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narrator: funding was also provided by, the freeman foundation. and by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. announcer: and now, "bbc news". katrina: i am caitrin new york and this is "bbc world news america." president biden urges world leaders to stop russia's aggression in ukraine. there is movement back home on the black sea. azerbaijan launches what it describes as anti-terror operations in a contested enclave that could foreshadow new conflict in the caucasus.

welcome to world news america. i'm here in new york for the first day of the united nations 78th general assembly is coming to a close. the ukrainian president attending in person for the first time since the conflict began, but the headliner of the day was u.s. president joe biden. this is his first speech at the united nations general assembly since taking office. president biden confirmed standings between the u.s. and china as concern over tension is on the rise. >> when it comes to china, i want to be clear and consistent. we seek to responsibly manage competition between our countries so it does not deepen the conflict. i've said we are for de-risking,

not decoupling with china. we will push back on aggression and intimidation to defend the rules of the road to help safeguard security and prosperity, but we also stand ready to work with china on issues to progress on our common efforts. >> shortly after president biden's address to the general assembly, i spoke to the head of the united nations about what he had to say. if we could look back at what u.s. president joe biden said, he had some very strong words to the international community about the russian aggression into ukraine, saying the fundamentals of the united nations charter have been put under threat. >> i think the president's message was -- it was actually

much broader than that. i think what the world was waiting to hear from the president was what we thought of the sdg's. they also appreciated our views on ukraine, but he really talked about our commitment to reaffirming the goals of the sdg's, and i think that message went over quite well. on ukraine, he was strong and he was clear that this is a brutal attack on a smaller nation. it is an attack on the very values of the united nations charter. it is an attack on the united nations system, and it is something we have to stand together to fight. he said that president putin thought that we would lose our patients and move away, and he

was very strong in stating that we cannot do that. we have to remain strong. we have to remain committed to fighting this brutal war. >> president biden is the only one of the five permanent members of the security council, the only leader to be here. >> all of the countries here are represented at senior levels. president biden -- participation in his presence is a reflection of our commitment, but we are engaging with a number of countries. there are 100 40 leaders, i think, and i don't know the exact number who are involved here. the other p5 members are represented at senior levels, and we will engage with them at the levels they are here. >> president zelenskyy will address the gathering in person today. joe biden says the price of peace as far as russia was concerned was ukraine's

territory, ukraine's capitulation, and ukraine's children. what is the international community going to do now? it is a year and a half and of the conflict. >> we are going to stand strong and remain committed to supporting ukraine until this is over. the president was clear in stating that there is no one who wants peace more than ukraine. we want peace, but peace cannot be at the price of ukraine giving up its territory, giving up its independence, and giving up its children. >> if we move than to talk about u.s.-china relations, the president began addressing that, saying we need to manage competition between the two nations. is that something the u.s. is planning for, a conflict with china? >> it was clear from the president's statement that we are not planning for conflict. we are working to avoid conflict, and we are working to

manage this relationship to ensure that conflict never happens. >> you mentioned the sdg's, which the president addressed at some length, that trillions more are needed to make these targets. the targets are way behind where they should be. what can you do? >> we can do what we are doing this week. we can recommit to those goals. we can make commitments to ourselves to achieve those goals. that is what the president did today, and i think that's what i number of countries are doing, showing that they are committed to the sdg's. we had a very strong declaration that was passed by consensus, and i think that says everything about where everyone is on ensuring that we achieve the sdg goals because those goals are about people. it is about dealing with poverty and education and supporting

women and girls, so there are goals that we all support, and we are redoubling our efforts to make sure that we get there and in the end, deliver to the people of the world. >> climate change is a big part of delivering on the goals as well. what more can the international community do? they have been pledging support when action is what is needed. >> you are exactly right. action is what is needed. the united states is taking action. we are encouraging other countries to take more action and recommit to achieving the climate goals because we know this is, as the secretary-general said two years ago, this is an existential threat to the world and we have to find a path forward to deal with the issues related to climate change, and we need to do it today, not tomorrow. it is upon us now.

>> we know your time is precious, so we will let you go. thanks for joining us today. a variety of topics will be discussed at the general assembly this week, but some of those addressing the meeting have warned that global attempts to end extreme poverty and tackle climate change are going in reverse. they say goals for sustainable development agreed by united nations member states in 2015 were in peril and many are unlikely to be met. united nations chief antonio guterres made let remarks at tuesday's address, urging countries to stop funding coal and positing oil and gas projects. the secretary-general says history is coming for the planet wreckers but did not blame specific governments by name. as the effects of climate change worsened each year, the number of victims reaches record highs and humanitarian aid is spread thinly. over 180 million people were

displaced in 2022, and this year, even more will be forced from their homes due to climate disasters and conflicts. >> this is a year in which we have the highest displacement. it is not just displacement. it is food security, health challenges we have everywhere. this is the most difficult year in years to organize money. >> the theme this year is rebuilding trust and reigniting local summits. many of the speeches we have heard so far have emphasized the need for unity among members. on wednesday, there will be another session for leaders taking the stage. be sure to watch "world news america" this week as we will bring you updates on the general assembly here in new york.

you can also keep up-to-date as always with our live coverage on the website, bbc.com/news. for the second time, the general assembly is happening under the shadow of the war in ukraine. in president biden's address to world leaders, he made a strong call for members to stand against russia as the war heads into its second autumn. >> an illegal war of conquest, war without provocation by russia against its neighbor ukraine. like every nation in the world, the united states wants this war to end. no nation once this war to end more than ukraine. we strongly support its efforts to bring about a just and lasting peace. russia alone bears responsibility. russia alone has the power to end this war immediately. russia alone stands in the way of peace.

>> ukrainian president condemned russia's nuclear weapons, warned against its weaponization of food and of technology, and accused it of genocide but kidnapping ukrainian children. he said ukraine is doing all it could for peace and appealed to the international community to do the same. >> for the first time in modern history, we have a real chance to end the aggression on the terms of the nation which was attacked, and this is a real chance for every nation to ensure that the aggression against your estate, if it happens, god forbid, will end not because your land will be divided and you will be forced to submit to military or political pressure but because your territory and sovereignty will be fully restored. >> while here in the u.s., president zelenskyy has a full

schedule as he continues to make his case for more support. monday, he visited ukrainian soldiers undergoing rehabilitation here in new york. as you have just been hearing, zelenskyy is attending the general assembly where he is continuing to meet with various heads of state and officials. on thursday, president zelenskyy is expected to travel to washington to meet president biden, as well as leaders of the u.s. congress. another major interest for ukraine is nato membership. i spoke to the secretary-general of nato on the likelihood of that and on president biden's message of international unity. >> it was a very important message because it is about protecting territorial integrity and sovereignty of ukraine, but it is not only about ukraine. it is about all members of the united nations because if we don't stand up for ukraine, then no nation in the world is safe. that was the main message from

the president, and i totally agree with him. >> he was very strong as well that this is the second year the gathering is meeting under the shadow of war. the international community has appeared relatively powerless to stop that. >> many countries, more than 50 countries, are part of the u.s.-led effort to provide an unprecedented level of military support to ukraine. the united kingdom, many other nato allies, and this strong support to ukraine has enabled them to push back russian invaders, to liberate territory, and also conduct an offensive which is gradually gaining ground. nobody knows how long this war will last, but we have seen that ukrainians have been able to make progress, not least because of support from the international community. >> they may have made progress, but russia pushes on. the international community has not been able to stop russia even though it is a member of

the security council here. why is that? what else needs to happen? >> russia as a permanent member of the united nations security council is violating the core principles of the organization, respecting the sovereignty and the borders of all the members. therefore, it is important that they are criticized openly here at the united nations, but even more important is that we stand by ukraine, that we continue to provide support to them. the bravery and courage of the ukrainian people has impressed the whole world, but i also think that president putin underestimated the strength of nato allies. >> support ukraine is also looking for is nato membership. >> well, they have the summit in nato in july.

they will make important decisions to move ukraine closer to nato. ukraine has never been closer to nato membership. we have agreed epic program to ensure ukrainian forces become fully interoperable, so we are moving towards nato membership for ukraine. >> as president zelenskyy visits the u.s. to garner more support, two ships carrying grain left a ukrainian port for the first time since the collapse of a deal with russia. grain from both countries is crucial to food supplies in africa and asia. the resumption of shipping is a test of kyiv's ability to keep supply lines open while russia tries to blockade the country.

clinics it is clear that both kyiv and the shipping companies and shipping insurers are keen to take risks still. the site of resilient africa making her way out with tons of grain is quite a sight, given the environment surrounding the vessel. we have mine-infested seas, the russian navy would still exert dominance, but this is not the grain deal of old which allowed ukraine to export 2/3 of what it once did, 30 million tons of grain. we are talking about two vessels making this route out of ukraine in as many months, so it really is a fraction of what ukraine is able to do, but it is interesting that i think kyiv wants to make a statement. it has announced this corridor without any buy-in from

pressure, without any ability to enforce or police it themselves -- without any buy-in from russia. yet, it is willing to test those boundaries. we saw a cargo vessel make its way out last month. that was accepted by russian forces. they boarded it via helicopter and carried out an inspection, but that vessel ultimately made its way through. we have learned that it is about confidence. i think ukraine is hoping that if enough vessels make it out without a hitch, then more will follow, and it will help its faltering economy and also address the lingering threat of a global food crisis with ukraine being one of the world's major suppliers of the stuff. this is a statement, but it is incredibly early days, and i think any hopes of russia coming back to the table to try to resurrect this deal remain slim because of what is happening in

this war where the kremlin is continuing to hammer ukrainian infrastructure with missile strikes. it is a very strange juxtaposition to see this missile make its way out -- this vessel make its way out, but it has made its way out nonetheless. >> that has become one of the sticking points as congress tries to avoid a government shutdown. the biden administration wants more money while many republicans want to cut off funding. tuesday, we learned house speaker kevin mccarthy's proposed short-term funding measure to keep the u.s. government open will not be voted on just yet. the cancellation comes amid an ongoing divide between party leaders and far right lawmakers. members were scheduled to vote to approve the rules of the debate for the measure, but it was unclear if it would have passed. azerbaijan's armed forces have launched what they are calling an anti-terror operation in the

disputed region of nagorno-karabakh. explosions and sirens were heard on tuesday. officials claim at least 25 people have been killed as part of the offensive. tensions between armenia and azerbaijan have in high for months of on the breakaway enclave, which is smaller than the u.s. state of delaware. functions as a de fto region of armenia, and its population is mostly ethnic armenians, but it is internationally recognized as azerbaijani territory. >> fighting has continued along the line of contact between azerbaijan and its breakaway nagorno-karabakh region. local authorities in the ethnic armenian territory say azerbaijani armed forces are using artillery, missiles, and attack drones. there are casualties, including children.

azerbaijan launched what he described as an anti-terror operation to gain full control of the territory and is demanding full withdrawal of armenian armed forces from its internationally recognized territory, but armenia says it has no military presence in karabakh and claims the aid of azerbaijan's military offensive is ethnic cleansing, that azerbaijan wants to drive ethnic armenian population out of their homes. there has been strong international condemnation of this anti-terror operation with urgent calls for azerbaijan to end hostilities and return to negotiations, but they say they will continue anti-terror measures until local authorities in nagorno-karabakh dissolve and surrender. >> there's a lot of background to this story. to help better understand, let

us get more now from the europe regional editor. >> detentions in nagorno-karabakh go back to the old soviet union, which was a collection of 15 different republics, hence the union -- hence the name, the union of soviet republics. azerbaijan and armenia were neighbors, two very different countries. azerbaijan predominately muslim. armenia predominately christian. the two have very different languages with different alphabets. in 1891, the old soviet union fell apart and at that point, there were particular tensions over this region, nagorno-karabakh. as you can see, it is in azerbaijan, but the population are mostly ethnic armenians. mostly they wanted to join with armenia. there were protests. there were local acts of violence, but eventually, a full-scale war broke out, and this really was a very ugly war. there was shelling. there was bombing, but there were also lots of attacks on civilians, plus suggestions of

atrocities being committed by both sides. a cease-fire was agreed in 1994, but it never really addressed the underlying issues, the underlying tensions, so in 2020, once again, war broke out. again, a very ugly war with some close hand-to-hand fighting, but this time, azerbaijan had the advantage, partly because turkiye gave them advanced drones to use, and azerbaijan managed to seize a whole chunk of nagorno-karabakh. part of the problem was that the people monitoring the cease-fire work russian peacekeepers, and the russian military were, to say the least, distracted with other things. the war having ukraine broke out. there were particular problems over bringing aid into -- from armenia into nagorno-karabakh down this road. the strange thing is only on monday, aid for the first time

came in from armenia into nagorno-karabakh. medical supplies and food, and people thought that was a sign that tensions were easing, but then six azerbaijanis were killed by two landmine explosions. four of them, we understand, work azerbaijani police officers, and it seems azerbaijan has now retaliated. it seems tensions in this contested area once again are rising. >> relations between canada and india have further deteriorated after each nation expelled diplomats in tit-for-tat moves on tuesday. the explosions are part of a confrontation between india and canada over india's alleged involvement in the murder of a canadian sikh who was shot dead outside a temple back in june, some three years after india designated him a terrorist. the canadian prime minister said authorities are actively pursuing links between new delhi agents and him.

india has dismissed the allegations as absurd. canada is home to an influential sikh community. before we go, it was an emotional reunion early on tuesday after years of captivity in iranian jails. five americans freed on monday arrived back on u.s. soil. waiting on them on the army air base where their families. their freedom came after a controversial prisoner swap between the u.s. and iran. the freed americans include u.s.-iranian dual citizens. two have not been publicly identified. you can find more about all the

day's news and much more on our website. to see at any time what we are looking -- what we are working on, do have a look at your favorite social media site. narrator: funding for this presentation of this program is provided by... narrator: financial services firm, raymond james. narrator: funding was also provided by, the freeman foundation. and by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. ♪ ♪

wow, you get to watch all your favorite stuff. it's to die for. now you won't miss a thing. this is the way. the xfinity 10g network. made for streaming. amna: good evening. i'm amna nawaz. geoff: and i'm geoff bennett. on the "newshour" tonight -- pres. biden: the united states seeks a more secure, more prosperous, more equitable world for all people. geoff: at the united nations, president biden calls on world leaders to promote peace and stand with ukraine against russia's invasion, now well into its second year. amna: and we report from on the ground in ukraine, where u.s. support is bolstering the effort to retake land from russian forces. geoff: