(VOVworld) - President Barack Obama held a year-end news conference Friday afternoon where he touched upon a series of hot issues in terms of both internal and external affairs.

US President Barack Obama holds his last press conference of the year at the White House. (Photo: Nicholas Kamm/AFP/Getty Images)

He began the televised press briefing from the White House saying that the US’ economy has experienced stable progress with unemployment rate dropping by 5%, job generation rising with 13.7 million new jobs, and an increase of number of people to benefit from health care programs.

Regarding external relations, Obama said the US government has reached a breakthrough agreement with Iran, thawed the diplomatic ties with Cuba, and completed the TPP trade deal negotiations.

In the field of environment, Obama expressed his proud saying that US’ efforts to cut the emission gas has involved other nations including China to proactively participate. He said nearly 200 countries and territories signed a historic deal on fighting global warming at the Paris climate change conference.

But Obama admitted that the US is facing challenges in the fight against terrorists, and the IS in Syria.