Biden at the U.N.: 'Core Principles of the United States' for the U.N. Charter, and 'For One Day' for 'From Day One' (September 19, 2023)

Before President Joe Biden addressed the 78th U.N. General Assembly, the White House released excerpts of what he was supposed to say. “If we abandon the core principles of the UN Charter to appease an aggressor, can any member state feel confident that they are protected?” the prepared text read [2].

That is not quite what Biden said. “If we abandon the core principles of the United States [U.N. Charter; White House correction] to appease an aggressor, can any member state in this body feel confident that they are protected?” according to the official transcript [1].

The video above shows parts of the Sept. 19, 2023, address in New York. Biden “began his remarks at 10:16 am eastern” and the speech “ended at 10:44 am eastern,” the pool reported [5]. Quotes are from the official transcript and the prepared excerpts published by the American Presidency Project [1][2].

”For One Day [From Day One]”

A second line changed on the way to the podium. The prepared text said: “From day one of my Administration the United States has treated this crisis as the existential threat that it is, not only to us, but to all of humanity” [2].

Biden said: “For one day—for one day [from day one; White House correction], my administration, the United States, has treated this crisis as an existential threat from the moment we took office not only for us, but for all of humanity” [1].

”Accelerating the Climate Crisis”

On China, Biden offered cooperation. “But we also stand ready to work together with China on issues where progress hinges on our common efforts. Nowhere is that more critical than accelerating the climate crisis—than the accelerating climate crisis,” he said [1].

He added: “I’ve said, ‘We are for derisking, not decoupling with China,’” Biden said. “None of these partnerships are about containing any country” [1]. For what he said about China in Hanoi a week earlier, see HYGO News’ page on the Hanoi news conference.

”Keep Peace [Pace]”

The White House corrected two more passages. Biden said the world’s institutions “must be updated to keep peace [pace; White House correction] with the world” [1].

He described a new Atlantic partnership formed “after 2 [years of; White House correction] consultations and diplomacy” [1].

He also stumbled through a sentence on results. “Simply put, the 21st century—21st-century results are badly needed—are needed to move us along,” Biden said [1].

”Preserve—Persevere and Prevail”

Biden closed with a call to action that came out slightly scrambled. “The road ahead is long and difficult, but if we preserve—persevere and prevail, if we keep the faith in ourselves and show what’s possible,” he said. His last words: “Thank you for listening. You’re kind” [1].

”Russia Alone”

On Ukraine, Biden drew the room’s only applause during the speech. “The one time POTUS got applause during the speech was when he pledged to continue supporting Ukraine in the war against Russia. They also applauded when he concluded,” the pool reported [5].

“But Russia alone—Russia alone—bears responsibility for this war. Russia alone has the power to end this war immediately,” Biden said [1].

”Iran Must Never Acquire a Nuclear Weapon”

He also made a promise on Iran. “And we’re working with our partners to address Iran’s destabilizing activities that threaten regional and global security and remain steadfast in our commitment that Iran must never acquire a nuclear weapon,” Biden said [1].

”Israel’s Greater Normalization”

Biden also pointed to the India-Middle East-Europe corridor announced at the G20. “It demonstrates how Israel’s greater normalization and economic connection with its neighbors is delivering positive and practical impacts,” he said [1].

The Night Before

At a fundraiser at the St. Regis Hotel the evening before, Biden “joked about serving as senator for 360 (CQ) years,” the pool reported. “I would not have a career if it weren’t for the African American community,” he said, according to the pool report. “We’ve got a record to run on … and a country to save. That’s not hyperbole” [3].

By the Numbers

78th: session of the U.N. General Assembly [1].
4: bracketed White House corrections in the transcript of the speech [1].
2: prepared lines Biden delivered differently, per the released excerpts [1][2].
360: years Biden joked he had served as a senator, per the pool [3].
18 days: from the speech to the Hamas attack on Israel [4].
28 minutes: the length of the speech, per the pool [5].

What Happened Next

Hamas attacked Israel. On Oct. 7, 2023, Biden said: “The United States unequivocally condemns this appalling assault against Israel by Hamas terrorists from Gaza” [4].

Trump hit Iran’s nuclear sites. On June 21, 2025, President Donald Trump announced: “A short time ago, the U.S. military carried out massive precision strikes on the three key nuclear facilities in the Iranian regime: Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan” [6]. For more, see HYGO News’ page on Trump and Meloni on Iran.

For what happened to the $6 billion in Iranian funds freed that same September, see HYGO News’ page on Kirby and the Iran deal.