UN speeches highlight Gaza, Canada’s new partnerships and a false Xi rumour

China and Russia were among the countries taking turns to speak at the United Nations on Saturday, but a series of other moments also drew attention at the General Assembly. Icelandic Foreign Minister Thorgerdur Katrín Gunnarsdóttir challenged language used by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the previous day. Referring to Gaza, she said leaders who refused to negotiate a just peace, denied humanitarian access or disregarded international law were “moral cowards”.

Canada’s Foreign Minister Anita Anand used her address to stress that Ottawa could no longer rely excessively on any single partner. She pointed to efforts to expand economic ties with Europe, India, China and African countries, as well as new security, defence and economic agreements. Anand said Canada was increasing defence spending in line with NATO commitments and expanding its diplomatic presence, including through a new consulate in Greenland.

She presented Canada as a dependable partner and echoed Prime Minister Mark Carney’s argument that middle powers should help protect the international order. A rumour briefly circulated that Chinese President Xi Jinping would leave Washington and travel to New York to address the UN. Reporters checked with a source inside the UN compound who said there was no Chinese advance team, which would normally be expected for such a visit.

Xi did not appear. Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng spoke as scheduled, while Xi returned to Beijing. Associated Press journalists Jennifer Peltz, Edith M.

Lederer and Ted Anthony contributed to the report.