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UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham made major statements on his country’s international position, security, artificial intelligence and the Middle East crisis during his debut speech at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in New York, US.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that the UK government’s official portal and international media outlets provided the information.
The prime minister said the country had spent 10 years dealing with the difficulties created by its withdrawal from the European Union, known as Brexit, and said the United Kingdom had begun returning to a path of stability and dynamism.
“Britain is back. We are restoring our stability. We are building a more dynamic economy,” the prime minister said. He also pledged decisive steps to improve citizens’ welfare in areas ranging from the rising cost of living to the integration of new technologies.
The prime minister said the strength of states was measured not only by their military capabilities but also by internal unity and social ties. Burnham alleged that Russia spends 1.3 billion pounds each year on manipulation and disinformation campaigns, saying the activities are aimed at creating fear and division in society.
“We will continue to invest in defense and remain committed to strengthening NATO and Europe’s capabilities. But we will not join Russia’s game of escalating tensions. Unlike Russia, we are not seeking confrontation,” Burnham said.
Addressing digital threats, the prime minister highlighted the potential of artificial intelligence technologies to increase cyberthreats. He said he had ordered the creation of a National Information Defense Center to counter disinformation risks effectively. Burnham stressed that decisions on artificial intelligence should be made by democratically elected governments. He said artificial intelligence would be one of the main themes of the G20 summit that Britain will host next year.
The prime minister also devoted significant attention to the crisis in the Middle East, saying that the UK was carrying out a “renewal” of its foreign policy in the region. He stressed that the events of Oct. 7, 2023, could not justify Israel’s actions against civilians in Gaza and the West Bank.
“Large numbers of people, including children, have been killed. Very little aid is able to enter the region. This situation has continued for far too long. The terrible suffering is increasing, and the vision of a two-state solution, which is the best outcome for both peoples, is under attack. We cannot stay silent,” the prime minister said.
Criticizing the establishment of illegal settlements in the West Bank, Burnham recalled that trade with those areas had been prohibited and the occupation had been declared illegal. He once again stressed the importance of the Israeli and Palestinian peoples living in peace and security as two independent states side by side.
