Along with the opening of the 76th edition of the United Nations General Assembly, the International Day of Peace was celebrated on Tuesday, Sept. 21, a date more relevant than ever in the world due to ongoing armed conflicts.

The Secretary General of the United Nations António Guterres, pointed out during his opening speech to the Assembly that the world has never before been so threatened and so divided as it is today.

“The world must wake up. We are on the brink of an abyss and moving in the wrong direction,” Guterres said in front of leaders of the most powerful nations, whom he blamed for the current critical situation, characterized by the lack of unity in fights against the pandemic and climate change, as well as the humanitarian crises continue throughout the planet. In particular, he mentioned the crises in Afghanistan, Yemen and Ethiopia.

After Guterres' speech, there one given by President of the United States, Joe Biden, who assured the Assembly that after the withdrawal of troops in Afghanistan means a new era of diplomacy opens, where military power becomes a "tool of last resort,” and should not be used to “solve” any problem that arises in the world.

"It will depend on our ability to recognize our common humanity," Biden said in reference to the war conflicts around the world and the new strategy his administration will use to address international incidents, always working in collaboration with its allies in missions that present themselves as clear and within reach.

On the other hand, Biden assured that they will redouble their efforts on another type battlefield, allocating $100 billion to the fight against climate change and calling on other nations to increase their efforts. The United States also mentioned the need for a Palestinian state to resolve the Arab-Israeli conflict, and left the door open to return to the Iranian nuclear deal if Iran were to do the same.

After Biden, President Jair Bolsonaro appeared, who the day before was the subject of debate and criticism from the mayor of New York for his reluctance to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, as well as his Colombian counterpart Iván Duque. The agenda of the 76th Assembly is marked by the coronavirus, the climate change war, and the situation in Afghanistan after the U.S. withdrawal.