NEW YORK, Sept. 28 (UPI) — U.S. President Obama encouraged diplomacy and the strengthening of international rules Monday at the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“Seventy years after the founding of the United Nations, it is worth reflecting on what together the members of this body have helped to achieve,” Obama told U.N. members. “Out of the ashes of the Second World War, having witnessed the unthinkable power of the atomic age, the United States has worked with many nations in this assembly to prevent a third World War.”
Obama praised the efforts of the United Nations to improve human development, increase international cooperation and resolve crises, while also reducing poverty, and advancing democracy and individual liberties on “every continent.”
“Of course, there have been too many times when collectively we have fallen short of these ideals. Over seven decades terrible conflicts have claimed untold victims, but we have pressed forward — slowly, steadily — to make a system of international rules and norms that are better and stronger and more consistent,” Obama said.
Obama is expected to urge the leaders of all 193 U.N. member countries to seek democratic principles, pursue diplomacy, and support established international laws and institutions, while fighting against threats to their countries.
Speakers on Monday include Chinese President Xi Jinping, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.
Obama will likely address the recent Iranian nuclear deal as an example of international cooperation and principled diplomacy. He will also urge leaders to come together to support a political resolution in Syria, while also coupling military efforts in the fight against the Islamic State.
Cuban President Raul Castro will also speak Monday. The United States and Cuba recently reestablished diplomatic relations after decades of animosity.
The General Debate of the U.N. General Assembly will continue until Friday.
Comment count on this article reflects comments made on Breitbart.com and Facebook. Visit Breitbart's Facebook Page.