Obama's Speech at United Nations on Sudan

Remarks by the President in a Ministerial Meeting on Sudan

United Nations Headquarters, New York, New York

3:37 P.M. EDT


THE PRESIDENT: Good afternoon. Mr. Secretary General, on behalf of us all, thank you for convening this meeting to address the urgent situation in Sudan that demands the attention of the world.

At this moment, the fate of millions of people hangs in the balance. What happens in Sudan in the days ahead may decide whether a people who have endured too much war move forward towards peace or slip backwards into bloodshed. And what happens in Sudan matters to all of sub-Saharan Africa, and it matters to the world.

I want to thank Vice President Taha and First Vice President Kiir for being here.

To my fellow leaders from Africa, the Middle East, Europe and Asia -- your presence sends an unmistakable message to the Sudanese people and to their leaders that we stand united. The Comprehensive Peace Agreement that ended the civil war must be fully implemented. The referenda on self-determination scheduled for January 9th must take place -- peacefully and on time, the will of the people of South Sudan and the region of Abyei must be respected, regardless of the outcome.

We are here because the leaders of Sudan face a choice. It’s not the choice of how to move forward to give the people of Sudan the peace they deserve. We already know what needs to be done. The choice is for Sudanese leaders -- whether they will have the courage to walk the path. And the decision cannot be delayed any longer.

Despite some recent progress, preparations for the referenda are still behind schedule. Now, the vote is only a little more than a hundred days away. And tragically, as has already been referred to, a recent spike in violence in Darfur has cost the lives of hundreds of more people. Read the rest

Obama Speaks at United Nations General Assembly Meeting Lunch Video

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon cracks a couple of jokes.

Obama's Press Conference with PM Naoto Kan of Japan Video

Obama's Press Conference with Premier Wen Jiabao of China Video

Obama's Speech at United Nations Video Sept. 23

Transcript.

Obama's Schedule in NYC Sept 23

10:00 AM	The President addresses the United Nations General Assembly United Nations Building Open Press
11:00 AM	The President holds a bilateral meeting with Premier Wen Jiabao of China Waldorf Astoria Hotel Pool Spray at the Top
1:15 PM	The President attends a luncheon hosted by United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon United Nations Headquarters Pool Spray at the Top
3:50 PM	The President and the First Lady join President Bill Clinton to address the 2010 Annual Meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers Open Press
5:10 PM	The President holds a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Naoto Kan of Japan Waldorf Astoria Hotel Pool Spray at the Top
7:15 PM	The President and the First Lady host a reception in honor of heads of delegation attending the United Nations General Assembly Natural History Museum Closed Press

Obama Speaks on Global Poverty in NYC Video

Transcript:

Remarks by the President at the Millennium Development Goals Summit in New York, New York

United Nations Headquarters, New York, New York

4:49 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT: Good afternoon. Mr. Secretary General, fellow delegates, ladies and gentlemen.

In the Charter of this United Nations, our countries pledged to work for “the promotion of the economic and social advancement of all peoples.” In the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we recognized the inherent dignity and rights of every individual, including the right to a decent standard of living. And a decade ago, at the dawn of a new millennium, we set concrete goals to free our fellow men, women and children from the injustice of extreme poverty.

These are the standards that we set. And today, we must ask: Are we living up to our mutual responsibilities?

I suspect that some in wealthier countries may ask, with our economies struggling, so many people out of work, and so many families barely getting by, why a summit on development? And the answer is simple. In our global economy, progress in even the poorest countries can advance the prosperity and security of people far beyond their borders, including my fellow Americans.

When a child dies from a preventable disease, it shocks all of our consciences. When a girl is deprived of an education or her mother is denied equal rights, it undermines the prosperity of their nation. When a young entrepreneur can’t start a new business, it stymies the creation of new jobs and markets in that entrepreneur’s country, but also in our own. When millions of fathers cannot provide for their families, it feeds the despair that can fuel instability and violent extremism. When a disease goes unchecked, it can endanger the health of millions around the world. Read the rest

Obama's United Nations Toast