Summary of President Obama Speaks at the General Assembly

00:00:00 - 00:45:00

President Obama gives a speech at the United Nations General Assembly in which he discusses the progress that the United States has made during his eight years as president. He credits this progress to the principles of open markets, accountable governance, democracy, human rights, and international law, which he argues are the "firmest foundation for human progress" in the 21st century. The president discusses how the integration of global economy has made life better for billions of people, highlighted by reductions in the number of people living in extreme poverty and advances in medicine and other fields. He also discusses how the current path to global integration requires a course correction, and warns against the appeal of "alternative visions of the world" that can lead to negative consequences.

• 00:00:00 Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States, gives a speech at the General Assembly of the United Nations in which he talks about the progress that the United States has made during his eight years as president. He credits this progress to the principles of open markets, accountable governance, democracy, human rights, and international law, which he argues are the "firmest foundation for human progress" in the 21st century.
• 00:05:00 The president discusses how the integration of global economy has made life better for billions of people, highlighted by reductions in the number of people living in extreme poverty and advances in medicine and other fields. He also discusses how the current path to global integration requires a course correction, and warns against the appeal of "alternative visions of the world" that can lead to negative consequences.
• 00:10:00 President Obama discusses the need for global cooperation in order to make the world a better place for all. He discusses strategies for achieving this, including investing in people and creating a safety net. He also discusses the importance of open markets and capitalism, and the need for limits on global integration in order to prevent large gaps between rich and poor.
• 00:15:00 President Obama discusses the policies he has pursued in the U.S., including creating 15 million new jobs, reducing poverty, and advancing global democracy. He reminds the audience that democracy is not a single-wave phenomenon and that there is still a competition between authoritarianism and liberalism. He emphasizes the importance of investing in green energy, fighting climate change, and providing assistance to fragile states.
• 00:20:00 The president discusses the challenges of building accountable institutions and the need for citizens to participate in order to help maintain democratic values. He also talks about the positives of democracy in other countries and how they have overcome challenges.
• 00:25:00 President Obama discusses the importance of democracy and how it needs to be driven by civic engagement from the bottom up, not governance by experts from the top down. He discusses the problems with fundamentalism, racism, and a belief in ethnic superiority, and how these issues are challenging modern societies. He concludes by saying that if our desire to preserve our identities leads to persecutes political opposition, jailing or beating people who are gay, or discriminating based on race or ethnicity, the fragile bonds of civilization will fray.
• 00:30:00 President Obama speaks about the need for international cooperation and the role of the United States in the world. He speaks about the importance of recognizing the rights and responsibilities of nations, and of securing allies and acting to protect the vulnerable.
• 00:35:00 President Obama discusses the accomplishments of the United States in international relations and how these efforts have helped improve global security. He also discusses how international cooperation is necessary to combat global issues such as climate change and Zika.
• 00:40:00 President Obama discusses the challenges and opportunities of refugee resettlement, emphasizing the importance of empathy and human cooperation.
• 00:45:00 President Obama speaks about the importance of moral imagination and the need for leaders to reflect this in their actions. He says that all of us can be co-workers with God and that our leadership at the United Nations should reflect this.