challenges could be addressed, whether climate change, ending conflict or addressing the refugee crisis. In tandem he warned of the dangers of nationalism, intolerance and isolationism. | He stressed throughout his speech that it was only through co-operation that the world’s greatest challenges could be addressed, whether climate change, ending conflict or addressing the refugee crisis. In tandem he warned of the dangers of nationalism, intolerance and isolationism. |
| Obama also made it a robust defence of his record in office and that of the US generally, describing it as a rare superpower that has been prepared to work not only in its own interests. | Obama also made it a robust defence of his record in office and that of the US generally, describing it as a rare superpower that has been prepared to work not only in its own interests. |
| Not everyone will agree with that analysis but his references to the dangers of building walls may well have been intended as a warning of how he things might change if he is succeeded in the Oval Office by Donald Trump. | Not everyone will agree with that analysis but his references to the dangers of building walls may well have been intended as a warning of how he things might change if he is succeeded in the Oval Office by Donald Trump. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 5.05pm BST | at 5.05pm BST |