Biden hosts diplomatic personnel at White House reception

By Firdevs Bulut Kartal

TORONTO (AA) - US President Joe Biden held a reception at the White House on Tuesday for State Department personnel.

In his speech at the event, he said the world is at a crossroads and thanked them for "helping to put diplomacy back at the center of American foreign policy.”

He emphasized that the US began rebuilding the global network of alliances and that today they are stronger than ever before, referencing newly-formed alliances such as the Quad and AUKUS.

"We're building a more stable, integrated, more peaceful Middle East long haul. It's hard, but we're making some progress," he added.

In his speech, Biden also underscored the support that the US is providing to Ukraine in the face of Russia's brutal aggression.

Meanwhile, competition with China should be managed so that it does not turn into a conflict, he said.

Biden emphasized the seriousness of climate change and investing in global health to address today's challenges.

"There will be another pandemic," and the world needs to ensure it is better prepared for it, he said.

He also noted that it is important to be better informed on issues such as artificial intelligence because “we are in a new age.”

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken meanwhile highlighted the importance of finding ways to increase collaboration with other countries, which is for the advantage of all American people, in his speech at the reception.