In his address to the UNGA, President Barack Obama said the world is too small, we are all too packed together to be following the old ways of thinking.

"We must reject the fundamentalism. Instead, we need to embrace the tolerance that results from respect for all human beings,

"I believe in a liberal political order that's built not just through elections and representatives of government but also through respect for human rights, civil societies, independent judiciaries and the rule of law," he said.

He said religious tenets can be followed while teaching kids science and maths and not intolerance.

Speaking on refugee crisis, he said many nations are doing a lot for refugees, but many nations can do a lot more.

"In the eyes of innocent men, women, children who had to flee what they love, we have to have empathy," Obama said.

For the first time, a US President was not the second speaker at the UNGA General Debate as Obama arrived late for his last address as the Head of State.

Obama missed his turn as the second speaker which promoted President of the General Assembly to call Chad's leader, who was the next speaker on the list, to make his national statement.

The US has traditionally been the second speaker in the general debate after Brazil.

Today's address was Obamas eighth and final address to the UN General Assembly as Americas Commander-in-Chief.

After Brazil's President Michel Temer finished his address, President of the General Assembly Peter Thomson said Obama is delayed and has not yet arrived for his speech to the General Assembly.

Not waiting for the US President to show up, Thomson proceeded on to the next speaker on the list, inviting Chad's leader to make his address.

Photograph: Mike Segar/Reuters