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Donald Trump to give first speech to UN general assembly – live Donald Trump at UN: US may 'have no choice but to totally destroy North Korea' – live
(35 minutes later)
3.39pm BST
15:39
Trump briefly winds down his speech to speak about the need to empower “women entrepreneurs,” earning applause, before becoming angry again to talk about the US contributions to the UN.
He says the US carries an “unfair burden” with the resources it provides to the UN.
Trump then attacks Cuba and the government of Venezuela. He says people need to do more to address the situation there.
He begins the 34th minute of his speech with a critique of communism.
3.30pm BST
15:30
Trump’s speaks loudly again as he discusses the threat of international terrorism.
He says the US is working with its allies in the Middle East to “crush” terrorists.
“Our country has achieved more against Isis in the last eight months,” says Trump, then it has in the years before combined. It’s unclear what measure he is using for achievement.
He thanks Jordan, Turkey and Lebanon for hosting refugees.
“The United States is a compassionate nation,” he says, before launching into a defense of his government’s efforts to reduce the refugee cap in the US.
3.24pm BST
15:24
On Kim Jong-un: 'Rocket Man is on a suicide mission for him and his regime'
“Rocket Man is on a suicide mission for him and his regime,” says Trump, referring to Kim Jong-Un. He continues to say he hopes we don’t have to destroy North Korea.
He has moved on to Iran, saying the nuclear deal is “an embarrassment to the United States”.
Trump has been speaking for more than 20 minutes.
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3.20pm BST
15:20
'US may have no choice but to totally destroy North Korea'
He says the member states must work together to confront “rogue regimes”.
“If the righteous many do not confront the wicked few, then evil will triumph,” he says
14 minutes into the speech, Trump mentions North Korea, speaking about the death of American student Otto Warmbier after being detained by the North Korean government.
He says the “entire world” is threatened by the nuclear threat in North Korea.
“If it [the US] forced to defend itself or its allies, we will have no choice but to totally destroy North Korea,” Trump says.
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3.16pm BST
15:16
'We want harmony and friendship, not conflict and strife'
Trump says the United States will no longer be taken advantage of in deals it makes with other countries.
“Our citizens have paid the ultimate price to defend our freedom,” he says. They have also fought to defend other countries represented in the room, he says.
“It is an eternal credit to the American character,” that we have fought wars abroad but have not “sought territorial expansion” and not imposed our way of life on other people.
“We want harmony and friendship, not conflict and strife,” he says.
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3.14pm BST
15:14
Trump: I will always put America first
Trump speaks about protecting the rights given by God, emphasizing the word “God” and pausing before he continues.
“In America, we do not seek to impose our life on anyone,” he says but the US wants to shine as an example.
He says he was elected to give power to the people “where it belongs”.
“As president of the United States” he will always put America first, he says. He gets louder, saying that’s what all countries should do. He gets some claps for that remark.
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3.12pm BST
15:12
Trump talks about citizens needing to be able to achieve their dreams and for children to be able to live in a world without hate.
“The success of the United Nations depends on the independent strength of its members,” he says.
He acknowledges that all countries have different goals, but the “beautiful vision” that led to the creation of the UN allows people to work side-by-side. Trump has criticized the UN repeatedly in the past.
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3.08pm BST3.08pm BST
15:0815:08
Trump highlights breakthroughs in technology and medicine. Then says every day is filled with new threats.Trump highlights breakthroughs in technology and medicine. Then says every day is filled with new threats.
“Rogue regimes” support terrorists and threaten other countries.“Rogue regimes” support terrorists and threaten other countries.
“Authority and authoritarian powers seek to collapse” systems and alliances that “tiled the war toward freedom” after the second world war, he says.“Authority and authoritarian powers seek to collapse” systems and alliances that “tiled the war toward freedom” after the second world war, he says.
“We meet at a time of both immense promise and great peril,” he says.“We meet at a time of both immense promise and great peril,” he says.
Saying it’s up to “us” whether the world “is lifted to new heights” or “a valley of disrepair”.Saying it’s up to “us” whether the world “is lifted to new heights” or “a valley of disrepair”.
3.06pm BST3.06pm BST
15:0615:06
Trump begins speech to UN and touts US economy
US president Donald Trump is making his debut speech to the general assembly, saying it is a “profound honor” to represent the American people from his home city.US president Donald Trump is making his debut speech to the general assembly, saying it is a “profound honor” to represent the American people from his home city.
He expresses thanks to all the world leaders who have offered help and condolences in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma. Thankfully, he says, the US is doing well.He expresses thanks to all the world leaders who have offered help and condolences in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma. Thankfully, he says, the US is doing well.
The economy is at an “all-time high”. He says the country is experiencing job growth like it has not seen “in a very long time”.The economy is at an “all-time high”. He says the country is experiencing job growth like it has not seen “in a very long time”.
“Our military will soon be the strongest it has ever been,” he says.“Our military will soon be the strongest it has ever been,” he says.
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3.03pm BST3.03pm BST
15:0315:03
Temer speaks about international terrorism and organized crime. He speaks about the need for countries to commit to human rights.Temer speaks about international terrorism and organized crime. He speaks about the need for countries to commit to human rights.
“We reject racism,” Temer says. “We reject xenophobia in all its forms”.“We reject racism,” Temer says. “We reject xenophobia in all its forms”.
He expresses concern about the crisis in Venezuela and says Brazil stands with the people of Venezuela. “There is no more room for alternatives to democracy,” he says.He expresses concern about the crisis in Venezuela and says Brazil stands with the people of Venezuela. “There is no more room for alternatives to democracy,” he says.
Temer has just wrapped up, which means Trump is next on stage.Temer has just wrapped up, which means Trump is next on stage.
2.53pm BST2.53pm BST
14:5314:53
Brazil’s president Michel Temer is now addressing the general assembly.Brazil’s president Michel Temer is now addressing the general assembly.
“Today we certainly need the UN more than before, and I’m talking about a UN that is increasingly effective,” he says.“Today we certainly need the UN more than before, and I’m talking about a UN that is increasingly effective,” he says.
But, reform is still needed, Temer says. He wants the security council expanded.But, reform is still needed, Temer says. He wants the security council expanded.
He says protectionist countries threaten progress and development. “We reject exacerbated forms of nationalism,” Temer says.He says protectionist countries threaten progress and development. “We reject exacerbated forms of nationalism,” Temer says.
He expresses support for the Paris climate agreement and says Brazil is at the forefront with its “low-carbon economy”. He touts a reduction in deforestation in the Amazon rainforest.He expresses support for the Paris climate agreement and says Brazil is at the forefront with its “low-carbon economy”. He touts a reduction in deforestation in the Amazon rainforest.
Temer advocates for nuclear disarmament, saying Brazil has shown it could master nuclear weapons, but chooses not to have them.Temer advocates for nuclear disarmament, saying Brazil has shown it could master nuclear weapons, but chooses not to have them.
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2.43pm BST
14:43
Lajčák speaks about migration, which he acknowledges is a “divisive issue” and says another UN priority should be addressing international terrorism.
“The only way to succeed in both areas will be through choosing to focus on people, rather than rigidly sticking to our individual positions,” Lajčák says. “We need viable global frameworks, which can be implemented by people – and for people – in real time”.
He says the UN member states must adhere to the Paris climate agreement and work to protect human rights. He highlights the need for women’s leadership and rights as well as reform in the UN, which “should be opening its doors wider,” he says.
“We must strengthen our engagement with a wide variety of stakeholders, including regional and sub-regional organizations, civil society and the private sector,” Lajčák says. “We need to hear more young voices in this Hall”.
2.35pm BST
14:35
Lajčák: 'We spend too much money reacting to conflicts, not preventing them'
The president of the72nd session of the general assembly, Miroslav Lajčák is on stage. He begins by offering his condolences for the people of Dominica, which was devastated by a category 5 hurricane overnight.
Lajčák says his priorities are climate change, migration and inequality.
He speaks about the UN’s role in addressing global conflict. “Unfortunately, we are spending too much time and money reacting to conflicts, not preventing them,” Lajčák says.
The UN has the tools it needs to prevent conflict, Lajčák says, but “what we are missing are the conditions in which they can be properly used”.
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2.29pm BST
14:29
“Refugees, internally displaced persons and migrants are not the problem; the problem lies in conflict, persecution and hopeless poverty,” says Guterres. “Instead of closed doors and open hostility, we need to reestablish the integrity of the refugee protection regime and the simple decency of human compassion”.
He thanks the audience.
On DPRK, climate change and migration UNSG @antonioguterres presented a worldview completely at odds with @realDonaldTrump
.@antonioguterres mic drop by saying thank you in like 7 languages. This was an impressive debut speech.
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2.27pm BST
14:27
Guterres is now speaking at length about “human mobility”.
“Let us be clear: we do not only face a refugee crisis, we also face a crisis of solidarity,” he says.
He says every country has the right to protect its borders, but warns some countries are not being as friendly as they should be.
“I commend those countries that have shown hospitality for millions of displaced people,” Guterres says. The line receives a round of applause from the room.
“Migration should be an option, not a necessity,” he says.
He says tragedies in the Mediterranean will not end with more strict migration policies.
“Safe migration cannot be reserved for the global elite,” Guterres says. That line gets more fervent clapping.
2.21pm BST
14:21
“No one is winning today’s wars,” says Guterres, listing crises in Syria, Yemen, South Sudan and Afghanistan.
He advocates for specific responses to conflicts including the violence against Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar. He says the country’s government must provide “unhindered humanitarian access”.
Guterres also endorses the two-state solution in Israel and Palestine, saying it “is the only way forward”.
He highlights the threat of climate change, pointing to the devastating hurricanes in the Caribbean and US this month.
2.16pm BST
14:16
UN secretary-general: 'We must not sleepwalk our way into war'
The first priority Guterres lists is nuclear weapons.
He cites North Korea’s nuclear missile tests: “I condemn those test unequivocally.”
Guterres warns that the world “must not sleepwalk our way into war”.
Aside from the threat from North Korea, Guterres said all countries must “show a greater commitment to a world without nuclear weapons”.
The second priority he lists is terrorism. To confront this, nation’s must also address the underlying issues that cause people to radicalize, whether the perceived injustices of potential terrorists are real or not, Guterres said.
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2.10pm BST
14:10
United Nations secretary-general António Guterres is addressing the general assembly.
“Our world is in trouble, people are hurting and angry,” said Guterres. He explains that the world’s population is most concerned with inequality and climate change.
“Societies are fragmented, political discourse is polarized,” he says, continuing to highlight how divided society appears.
“We are a world in pieces, we need to be a world at peace,” Guterres said.
He is now outlining seven priorities for this UN general assembly.
2.04pm BST
14:04
The general debate is being called to order. You can watch the UN’s live stream here.
1.59pm BST
13:59
A reminder of the general debate rules: each nation’s representative is given 15 minutes to speak, though the lure of the international stage inspires many to extend their speeches beyond that allotment. The record for longest speech goes to Cuba’s former president Fidel Castro, who in 1960 held the podium for four hours and 29 minutes.
So, while the morning session is scheduled to conclude at 1pm ET for a lunch break, it’s safe to assume that it will extend past that hour.
The theme of this year’s general debate is: “Focusing on People: Striving for Peace and a Decent Life for All on a Sustainable Planet”.
The schedule for the morning session:
United Nations
Secretary-general, António Guterres
President of the72nd session of the general assembly, Miroslav Lajčák
Brazil
President Michel Temer
US
President Donald Trump
Guinea
President Alpha Condé
Switzerland
President Doris Leuthard
Slovakia
President Andrej Kiska
Nigeria
President Muhammadu Buhari
Czech Republic
President Miloš Zeman
France
President Emmanuel Macron
Liberia
President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf
Colombia
President Juan Manuel Santos Calderón
Tajikistan
President Emomali Rahmon
Zambia
President Edgar Chagwa Lungu
Lithuania
President Dalia Grybauskaitė
Qatar
Amir Sheikh Tamim b in Hamad Al - Than
Turkey
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
Israel
Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu
1.35pm BST
13:35
Hello and welcome
Welcome to our live coverage of the United Nations general assembly’s general debate, where world leaders will present their priorities to the international stage.
The session will open at about 9am local time in New York (2pm in London) with remarks by secretary-general António Guterres, who is hosting his first general assembly since taking up the UN’s top post in January.
As is customary, Brazil will be the first country to speak, followed immediately by US president Donald Trump, who has in the past called the UN “a club for people to get together, talk and have a good time”. He is expected to warn member states that they risk being “bystanders in history” if they do not mobilize to confront the threats of Iran and North Korea.
The morning session will continue with 15 other countries, including France, whose president Emmanuel Macron is also making his UNGA debut, but is expected to pitch a very different worldview than Trump. The French delegation is warning the US this week that quitting the Iran nuclear deal risks “spiraling proliferation”.
We’ll have live updates of today’s speeches here, with analysis from the Guardian’s team of experts, including world affairs editor, Julian Borger, who is reporting from the UN’s New York headquarters. As we wait for Guterres to take the stage, you can read Julian’s dispatches from yesterday’s UN meetings here:
Trump to UN: confront North Korea and Iran or risk being ‘bystanders in history’
France tells Trump that quitting Iran nuclear deal risks ‘spiral of proliferation’
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