Bureau of International Organization Affairs
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The Bureau of International Organization Affairs (IO) is the U.S. Government’s primary interlocutor with the United Nations and a host of international agencies and organizations. As such, the Bureau is charged with advancing the President’s vision of robust multilateral engagement as a crucial tool in advancing U.S. national interests. U.S. multilateral engagement spans the full range of important global issues, including peace and security, nuclear nonproliferation, human rights, economic development, climate change, global health, and much more.
Russian Aggression Against Ukraine
Press Statement: Moving Forward in Yemen
Spokesperson Nauert (Nov. 21): The United States reiterates its call for all parties to support UN Special Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths by immediately ceasing hostilities and engaging in direct talks aimed at ending the conflict. We welcome the UN Special Envoy's statement that the Houthis and the Republic of Yemen Government are committed to attending the consultations in Sweden, and we call on the parties to follow through on that commitment. All parties must not delay talks any longer, or insist on travel or transport conditions that call into question good faith intentions to look for a solution or to make necessary concessions. The time for direct talks and building mutual confidence is now. Full Text»
The United States and UN Sanction Libyan Militia Leader Salah Badi
Nov. 19: Today, the United States, in coordination with the UN Security Council’s Libya Sanctions Committee, imposed financial sanctions on Libyan militia leader Salah Badi (Badi). In accordance with the UN listing, which the United States, United Kingdom, and France co-sponsored, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has designated Badi pursuant to Executive Order 13726. Consequently, all of Badi’s assets within U.S. jurisdiction are blocked, and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with him. In addition, the corresponding UN sanctions require all UN Member States to impose an asset freeze and travel ban. Full Text»
Assistant Secretary Kevin E. Moley Travel to Belgium and Austria
Nov. 14: Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs Kevin E. Moley will travel to Brussels, Belgium, and Vienna, Austria from November 14 to November 20. In Brussels, Assistant Secretary Moley will participate in the Meeting of Executive Managers of International Organizations at the NATO Headquarters. In Vienna, Assistant Secretary Moley will consult with officials at the U.S. Mission to International Organizations in Vienna, and meet with a number of officials from the United Nations and the International Atomic Energy Agency. Full Text»
Press Statement: Election of Doreen Bogdan-Martin to the ITU
Spokesperson Nauert (Nov. 2): The United States congratulates Doreen Bogdan-Martin for her election as Director of the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) Bureau of Telecommunication Development. We were honored to support her candidacy for this position and believe she is the right person for the job. Ms. Bogdan-Martin is the first woman to be elected for any senior leadership position at the ITU in its 153-year history. With over 25 years of experience in the telecommunications sector, including 14 years focused on the development work of the ITU, Ms. Bogdan-Martin is a strategic leader who will effectively and collaboratively advance the development efforts of the ITU. Text»
Assistant Secretary Kevin E. Moley Travel to New York and Montreal
Oct. 29: Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs Kevin E. Moley will travel to New York and Montreal from October 29 to November 1. In New York, the Assistant Secretary will hold consultations with officials at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations. In Montreal, the Assistant Secretary will meet with senior leadership of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and attend a session of the ICAO Council. Full Text»
Presidential Proclamation on United Nations Day
Oct. 23: On United Nations Day, we recognize the many ways the United Nations has contributed to peace and security among nations. Since it was founded more than 70 years ago with the aim of breaking the cycle of global conflict, the United Nations has provided a forum for nations to resolve conflicts peacefully in an increasingly complex world. The United States is committed to the organization’s future and is confident that responsibility more equally shared among member states will lead to greater effectiveness and efficiency. Full Text»
Remarks at a UN Security Council Open Debate on the Middle East
Ambassador Haley (Oct. 18): The sanctions the United States is leveling against Iran are broad and deep – and for good reason. Any company or individual that does business with this Iranian network is complicit in sending children to die on the battlefields of Syria and elsewhere. The United States will do all we can to reverse the flow of international funds into the coffers of the Iranian regime. Full Text»
Remarks at a UN Security Council Briefing on the Situation Concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Ambassador Cohen (Oct. 11): "Thank you, Mr. President. Special Representative Zerrougui, Special Envoy Djinnit, thank you for your briefings today. We deeply appreciate your updates, especially in these final two months before elections in the DRC. Following the Security Council’s trip to Kinshasa, our focus remains on the state of elections preparations in the DRC. We were particularly glad that the Council met with the President of the Independent National Election Commission, who had not been able to join us for the August Council briefing. Mr. President, we agree with the Electoral Commission officials that another electoral delay is not acceptable and appreciate their focus on maintaining the December 23 date. The Congolese people have already waited two years to cast their votes. With that in mind, we will continue supporting MONUSCO’s efforts to establish contingency plans to distribute voting materials if the Congolese government makes a last-minute request. We would encourage MONUSCO to be transparent with the Congolese government regarding deadlines for requesting this assistance." Full Text»
Remarks at a UN Security Council Briefing on Colombia
Ambassador Cohen (Oct. 10): "Muchas gracias, Señor Presidente. Thank you, Special Representative Arnault, for your important, detailed briefing today. We warmly welcome Foreign Minister Trujillo and our other distinguished Colombian guests. The historic peace accord that ended a half century of fighting in Colombia brings us together today. The United States welcomed the unanimous renewal of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia last month. We join the Security Council in our enthusiastic support for peace in Colombia. But the success of the peace process is, in turn, dependent upon other areas of progress. That said, we believe this is truly a time of re-birth for Colombia. President Duque said it well when he introduced himself to the General Assembly a couple weeks ago. He identified himself as a member of a new generation of Colombians committed to uniting his country around common goals. The continuing success of peace in Colombia is caught up in the achievement of these goals." Full Text»
Remarks to the Media
Secretary Pompeo (Oct. 3): "Now let me turn to the ICJ ruling from today. I’m announcing that the United States is terminating the 1955 Treaty of Amity with Iran. This is a decision, frankly, that is 39 years overdue. In July, Iran brought a meritless case in the International Court of Justice alleging violations of the Treaty of Amity. Iran seeks to challenge the United States decision to cease participation in the Iran nuclear deal and to re-impose the sanctions that were lifted as a part of that deal. Iran is attempting to interfere with the sovereign rights of the United States to take lawful actions necessary to protect our national security. And Iran is abusing the ICJ for political and propaganda purposes and their case, as you can see from the decision, lacked merit." Full Text»
DipNote Blog: Outlining American Interests at the United Nations General Assembly
Sept. 21: This week marks the formal opening of the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly, with High-Level week beginning on September 24. The United States will be actively engaged across a wide spectrum of UNGA events and activities, and will frame that engagement around five broad policy priorities: non-proliferation; humanitarian assistance and food security; peace and security; counterterrorism; and UN reform. Full Text»
Remarks at a UN Security Council Debate on UN Peacekeeping Reform
Ambassador Haley (Sept. 12): "Peacekeeping is based on trust between the protected and the protectors. The United Nations puts peacekeepers into this position of trust. We, the Security Council, give them this power. We are responsible for what they do with it – not just for the sake of the victims, but for the sake of the mission, the United Nations, and peacekeeping itself. Once that critical trust is gone, no matter how many resources a mission has, or how strong its leadership, the mission will fail. Even worse than failures to protect are instances in which civilians have been attacked, abused, and exploited by the peacekeepers who are supposed to protect them." Full Text»
U.S. Statement to the IAEA Board of Governors: Verification and Monitoring in Iran
Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Shampaine (Sept. 12): "The United States welcomes the Director General’s August 30 report on verification and monitoring in Iran. We once again extend our appreciation to the Director General, the Deputy Director General for Safeguards, and their staff, for their continued professionalism and dedication in carrying out their responsibilities in Iran. The Director General’s thorough and professional reporting on Iran’s nuclear activities is essential for the Board to accurately assess Iran’s implementation of its safeguards obligations and nuclear commitments. We have every confidence that the IAEA will continue to carry out its responsibilities in Iran with the highest level of professionalism and diligence. The Secretariat can continue to count on the full support of the United States as it implements the Agency’s mandate in Iran." Full Text»
Remarks at a UN Security Council Briefing on Corruption and Conflict
Ambassador Haley (Sept. 10): "I thank Secretary-General Guterres for being here today and shining a light on the link between corruption and international peace and security. I also thank John Prendergast for telling us about the important work his team does to uncover the ways that corruption fuels conflict, and giving us clear recommendations on what we can do to stop it. I thank everyone for being here for this, the first Security Council session on the relationship between corruption and conflict. This is an issue that has for too long gone unaddressed." Full Text»
Press Release: Statement by the U.S. Mission to the UN on President Trump Chairing a UN Security Council Meeting
New York, New York (Sept. 7): As Ambassador Haley stated on September 4, President Trump will host a UN Security Council meeting when he visits New York for the UN General Assembly at the end of September. In addition to addressing Iran’s destabilizing aggression and sponsorship of terrorism, the President will address a broader range of issues given the challenges facing the world at this time. During the Security Council meeting, the President will address the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, including chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles. From Europe to the Middle East to Asia, proliferation of such weapons threatens far too many innocent civilians. Full Text»
Remarks at a UN Security Council Briefing on the Situation in Nicaragua
Ambassador Haley (Sept. 5): "Today, the United States stands in solidarity with the people of Nicaragua. Not just because we believe in fundamental human rights and expect them to be honored. But because our future is bound up with our neighbors in the Americas. Their prosperity is our prosperity, and their security is our security." Full Text»
Press Release: Joint Statement Welcoming the Ceasefire in Tripoli, Libya
Sept. 4: The Governments of France, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States welcome the result of the mediation reached today by the United Nations Support Mission that aims to deescalate violence in and around Tripoli and ensure the protection of civilians. We reiterate our strong support for Special Representative of the Secretary-General Ghassan Salame as he works to realize an immediate and durable cessation of hostilities in the Libyan capital, which is a critical step to advancing the political process in accordance with the United Nations Action Plan. Full Text»
Press Statement: Passing of Former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan
Secretary Pompeo (Aug. 18): "I am saddened to hear of the passing of former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and express my condolences to the Annan family and to the people of his home country of Ghana. Mr. Annan spent his life advocating for peace and human dignity during his long career at the United Nations. Even after leaving his post as Secretary-General he embodied the mission of the United Nations, by sowing the seeds of peace as Chair of The Elders, an independent group of global leaders committed to advancing the cause of peace and promoting human rights around the world." Full Text»
Readout: Secretary Pompeo’s Meeting With UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura
Spokesperson Nauert (Aug. 15): At Secretary Michael R. Pompeo’s invitation, he and UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura met privately today in Washington. They discussed UN progress on forming a constitutional committee. Secretary Pompeo and Special Envoy de Mistura agreed that all parties needed to move ahead on the political track and that any discussion of reconstruction was premature absent a political solution leading unalterably to both constitutional reform and free and fair elections as described in UN Security Council Resolution 2254. Full Text»
DipNote Blog: Charting a New Path to Promote Global Human Rights
Aug. 8: The United States has been the global beacon for freedom and human rights since its inception. The Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and Bill of Rights articulate a uniquely American vision of a world where self-evident truths become real-world rights and freedoms, promote global stability, enhance economic prosperity, and promote the dignity of life. Seventy years ago, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights reinforced this vision and made clear that the many benefits of human rights must be accorded to all people. In many parts of the world, however, those benefits remain beyond reach. As the principal defender of human rights around the world, the United States finds this situation intolerable, and in recent weeks has taken concrete action to reinforce our defense of human rights. Full Text»
Press Release: Statement from the U.S. Mission to the UN on North Korea Sanctions Actions at the UN
New York, New York (Aug. 3): The U.S. Mission to the United Nations submitted a list of designation proposals today to the UN Security Council’s 1718 North Korea Sanctions Committee as part of the U.S. government’s regular sanctions implementation activities. This action coincided with today’s Treasury Department actions and is part of a coordinated U.S. government effort to continue to implement existing sanctions, both domestic and multilateral, and cut off North Korea’s illicit financial activities. Full Text»
Press Release: Statement from the U.S. Mission to International Organizations in Vienna on World Day Against Trafficking in Persons
Vienna, Austria (July 30): The United States Mission to International Organizations in Vienna joins the United Nations, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, and communities and organizations around the world in the commemoration of July 30 as World Day against Trafficking in Persons. Trafficking in persons is a serious crime and a grave violation of human rights, and the United States is focused on ending this absolutely horrific practice. Every year, thousands of men, women and children fall into the hands of traffickers, in their own countries and abroad. Almost every country in the world is affected by trafficking, whether as a country of origin, transit or destination for victims. Full Text»
Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo Remarks with Permanent Representative to the United Nations Nikki Haley
Secretary Pompeo (July 19): "Good afternoon, everyone. First I want to commend my good friend Ambassador Haley and her excellent team here at the United Nations. Her leadership in advancing American interest on North Korea and many other issues has been evident here this morning, and she’s got a great team behind her helping. So thank you, Nikki. The main reason I came here today was to meet with members of the UN Security Council – South Korea and Japan as well – to convey details of my work on the trip to North Korea earlier this month and the progress that was made there. I also had the opportunity to meet with UN Secretary-General Guterres to discuss the topic and other topics as well." Full Text»
Remarks on “U.S. Withdrawal from Human Rights Council: Impact and Next Steps” at The Heritage Foundation
Ambassador Haley (July 18): "And as I have said before, our withdrawal from the Human Rights Council does not mean that we give up our fight for reform. On the contrary, any country willing to work with us to reshape the Council need only ask. Fixing the institutional flaws of the Human Rights Council was, is, and will remain one of the biggest priorities at the UN." Full Text»
Explanation of Vote on a High-Level Political Forum Ministerial Declaration
Ambassador Currie (July 18): "We regret that we were unable to join consensus on this document, as the United States remains firmly committed to its role as a leader in promoting sustainable development. Throughout this process, we have made our issues with this text well known. We offered numerous constructive amendments in the spirit of compromise. Therefore, it was with regret that the United States had to call a vote and vote no on the Ministerial Declaration due to inappropriate language on foreign occupation and trade, as well as the elevation of an inappropriate development model and the domestic policy rhetoric of a single Member State." Full Text»
Press Release: Selection of Annual U.S. Youth Observer to the United Nations
July 19: The U.S. Department of State, in partnership with the United Nations Association of the USA (UNA-USA), is pleased to announce the selection of the annual U.S. Youth Observer to the United Nations. Mr. Michael Scott Peters of Utah was chosen from a competitive pool of applicants that included top-ranked university students and young professionals from across the United States. More»
Press Release: Ambassador Haley on a More Efficient UN Peacekeeping Budget and Other UN Reforms
July 5: Today, United Nations Member States adopted a responsible peacekeeping budget that reflects hundreds of millions of dollars in savings from the previous year and ensures peacekeeping missions are adequately funded to fulfill their mandates. The Member States also approved two major reform overhauls to UN management and UN peace and security, introduced by the UN Secretary-General. These major reforms, the first in more than 40 years, will result in a restructuring that cuts through silos and UN bureaucracy, increases commonsense UN coordination, removes redundancies, and ultimately makes the UN a more accountable, transparent, and efficient organization. Full Text»
Readout: Secretary Pompeo's Meeting With United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres
Spokesperson Heather Nauert (June 23): Secretary Pompeo met today with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres in Washington, DC. The Secretary and the Secretary-General discussed the success of the Singapore Summit, efforts to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula, Libya, peace in the Middle East, and the Secretary-General’s recent trip to Mali. The two agreed on the need to prioritize humanitarian aid in Yemen and Syria. Full Text»
Remarks on the UN Human Rights Council
Secretary Pompeo (June 19): "The Human Rights Council enables abuses by absolving wrongdoers through silence and falsely condemning those who have committed no offense. A mere look around the world today demonstrates that the council has failed in its stated objectives." Full Text»
Press Statement: Commemoration of International Day of UN Peacekeepers
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (May 29): Today, on the annual International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, we mark 70 years of UN peacekeeping, and the service and sacrifice of thousands of uniformed and civilian personnel. UN peacekeepers serve under dangerous and uncertain circumstances, and too often pay the ultimate sacrifice. We honor in particular today the more than 3,700 peacekeepers who have lost their lives in the service of peace over the past seven decades. Full Text»
Assistant Secretary Kevin E. Moley Travel to Geneva
May 21: Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs Kevin E. Moley will travel to Geneva, Switzerland, May 22-25 as part of the U.S. delegation to the 71st World Health Assembly. Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex M. Azar II will lead the delegation, which will engage with counterparts on a host of priorities, including global health preparedness, support for maternal, child health and life issues; and the endgame for global polio eradication. Full Text»
U.S. Explanation of Vote – HRC 28th Special Session on Gaza
Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Theodore Allegra (May 18): The United States strongly and unequivocally opposes the proposal before us today, and we call for a vote on the resolution. This is yet one more example of the Human Rights Council’s biased focus on Israel. The continued insistence of this body to focus more attention on Israel than on any other member state calls into question the credibility of this body. The resolution’s one-sided focus, without any call for investigation of Hamas and without any blame cast upon Hamas for the current bloodshed, is unacceptable, and it is wrong. Full Text»
U.S. Statement at the HRC Special Session on Gaza
Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Theodore Allegra (May 18): The United States remains concerned over the recent outbreak of violence along the Gaza fence. But today’s session is blatantly taking sides and ignoring the real culprit for the recent outbreak of violence, the terrorist organization Hamas. Hamas has even admitted its involvement in the violence when a Hamas official proudly announced that 50 of the 62 killed were members of Hamas. Full Text»
Press Release: Ambassador Haley on the Release of the U.S. Report on UN Voting Practices
Ambassador Haley (Apr. 26): Today, the State Department released its annual UN Voting Practices Report as required by Congress for the last 34 years. The report includes a comparison of voting records between the United States and other countries on UN General Assembly resolutions. Of the 93 resolutions that were voted last year, on average other countries voted with the United States only 31 percent of the time – a 10 percentage point drop from 2016 but at a rate that is historically near average. Full Text»
Remarks by Ambassador Haley before a Vote on a Draft UN Security Council Resolution on the Use of Chemical Weapons in Syria
Ambassador Haley (Apr. 10): We have reached a decisive moment as a Security Council. On Saturday, the first haunting images appeared from Douma in Syria. We gathered around this table yesterday to express our collective outrage. We then collectively agreed that this Council must take steps to determine exactly what happened in Douma, and to put an end to these barbaric attacks. The United States has put forward a resolution that accomplishes these shared goals. For weeks, we have been working with every single delegation on this Council to develop a new attribution mechanism for chemical weapons attacks in Syria. We held open and transparent negotiations, so every delegation could provide their input. And we went the extra mile for one Council member. We adopted paragraph after paragraph of Russia’s proposed resolution. We tried to take every Russian proposal that did not compromise the impartiality, independence, or professionalism of a new attribution mechanism. Full Text»
U.S. National Statement to the 204th Executive Board of UNESCO
Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. Chris Hegadorn (Apr. 10): It is with a degree of optimism that I address this Executive Board session, my last before departing the U.S. Mission to UNESCO later this year. With a new leadership team at UNESCO and a clear vision and commitment by the Director-General to reshaping and reinvigorating this organization befitting its ambitious mandate, we hope the initiatives she has described and commenced will contribute to the broad UN system reform effort underway, focused squarely on transparency, accountability, and results. Full Text»
Remarks at an Emergency UN Security Council Briefing on Chemical Weapons Use in Syria
Ambassador Haley (Apr. 9): Almost exactly one year ago, I stood on the floor of the Security Council and held up pictures of dead Syrian children. After that day, I prayed that I would never have to do that again. I could; there are many truly gruesome pictures. Many of us have worked hard to ensure that one day, we would not have to see images of babies gassed to death in Syria. But the day we prayed would never come has come again. Chemical weapons have once again been used on Syrian men, women, and children. And once again, the Security Council is meeting in response. Full Text»
Fact Sheet: Key Outcomes of U.S. Priorities at the UN Human Rights Council's 37th Session
(Mar. 23): At the 37th Human Rights Council session in Geneva, February 26 – March 23, the U.S. addressed urgent human rights situations around the world. This session brought attention to human rights issues in Iran, Syria, North Korea, Burma, Cambodia and South Sudan, among others. Acting Assistant Secretary of State Molly Phee delivered our national statement on February 28, underscoring the U.S. commitment to human rights, as well as our continued concerns about the Council’s disproportionate focus on Israel and our commitment to reforming the Council. The United States introduced a resolution on South Sudan that the Council adopted with broad cross-regional support. Our active engagement on all other Council actions allowed the U.S. to protect critical legal and policy equities and achieve successful outcomes. In addition, through national and joint statements, the United States addressed human rights situations in China, Russia, Cuba, Venezuela, the DRC, Egypt, Turkey, Burundi, Azerbaijan, the Maldives, Vietnam, and Bahrain. Full Text»
Press Statement: Arrest of Anti-Balaka Leader Jean-Francis Diandi by MINUSCA
Spokesperson Nauert (Mar. 21): The United States commends the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) for its recent arrest of anti-Balaka leader Jean-Francis Diandi. We applaud MINUSCA for taking strong, decisive action to end the threat of armed groups in the Central African Republic (CAR) and will continue to support MINUSCA and its leadership in their efforts to advance peace and stability in CAR. Full Text»
Press Statement: Harassment of the Press in Iran
Spokesperson Nauert (Mar. 15): The United States notes with concern the grave conditions facing the press in Iran as detailed in the UN Special Rapporteur’s report. The report says in part, “The Special Rapporteur has continued to receive reports of the arbitrary arrest, detention, and harassment of journalists, media workers, and their families, including during interviews conducted during missions.” Full Text»
Press Release: U.S. Welcomes Commission on Narcotic Drugs Vote on Carfentanil
U.S. Mission UNVIE (Mar. 14): The United States welcomes today’s unanimous vote at the Commission on Narcotic Drugs in Vienna to add carfentanil, a synthetic opioid 10,000 times more powerful than morphine, to the list of controlled substances under the UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs. This move by the United Nations will help save lives, particularly in the United States where the death toll of the opioid epidemic is still on the rise. Full Text»
Statement by the Delegation of the United States of America at the Urgent Debate on Syria, Human Rights Council 37th Session in Geneva, Switzerland
Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Theodore Allegra (Mar. 2): "Once again, the United States joins with the majority of our colleagues to demand an end to the Assad regime’s brutal assault against its own people. We strongly condemn the repeated attacks on medical facilities and civilian infrastructure in Eastern Ghouta. Less than a week ago, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2401, which demanded an immediate cessation of hostilities. But that did not happen. The Assad regime and its Russian backers continue to carry out airstrikes. Airstrikes which have caused more deaths of innocent men, women, and children, and which have caused more destruction of civilian infrastructure – including a maternity ward." Full Text»
U.S. National Statement at the 37th Session of the Human Rights Council
Acting Assistant Secretary of State Molly Phee (Feb. 28): "Over the past year, the United States has actively pursued Council action on two related fronts: improving the Human Rights Council and addressing critical human rights issues. The United States continues to look closely at our participation in the Council. We want to see the Council succeed. To be most effective, the United Nations needs a body to hold countries accountable, to provide a platform for human rights defenders, and to assist countries that are working to improve human rights at home.” Full Text»
Statement by the U.S. Delegation to the United Nations Human Rights Council
Feb. 27: The United States is appalled to learn that the government of Iran is sending its Justice Minister, Seyyed Alireza Avaei, to address the UN Human Rights Council. Minister Avaei oversaw the summary executions of Iranians in the late 1980’s. As the recent head of the Tehran judiciary and current Minister of Justice, Avaei oversees systematic arbitrary arrests and detentions of Iranians engaging in peaceful political and civic activism, and imprisons them in a network of facilities notorious for suspicious deaths, the use of torture, and denial of medical care. Full Text»
Acting Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs Molly Phee Travels to Geneva, Switzerland
Feb. 23 Acting Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs Molly Phee will travel to Geneva, Switzerland, from February 26 - March 2, for the opening of the 37th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC). Acting Assistant Secretary Phee will deliver the U.S. national statement at the Council on February 28, outlining U.S. priorities at the HRC. Full Text»
World Cancer Day: International Solutions for a Global Crisis
Feb. 2: Cancer and cancer-related diseases claim the lives of eight million people worldwide each year. Fourteen million new cases of cancer are diagnosed annually, and more than 60% of those cases occur in low and middle-income countries, where treatment capacities are limited and resources already scarce. February 4 is World Cancer Day, a day when we shine a spotlight on the global burden of cancer, its victims, and worldwide efforts to improve prevention and treatment outcomes. DipNote»
Joint Statement from Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) Partners in Support of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 2375 and 2397 Enforcement
Jan. 12: Joint statement released by the Government of the United States of America along with 16 other members of the Proliferation Security Initiative’s (PSI) Operational Experts Group (OEG) in support of enforcement of UN Security Council Resolutions against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). Full Text»
Statement on the President’s Announcement on Iran
Ambassador Haley (Jan. 12): Today, the President took decisive action to make it clear the United States will continue to abide by the terms of the Iran nuclear deal, but will not tolerate Iran’s dangerous and destabilizing behavior, and we expect other countries to join us. Full Text»
Ambassador Haley on the United States Negotiating a Significant Reduction in the UN Budget
Ambassador Haley (Dec. 24): Today, the United Nations agreed on a budget for the 2018-2019 fiscal year. Among a host of other successes, the United States negotiated a reduction of over $285 million off the 2016-2017 final budget. Full Text»
Press Statement: Announcement of the Selection of the UNICEF Executive Director
Spokesperson Nauert (Dec. 22): The United States welcomes Secretary-General Guterres’ appointment of Henrietta Holsman Fore as Executive Director of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). Full Text»
Explanation of Vote at the Adoption of the UN Security Council Resolution 2397 Imposing New Sanctions on North Korea
Ambassador Haley (Dec. 22): "Today, for the tenth time, this Council stands united against a North Korean regime that rejects the pursuit of peace. The Kim regime continues to defy the resolutions of this Council, the norms of civilized behavior, and the patience of the international community. Their arrogance and hostility to anything productive has set their country on a destructive path. Nine times before today, we have asked the North Korean regime to choose the path of peace. And if they do, we would welcome them back into the community of nations. But Pyongyang has chosen the path of isolation." Full Text»
Remarks Following the Adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2396 on Foreign Terrorist Fighters
Ambassador Sison (Dec. 21): "Mr. President, three years ago, this Council – in an extraordinary meeting of our heads of government – tackled the problem of foreign terrorist fighters. In 2014, ISIS was ascendant. Terrorists had just captured large swathes of territory. And ISIS’s ideology was inspiring thousands to travel and join its ranks. Today the tables are turned. ISIS is now on the run. The United States, alongside the Defeat-ISIS Coalition and its multiple partners, have nearly liberated nearly all of ISIS’s territory on the battlefield. Its ideology is discredited. But the threat of foreign terrorist fighters remains." Full Text»
Remarks Before a UN General Assembly Vote on Jerusalem
Ambassador Haley (Dec. 21): "To its shame, the United Nations has long been a hostile place for the state of Israel. Both the current and the previous Secretary-Generals have objected to the UN’s disproportionate focus on Israel. It’s a wrong that undermines the credibility of this institution, and that in turn is harmful for the entire world. I’ve often wondered why, in the face of such hostility, Israel has chosen to remain a member of this body. And then I remember that Israel has chosen to remain in this institution because it’s important to stand up for yourself. Israel must stand up for its own survival as a nation; but it also stands up for the ideals of freedom and human dignity that the United Nations is supposed to be about." Full Text»
Explanation of Vote Following the Adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2393 on Syria
Ambassador Sison (Dec. 19): "Today, the Council came together for an issue of critical importance. Today’s resolution allows the UN to continue to provide vital, life-saving cross-border assistance to millions of Syrians who need it to survive. Thanks to this mandate, more than 1 million Syrians every month receive assistance from the UN and its partners. This includes clean drinking water, medicine, and food. Since Resolution 2165 was first adopted in 2014, nearly 17,000 trucks of aid have rolled into Syria. And each of these trucks was fully vetted by the dedicated UN Monitoring Mechanism. It is no exaggeration to say that this cross-border authorization for humanitarian assistance has saved lives in Syria. We reaffirm our commitment to support the delivery of cross-line and cross-border humanitarian assistance to the Syrian people." Full Text»
Remarks at a UN Security Council Briefing on the Situation in Burma
Ambassador Niki Haley (Dec. 12): "Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Mr. Feltman, for your briefing. And thank you, Ms. Patten, for your leadership and your service. As we go through issues like this, it’s important that we hear stories. And when you hear the stories, you have to imagine the faces because otherwise it’s just a number. Or otherwise it’s just one more data piece that we didn’t know. But to understand that these are stories – and then you have to take it one step further and say, “What if this was your family?” Full Text»
Remarks at a UN Security Council Meeting on Human Rights in North Korea
Ambassador Haley (Dec. 11): The systematic human rights violations and abuses of the North Korean government are more than the cause of its people’s suffering. They are a means to a single end: Keeping the Kim Jong Un regime in power. The regime is using that power to develop an unnecessary arsenal and support enormous conventional military forces that pose a grave risk to international peace and security. Their menacing march towards nuclear weapons begins with the oppression and exploitation of ordinary North Korean people. Through the export of workers abroad to earn hard currency and the use of forced labor at home, the regime uses its people to underwrite its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. Full Text»
Explanation of Vote at the Adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2391 on the G5 Sahel
Ambassador Haley (Dec. 8): I’d like to begin today by expressing our heartfelt condolences to the families of the 14 Tanzanian peacekeepers killed and the more than 40 who were wounded in last night’s attack in eastern Congo. We are horrified by this cowardly attack on those who are sent to protect the most vulnerable. Every day, terrorism and violent extremism exact a tremendous human toll. There is not a member nation of this Council that has not been affected. In the Sahel, violent extremists, often in league with transnational organized criminal networks, attack civilians and peacekeepers with deadly impact that is felt throughout the region and beyond. The formation of the G5 Sahel Joint Force by Member States committed to security in the region shows real responsiveness to this threat. Continued African leadership is vital in this long-term effort, and the United States will continue to look for ways to promote economic resilience and civilian security through support to the Joint Force and other G5 initiatives. Full Text» Watch Here»
Press Statement: Attack on MONUSCO
Spokesperson Nauert (Dec. 8): The United States strongly condemns last night’s attack against MONUSCO, the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which killed at least 14 Tanzanian peacekeepers and wounded more than 50 others, in addition to at least five members of the DRC armed forces. We express our deepest condolences to the families of those killed, to the Government of Tanzania, the Government of the DRC and to MONUSCO. We wish those wounded a full and swift recovery. Full Text»
Press Statement: Continued Violence in the Central African Republic
Spokesperson Nauert (Dec. 6): The United States remains concerned about ongoing violence in the Central African Republic (CAR), and condemns in the strongest terms the continued targeted attacks against civilians, peacekeepers, and humanitarian actors. We further emphasize our strong support to the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), in its efforts to protect civilians from violence, prevent atrocities, and help stabilize the country. Full Text»
Press Statement: Human Rights Council Special Session on Burma
Spokesperson Nauert (Dec. 5): The United States urges an immediate end to violence, restoration of the rule of law, countrywide access for the UN Fact-Finding Mission, immediate humanitarian and media access to affected areas, and guaranteed and verifiably safe, voluntary, and dignified return for those who want to return to their homes. Respect for human rights of all peoples is a fundamental element of democracy and the United States stands ready to support the elected civilian government in its efforts to achieve peace, stability, and prosperity for all of Burma. Full Text» Watch Here»
U.S. Explanation of Vote at the U.N. Human Rights Council Special Session on Burma
Ambassador Currie (Dec. 5): The United States is pleased to cosponsor today’s special session in order to shine an urgent light on the grave human rights abuses occurring in Burma. We appreciate the information shared by the High Commissioner, the Special Rapporteur, Pak Marzuki Darusman, and SRSG Patten and others who have brought to light shocking new details about the nature and scale of the violence. We again call on the Government of Myanmar to provide access for the Fact Finding Mission and other UN mechanisms. We thank Bangladesh for organizing this session and for its generosity in receiving so many refugees fleeing for their lives. Full Text» Explanation of Vote» Watch Here»