Image source, Reuters

Cuba just hosted the G77 + China meeting in Havana, and one of its key themes - of equity around the world - is the main focus of President Miguel Diaz-Canel's UN speech today.

He said the countries least responsible for climate change are bearing the brunt of its symptoms, while industrial countries do not lift their weight.

Diaz-Canel said debt was holding developing nations back from pursuing initiatives to improve living standards or climate-proof their countries and called for refinancing.

Madeline Halpert
At the UN General Assembly

I'm outside the UN General Assembly where delegates are making their way in and out of the building underneath the colourful flags of the UN. Many delegates are matching the scenery, clad in colourful scarves and dresses. Rather than taking a presidential motorcade like some heads of state, earlier today, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan - who's due to speak shortly - walked by the hordes of reporters outside to enter the assembly.

Last year, the Turkish President made headlines when he took a public stroll through Central Park and stopped to take photos and chat with New York City residents.

Image source, Reuters

Polish President Andrzej Duda has likened Russia's invasion of Ukraine to the invasion of Poland in 1939 by Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union.

He said the history of Poland stands as a testament to the flight for freedom, which persecution cannot overcome.

Duda says then, and now, there were "insane dreams of dominating others", but those days are over and can never return.

Image source, Reuters

Jordan's King Abdullah is next to speak, focusing on the rise of migrants and refugees.

In Jordan, most refugees come from Syria. King Abdullah says Jordan is a water-poor country, and this is getting worse with climate change.

His country is at capacity with resources such as water and cannot host a greater numbers of refugees.

He says Jordan is a microcosm for the greater Middle East region and calls on solutions to conflicts across the area.

The climate crisis is one of the key topics on the agenda at this year's meeting, after another summer of record-shattering temperatures and deadly environmental disasters.

Earlier, the Secretary General António Guterres called on governments, businesses, cities, financial institutions and individuals to do more to deal with it.

He wants member states to work harder to cut carbon emissions and put together a global financial package for those countries worst hit by climate change.

Any big pledges or changes will likely be carried forward to COP 28 - the UN’s climate summit - in the UAE later this year.

We've heard his sentiments echoed by several leaders so far, including Columbian President Gustavo Petro, who said the death throes of the fossil fuel industry would be hard, but necessary.

Sarah Smith
North America editor

Image source, Getty Images

Considering that Ukrainian President Zelensky was sitting in the hall, Joe Biden spent remarkably little time in his speech talking about Ukraine. But what he said was forthright and firm.

His message was the US will remain steadfast in its support, because fundamental principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and human rights must be defended. If Ukraine can be carved up by Russian aggression then no nation is secure, he said. The Ukrainian delegation, listening intently, clapped.

President Biden promised the US will continue to stand up to defend freedom. The same case he has to make to try to convince the American public and his increasingly skeptical Republican opponents that it is worth the billions of dollars the US is spending to support Ukraine’s defence.

Biden also clearly wanted to display the ways in which he sees the US leading global efforts to tackle climate change and poverty as well as Ukraine. Talking about new partnerships across the Indo-Pacific, Africa and the Middle East. Proclaiming a leadership role in all the most serious global challenges

Today’s address was a plea for all nations to live up to founding the principles of the United Nations. And a pitch for them to continue to see America as the world’s foremost defender of sovereignty, peace and prosperity.

We've just heard from Colombian President Gustavo Petro and Jordan's King Abdullah.

Around midday, local time, President Volodymyr Zelensky will address the assembly.

Some other countries that will speak today include: Qatar, South Africa and Switzerland - amongst others.

You can stream the speeches live at the top of this page.

Image source, EPA

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has just stepped out of the UN General Assembly to have a chat with the BBC about Joe Biden's speech.

He says he agrees with the sentiment of the president's remarks.

It's crucial the international community continues to condemn Russia and support Ukraine in the war, he says.

"If we don't stand up for Ukraine, then no nation in the world is safe," Stoltenberg tells the BBC.

Nobody knows how long this war will last, he says, but with the support of NATO and the international community, Ukraine has been able to push Russia back.

Stoltenberg also agrees with Biden on relations with China. He says China was not an adversary to NATO, but its growing relationship with Russia is a compelling reason to keep NATO strong.

After speaking for about 30 minutes, Biden concludes his speech.

As well as AI, climate change, and Ukraine, he said the US was looking to "responsibly manage" it's relationship with China.

"When it comes to China, I want to be clear and consistent. We seek to responsibly manage the competition between our countries so it does not tip into conflict."

Despite being asked to remain seated, many leaders are now filing out.

There is a short break until the next speech begins.

Sovereignty and human rights are the core tenets of the UN charter, Biden says, and the UN must stand up to Russia's "naked aggression.".

For a second year in row, he says, this gathering is darkened by the shadow of war, which was brought by Russia without provocation.

“Russia believes that the world will grow weary and allow it to brutalize Ukraine without consequence. But I ask you this: If we abandon the core principles of the UN Charter to appease an aggressor, can any member state feel confident that they are protected? If we allow Ukraine to be carved up, is the independence of any nation secure?

Biden says no.

“That is why the United States together with our Allies and partners around the world will continue to stand with the brave people of Ukraine as they defend their sovereignty and territorial integrity - and their freedom.”

Image source, g

Image source, Reuters

Biden says the US is treating climate change as an "existential threat".

Listing a number of recent natural disasters - heatwaves in the US and China, wildfires in the US and Europe, drought in Africa and the Libya floods - Biden says together these indicate what awaits the world if dependence on fossil fuels is not reduced.

"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 for all of humanity," Biden says.

Biden tells the UN artificial intelligence needs to be "safe" before being released to the public. He says governments need to govern this technology - not the other way around.

"We need to be sure to use these tools as opportunity and not as weapons of oppression," he says. ​

Last week tech leaders, including Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, met with Congress to talk about tech regulations.

Image source, Reuters

“The United States seeks a more secure, more prosperous, more equitable world for all people, because we know our future is bound up with yours," Biden tells the assembled world leaders.

"And no nation can meet the challenges of today alone,” he says.

US President Joe Biden is now addressing the UN General Assembly.

"I understand the duty my country has to lead at this critical moment," he says.

Madeline Halpert
At the UN General Assembly

Joe Biden has just arrived and he was greeted by hordes of reporters who shouted questions at him.

He was flanked by many security guards and was proceeded by White House Press Secretary Karine Jeanne-Pierre and Special Envoy for Climate John Kerry.

Image source, Getty Images

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is at the podium with a sense of enthusiasm for his county's involvement in global politics.

Lula was elected last year, and this is his first time speaking to the General Assembly since he was last in power more than a decade ago.

"Brazil is back!" he cried, adding he would attend to Brazil's foreign policy and make the country's due contributions in facing global challenges.

Brazil is home to the Amazon rainforest, which is vital to combatting climate change. Silva says he will bring a plan to preserve it to the next COP28 meeting.

Dennis Francis, the President of the UN General Assembly is next to speak after Guterres.

He implores the representatives at the meeting today not to waste it.

He says countries need to "rebuild trust, reignite global solidarity and find common ground to address the challenges we face."

Francis lists off a number of these challenges - climate change, energy and food crises and war - and says the world is currently "rolling back decades of hard won development gains".

It's no surprise that Guterres has gravely condemned Russia's action in Ukraine.

The war has resulted in "lives destroyed, human rights abused, families torn apart, children traumatised and hopes and dreams shattered," Guterres said.

"It has unleashed a nexus of horror," he says.

He warned that the world badly needs Ukrainian food and Russian food and fertilizers to stabilize markets and guarantee food security, adding - to the applause of leaders - "I will not give up on my efforts to make it happen."

Just a quick picture post to show you the reaction when Ukrainian President Vlodymyr Zelensky came in - it seems even high level delegates can't resist taking a snap.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images