Joe Biden says US must 'accelerate the climate crisis' in latest embarrassing gaffe
Joe Biden in New York for the UN General Assembly
REUTERS
Joe Biden has said the United States must work with China on “accelerating the climate crisis” in yet another gaffe.
The US President, 80, was the second world leader to address the delegation on Tuesday morning.
Biden’s 26-minute speech was flooded with many of the mishaps he has become increasingly known for.
He said: “We stand ready to work together with China on issues where progress hinges on our common efforts.”
Biden added: “Nowhere is that more critical than accelerating the climate crisis.”
In an attempt to correct himself, America’s 46th Commander-in-Chief said: “Than the accelerating climate crisis.”
Biden also describes heatwaves and wildfires as an “existential threat” of climate change.
He added: “These snapshots tell an urgent story of what awaits us if we fail to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.”
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Joe Biden delivered his speech to a full house in New York
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Chinese leader Xi Jinping missed the UN meeting and instead sent Vice President Han Zheng.
But French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also skipped the event.
Biden was scheduled to meet UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres after his speech.
He will also attend a summit with leaders from Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
Donald Trump addresses the Pray Vote Stand Summit, organized by the Family Research Council in Washington
REUTERS
Climate change was not the only issue on Biden’s agenda, with the US President putting pressure on other countries to support Ukraine.
Biden called it “an illegal war of conquest” and one that was “brought without provocation” by Russia into Ukraine.
Former President Donald Trump claimed “nobody” showed up to watch Biden’s “surrender” speech.
However, the room appeared packed for his White House successor.
Trump, who is hoping to take on Biden at next year’s election, also said: “No respect for America any longer!”