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Syria ceasefire not dead, says Kerry, as UN chief addresses general assembly – live Syria ceasefire not dead, says Kerry, as UN chief addresses general assembly – live
(35 minutes later)
3.46pm BST
15:46
The answer is not a rejection of global integration but working together so that the benefits of integration are broadly shared, says Obama. The cultural impacts of integration must be squarely addressed.
It starts by making the global economy work better and not just for those at the top.
Often those who have benefited the most from globalisation have often used their powers to undermine workers, says Obama. He refers to $8tn stashed away in tax havens.
A world in which 1% own as much as wealth as the other 99% will never be stable.
The US president says trade wars, market subsidies, an over-reliance on natural resources rather than innovation will make us poor.
We do not have to submit to “a soulless capitalism that benefits only the few”. The rights of workers must be respected, people should be invested in and there should be a strengthening of the safety net. Obama says he has pursued these policies in the US with “clear results”.
Last year, poverty in this country fell at the fastest rate in nearly 50 years.
It is not about punishing wealth but curbing the excesses of capitalism, says Obama.
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15:39
By many measures the world is safer and more prosperous than ever before says Obama, and yet there is much strife.
We must recognise that the same forces of globalisation that have pulled us together have also exposed deep fault lines.
We must go forward and not backward.
As imperfect as they are the principles of open markets, human rights, democracy are vital. The integration of our global economy as made things better for billions of people.
It means children have enough to eat, mothers don’t die in childbirth.
A person born today is more like to be healthy, live longer and have access to opportunity than at any time in history, says Obama
Despite the areas where “freedom remains in retreat” the number of democracies has increased. Social media has given people more ways to express themselves and hold leaders to account, the US president continues.
He condemns nationalism, also crude populism - sometimes from the far left but mostly from the right - and tribalism.
3.33pm BST
15:33
Here is Barack Obama, to applause.
He begins by recounting progress over the past eight years:
He also refers to progress in Colombia and Myanmar.
Obama highlights the framework to protect the world from climate change.
This is important work that has made a real difference to the lives of our people. It could not have happened without us working together.
And yet, he goes on, there is the global refugee crisis, a break down of “basic order” in the middle east, too many governments muzzling critics.
This is the paradox that defines our world today.
3.28pm BST
15:28
Another important segment from Ban Ki-Moon’s final address to the UN general assembly was the regret he expressed over sexual abuse by UN peacekeepers in Central African Republic and an outbreak of cholera in Haiti.
He said that these two matters had “tarnished the reputation of the United Nations and, far worse, traumatised many people we serve.”
The United Nations has promised to crack down on abuses after dozens of accusations of sexual abuse and exploitation by peacekeepers in Central African Republic, where UN troops assumed authority from African Union troops in September 2014. Ban said:
The despicable acts of sexual exploitation and abuse committed by a number of U.N. peacekeepers and other personnel have compounded the suffering of people already caught up in armed conflict, and undermined the work done by so many others around the world. Protectors must never become predators.
In Haiti, Ban is working on a new response to an outbreak of cholera. The country was free of cholera until 2010, when UN peacekeepers dumped infected sewage into a river.
Ban said:
I feel tremendous regret and sorrow at the profound suffering of Haitians affected by cholera. Let us work together to meet our obligations to the Haitian people.
He called it the “moral responsibility” of the UN to do so. A 2011 study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said U.N. peacekeepers from Nepal, where cholera is endemic, were the likely cause of the outbreak.
Since then, more than 9,000 people have died of the disease that causes uncontrollable diarrhea and 800,000 people have fallen ill, mostly in the first two years of the outbreak.
3.19pm BST3.19pm BST
15:1915:19
And here he is:And here he is:
Better late than...#UNGA pic.twitter.com/3TFGktvt3SBetter late than...#UNGA pic.twitter.com/3TFGktvt3S
3.14pm BST3.14pm BST
15:1415:14
Here is the fashionably late president:Here is the fashionably late president:
POTUS arriving now at #UNGA pic.twitter.com/KM5QgZhrOYPOTUS arriving now at #UNGA pic.twitter.com/KM5QgZhrOY
3.13pm BST3.13pm BST
15:1315:13
The United Nations and Arab League envoy to Syria, Staffan de Mistura, has echoed John Kerry in saying the ceasefire is not dead but warned that it is “in danger”.The United Nations and Arab League envoy to Syria, Staffan de Mistura, has echoed John Kerry in saying the ceasefire is not dead but warned that it is “in danger”.
UN envoy de Mistura on #Syriaceasefire 1/ The ceasefire is not dead. That I can tell you. It was confirmed by everyone around the table....UN envoy de Mistura on #Syriaceasefire 1/ The ceasefire is not dead. That I can tell you. It was confirmed by everyone around the table....
De Mistura: 2 The ceasefire is in danger. The ceasefire has been seriously affected but the only ones who can announce the ceasefire is deadDe Mistura: 2 The ceasefire is in danger. The ceasefire has been seriously affected but the only ones who can announce the ceasefire is dead
De Mistura 3/ are the two co-chairs and they have today not done so. They want to give it another chance.De Mistura 3/ are the two co-chairs and they have today not done so. They want to give it another chance.
And here are Julian’s thoughts:And here are Julian’s thoughts:
#Syriaceasefire now continues a zombie existence in the hotel lobbies of New York, having died violently in Syria.#Syriaceasefire now continues a zombie existence in the hotel lobbies of New York, having died violently in Syria.
3.08pm BST3.08pm BST
15:0815:08
Apparently, Barack Obama is still on his way so the speaker who was due to be after the US president is going to swap places with him and is at the podium now. It’s the president of Chad, Idriss Déby.Apparently, Barack Obama is still on his way so the speaker who was due to be after the US president is going to swap places with him and is at the podium now. It’s the president of Chad, Idriss Déby.
2.59pm BST2.59pm BST
14:5914:59
Julian has more from the Syria meeting, this time from the UK foreign secretary:Julian has more from the Syria meeting, this time from the UK foreign secretary:
.@BorisJohnson on #Syria meeting Very difficult indeed, but the mood of meeting was that nobody wants to give this thing up../1.@BorisJohnson on #Syria meeting Very difficult indeed, but the mood of meeting was that nobody wants to give this thing up../1
.@BorisJohnson on #Syriaceasefire: "The Kerry-Lavrov process is the only show in town and we have to get that show back on the road.".@BorisJohnson on #Syriaceasefire: "The Kerry-Lavrov process is the only show in town and we have to get that show back on the road."
Reuters reports that the French foreign minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, said that today’s meeting was dramatic and that he’s not about to say the ceasefire will be saved. He proposed a wider mechanism to monitor the ceasefire, saying it could not just be a US-Russian effort.Reuters reports that the French foreign minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, said that today’s meeting was dramatic and that he’s not about to say the ceasefire will be saved. He proposed a wider mechanism to monitor the ceasefire, saying it could not just be a US-Russian effort.
2.46pm BST2.46pm BST
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Syria ceasefire 'not dead'Syria ceasefire 'not dead'
More news on Syria from the support group meeting. Despite recent events, members are not yet prepared to say the ceasefire has failed:More news on Syria from the support group meeting. Despite recent events, members are not yet prepared to say the ceasefire has failed:
Kerry: the #Syriaceasefire is not dead. We are going to meet on Friday to decide on some specific steps.Kerry: the #Syriaceasefire is not dead. We are going to meet on Friday to decide on some specific steps.
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at 2.49pm BSTat 2.49pm BST
2.45pm BST2.45pm BST
14:4514:45
Meanwhile, as the International Syria Support Group, whose members include the US and Russia meet, Russia claims that there was no attack on a UN aid convoy yesterday but that it “caught fire”. From Reuters:Meanwhile, as the International Syria Support Group, whose members include the US and Russia meet, Russia claims that there was no attack on a UN aid convoy yesterday but that it “caught fire”. From Reuters:
The Russian Defence Ministry on Tuesday rejected assertions that an aid convoy near Aleppo had been shelled or struck from the air, saying it believed it had caught fire instead, the Interfax news agency cited spokesman Igor Konashenkov as saying.The Russian Defence Ministry on Tuesday rejected assertions that an aid convoy near Aleppo had been shelled or struck from the air, saying it believed it had caught fire instead, the Interfax news agency cited spokesman Igor Konashenkov as saying.
It quoted Konashenkov, commenting on the incident which occurred on Monday, as saying that only the White Helmets civil defence rescue group could answer who was responsible and why.It quoted Konashenkov, commenting on the incident which occurred on Monday, as saying that only the White Helmets civil defence rescue group could answer who was responsible and why.
Konashenkov was cited as saying that the White Helmets were close to the militant group formerly known as the Nusra Front.Konashenkov was cited as saying that the White Helmets were close to the militant group formerly known as the Nusra Front.
The Syrian government has also denied responsibility.The Syrian government has also denied responsibility.
About 20 people were killed according to the International Committee of the Red Cross.About 20 people were killed according to the International Committee of the Red Cross.
The US has said Russia must bear responsibility for the attack on the convoy, regardless of whether Russian planes were involved.The US has said Russia must bear responsibility for the attack on the convoy, regardless of whether Russian planes were involved.
2.36pm BST2.36pm BST
14:3614:36
I did say Bocelli would be a hard act to follow.I did say Bocelli would be a hard act to follow.
No standing ovation for Ban Ki moon. Andrea Bocelli still the only person to get oneNo standing ovation for Ban Ki moon. Andrea Bocelli still the only person to get one
2.34pm BST2.34pm BST
14:3414:34
Ban suggests that the UN president and his successor should look into ways to improve decision making.Ban suggests that the UN president and his successor should look into ways to improve decision making.
He refers to countries exercising vetoes and “holding the world to hostage on so many important issues”.He refers to countries exercising vetoes and “holding the world to hostage on so many important issues”.
There have been a number of vetoes on Syria, by Russia and China.There have been a number of vetoes on Syria, by Russia and China.
Ban says that when he came to office a smartphone was not available but now it is a “lifeline” for many people.Ban says that when he came to office a smartphone was not available but now it is a “lifeline” for many people.
Despite being misused by extremists smartphones they can be of great value in making the world a better place, he says.Despite being misused by extremists smartphones they can be of great value in making the world a better place, he says.
Our phones and social media have connected the world.Our phones and social media have connected the world.
Ban concludes.Ban concludes.
2.26pm BST2.26pm BST
14:2614:26
My colleague Julian Borger questions Ban’s claim about appointing more women than ever before to senior problems:My colleague Julian Borger questions Ban’s claim about appointing more women than ever before to senior problems:
At #UNGA, Ban Ki-moon claims to have appointed more women to senior positions than ever before. Fact-check: https://t.co/dNIWEQsdceAt #UNGA, Ban Ki-moon claims to have appointed more women to senior positions than ever before. Fact-check: https://t.co/dNIWEQsdce
2.25pm BST2.25pm BST
14:2514:25
Ban says he has appointed more women to senior positions than ever before. To applause he says:Ban says he has appointed more women to senior positions than ever before. To applause he says:
I’m proud to call myself a feminist. Women hold up half the sky.I’m proud to call myself a feminist. Women hold up half the sky.
More must be done to tackle chronic violence against women and improve their participation in decision-making.More must be done to tackle chronic violence against women and improve their participation in decision-making.
He is talking about a range of achievements, including in-roads against the death penalty, the international criminal court.He is talking about a range of achievements, including in-roads against the death penalty, the international criminal court.
Ban urges those present to say “No” to cracking down against freedom of assembly and expression. One would imagine Turkey is on the list of countries he is thinking of.Ban urges those present to say “No” to cracking down against freedom of assembly and expression. One would imagine Turkey is on the list of countries he is thinking of.
2.18pm BST2.18pm BST
14:1814:18
Here is the quote that could be seen as criticism of Donald Trump, as well as other right wing politicians:Here is the quote that could be seen as criticism of Donald Trump, as well as other right wing politicians:
"All too often, refugees and migrants face hatred." Ban Ki-moon to world leaders at #UNGA https://t.co/D17Ok7Vo6h pic.twitter.com/48g0opywDp"All too often, refugees and migrants face hatred." Ban Ki-moon to world leaders at #UNGA https://t.co/D17Ok7Vo6h pic.twitter.com/48g0opywDp
2.17pm BST2.17pm BST
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Ban calls on all with influence to end the fighting.Ban calls on all with influence to end the fighting.
The future of Syria should not rest on the fate of a single man.The future of Syria should not rest on the fate of a single man.
He says the prospects of a two-state solution in Israel/Palestine diminish by the day.He says the prospects of a two-state solution in Israel/Palestine diminish by the day.
Ban also cites problems in North Korea, Ukraine, South Sudan, and urges leaders to serve their people and not pilfer resources.Ban also cites problems in North Korea, Ukraine, South Sudan, and urges leaders to serve their people and not pilfer resources.
In comments that seem aimed at Donald Trump, he refers to the demonisation of Muslims that he says has haunting echoes of the past, urging politicians to be wary of hateful rhetoric.In comments that seem aimed at Donald Trump, he refers to the demonisation of Muslims that he says has haunting echoes of the past, urging politicians to be wary of hateful rhetoric.
Ban also cites places where he says prospects are more positive, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Colombia and Cyprus.Ban also cites places where he says prospects are more positive, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Colombia and Cyprus.
UpdatedUpdated
at 2.38pm BSTat 2.38pm BST