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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.
Secretary Clinton Addresses UN Security Council on Syria
Secretary Clinton (Jan. 31): “So why is the Arab League here before this Security Council? Because they are seeking the support of the international community for a negotiated, peaceful political solution to this crisis and a responsible, democratic transition in Syria. And we all have a choice: Stand with the people of Syria and the region or become complicit in the continuing violence there.” Full Text» More»
Regime Violence in Syria
Secretary Clinton (Jan. 30): "The United States condemns in the strongest possible terms the escalation of the Syrian regime’s violent and brutal attacks on its own people. In the past few days we have seen intensified Syrian security operations all around the country which have killed hundreds of civilians. The government has shelled civilian areas with mortars and tank fire and brought down whole buildings on top of their occupants." Full Text»
2012 State of the Union Address
President Obama (Jan. 24): "We will safeguard America’s own security against those who threaten our citizens, our friends, and our interests. Look at Iran. Through the power of our diplomacy, a world that was once divided about how to deal with Iran’s nuclear program now stands as one. The regime is more isolated than ever before; its leaders are faced with crippling sanctions, and as long as they shirk their responsibilities, this pressure will not relent." Full Text»
Leading Reform at the United Nations
Ambassador Torsella (Jan. 20): "Today, we’re outlining a broad-based reform agenda for the UN with four pillars: economy, accountability, integrity, and excellence. In the months ahead, we’ll continue to push hard for a United Nations that is leaner, cleaner, respected, and effective." Full Text»
Teaching Respect for All
U.S., Brazil, UNESCO Launch Educational Curriculum Aimed at Strengthening the Foundations of Respect, Tolerance, Reducing Discrimination and Violence
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs Esther Brimmer, Director General of UNESCO Irina Bokova, and U.S. Permanent Representative to UNESCO David Killion at UNESCO headquarters in Paris for the launch of the Teaching Respect for All Initiative.
UNESCO Launches Teaching Respect for All Initiative
Assistant Secretary Brimmer (Jan. 18): "All forms of intolerance are an affront to human dignity. And we must respond: as members of a global community and as members of our local communities. As we challenge our youth to respond to these problems and make a difference, we need to offer them every bit of support that we can. Teaching Respect for All is about providing that support." Full Text» Media Note» More Information»
Appointment of Ambassador Ertharin Cousin as Executive Director of the World Food Programme
Secretary Clinton (Jan. 17): "I am delighted to congratulate Ambassador Ertharin Cousin on her appointment by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Food and Agriculture Organization Director General Jose Graziano da Silva to serve as the next Executive Director of the World Food Programme. For over 50 years, the World Food Programme has played a vital role in reducing global hunger, poverty and undernutrition worldwide, providing assistance to millions of men, women, and children in desperate need." Full Text»
The U.S. Mission to the International Organizations in Vienna is Hosting a Virtual Town Hall
Visit the US Mission’s Facebook page and post questions in the comments about nuclear nonproliferation, U.S. policy, nuclear security, or nuclear safety until Friday, January 13, 2012. Charge d’Affairs Robert Wood will provide answers in a video interview next week. You can also email your questions to pavienna@state.gov. If your question is chosen for the US Mission Town Hall, you will receive a copy of the fascinating photography book "100 Suns" by Michael Light. The Bureau of International Organization Affairs will post the video responses on its Tumblr page devoted to U.S. engagement with the United Nations and other international organizations.
Security Council Stakeout on Syria
Ambassador Rice (Jan. 10): The briefing we received on Syria was alarming by any standard. The Under-Secretary-General noted that in the days since the Arab League monitoring mission has been on the ground, in fact, some estimated 400 additional people have been killed, an average of 40 a day, a rate much higher than was the case before their deployment. That is a clear indication that the government of Syria, rather than using the opportunity of its commitment to the Arab League to end the violence and fulfill all of its commitments under the protocol, is instead stepping up the violence despite the presence of monitors and carrying out further acts of brutality against its population even often in the presence of those monitors. Full Text»
U.S. Condemns Iran's Announcement on Qom
Secretary Clinton (Jan. 10): "The United States condemns the Iranian government’s decision to begin enrichment operations at its Qom facility, an act contrary to its obligations under multiple United Nations Security Council and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors resolutions." Full Text»
World Wetlands Day Photo Celebration: Wetlands Tourism – A Great Experience (January 3-20, 2012)
Showcase the beauty of wetlands along with your talent! Submit your best photos to a World Wetlands Day photo celebration under this year’s theme “Wetlands Tourism: A Great Experience,” sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in partnership with the Ramsar Convention Secretariat. From Jan. 3-20, 2012 upload your best photo(s) to our Flickr site in one of four wetlands and tourism-related categories: wildlife, landscapes, plants, and tourists (one per category per participant). ALL are invited to mark your favorite photo in each category through Jan. 22. The top photos in each category will be showcased on U.S. Department of State, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Ramsar Convention Secretariat and its International Organization Partners’ websites and social media platforms around the world on World Wetlands Day, Feb. 2, 2012. Visit Facebook at www.facebook.com/StateDepartment.OES and www.flickr.com/groups/WWD2012PhotoCelebration for instructions and more information.
The Passing of National Defense Commission Chairman Kim Jong Il
Secretary Clinton (Dec. 19): With the passing of National Defense Commission Chairman Kim Jong Il, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is now in a period of national mourning. We are deeply concerned with the well being of the North Korean people and our thoughts and prayers are with them during these difficult times. It is our hope that the new leadership of the DPRK will choose to guide their nation onto the path of peace by honoring North Korea’s commitments, improving relations with its neighbors, and respecting the rights of its people. The United States stands ready to help the North Korean people and urges the new leadership to work with the international community to usher in a new era of peace, prosperity and lasting security on the Korean Peninsula. Full Text»
Women, Peace, and Security
On December 19, at Georgetown University, Secretary Clinton discussed new efforts across the U.S. government to support women's participation in peace and security, including plans to better protect women from conflict-related violence and promote women's leadership and perspectives in all aspects of conflict prevention, resolution, relief, and recovery. Secretary Clinton said, "The U.S. National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security [is] a roadmap for accelerating and institutionalizing efforts across the U.S. Government to advance women’s participation in making and keeping peace." Full Text» Fact Sheet»
Keynote Address at the International Crisis Group's "In Pursuit of Peace" Award Dinner
Secretary Clinton (Dec. 16): We can start by asking what’s missing from most peace talks and the agreements they produce. One answer to that question is women. In the past 20 years, hundreds of peace treaties have been signed. But a sampling of those treaties shows that less than 8 percent of negotiators were women. Now, there is a clear moral argument – after all, women do represent half of humanity and they have, we have, a fundamental right to participate in the decisions that shape our lives. But the moral argument has so far failed to change behavior on the front lines, where it matters most. So we need to move the discussion off the margins and into the center of the global debate, and we frankly have to appeal to the self-interest of all people, men as well as women. Because including more women in peacemaking is not just the right thing to do, it’s also the smart thing to do. This is about our own national security and the security of people everywhere. Tonight I want briefly to examine the growing body of evidence that shows how women contribute to making and keeping peace – and that those contributions lead to better outcomes for entire societies. Full Text»
Recognition of International Human Rights Day
Secretary Clinton (Dec. 6): "The Obama Administration defends the human rights of LGBT people as part of our comprehensive human rights policy and as a priority of our foreign policy." Full Text»
Presidential Memorandum
President Obama released a memorandum on December 6, 2011 addressing international initiatives to advance the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and Transgender persons (LGBT). This memorandum directs all agencies engaged abroad to ensure that U.S. diplomacy and foreign assistance promote and protect the human rights of LGBT persons.
UN Human Rights Council Holds Special Session on Syria
Ambassador Donahoe (Dec. 2): For the third time this year, we join a special session to make clear the international community’s grave concerns over the situation in Syria, where the authorities are committing mass atrocities and gross human rights violations against the Syrian people… We once again call on the Syrian regime to immediately admit the Commission of Inquiry and grant it unfettered access throughout Syria. Similarly, Syria must immediately admit Arab League monitors, independent human rights monitors, and humanitarian organizations, with no restrictions on their activities… We condemn in the strongest possible terms the ongoing slaughter, the arbitrary arrest, and the torture of peaceful protestors. We will continue to work with regional partners and the broader international community to pressure the Assad regime to end the violence against the Syrian people. Full Text»
Release of the Commission of Inquiry Report on Syria
Ambassador Donahoe (Nov. 28): The United States welcomes the release this morning of the report by the independent international Commission of Inquiry on Syria…The Commission’s findings confirm what we have been hearing for several months -- that on a nearly daily basis the Assad regime is killing peaceful demonstrators and committing arbitrary detentions, torture, and other serious human rights violations. This report amplifies an already growing chorus of international condemnation and call for action It is clear to anyone who reads it that Assad's unwillingness to end his regime's violence is taking Syria down a very dangerous path despite efforts led by the Syrian people to start a peaceful transition to democracy. Full Text»
Syria Human Rights Resolution in the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee
Ambassador Rice (Nov. 22): Today, the United Nations General Assembly spoke up for the people of Syria and against the Asad Regime, which has repeatedly gone to horrific lengths to silence dissent. By overwhelmingly adopting its first-ever resolution on Syria’s human rights abuses, the General Assembly’s Third Committee has sent a clear message that it does not accept abuse and death as a legitimate path to retaining power. Full Text»
International Atomic Energy Agency Board of Governor’s Resolution on Iran
Secretary Clinton (Nov. 18): We welcome today’s resolution by the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) Board of Governors to hold Iran accountable for its failure to cooperate on its nuclear program. The world has sent a clear and unified message to Tehran that it is deeply troubled by the evidence revealed in last week’s report by Director General Amano. This report supplied the clearest confirmation of what the United States has long believed – that, despite its constant denials, Iran’s government has pursued technologies and equipment that could only be applied to a nuclear weapons program. Iran has said that it seeks nuclear power solely for peaceful purposes. However, the Director General’s report and today’s action by the IAEA Board of Governors underscore that the international community does not find Iran’s claims credible. Full Text» Statement by Ambassador Davies»
U.S. Welcomes Lifting of Suspension of Libya’s Membership Rights in the UN Human Rights Council
Ambassador Donahoe (Nov. 18): The United States welcomes the reinstatement today of Libya’s membership rights in the United Nations Human Rights Council. The resolution adopted this morning by the United Nations General Assembly was based on commitments made by the new Libyan government to uphold its obligations under international human rights law, to promote and protect human rights, democracy and the rule of law, and to cooperate with relevant international human rights mechanisms, as well as the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the International Commission of Inquiry established by the Human Rights Council. Full Text»
Commemorating UN Day With the Houston Community
Assistant Secretary for International Organization Affairs Esther Brimmer blogged about her recent trip to Texas
Assistant Secretary Brimmer (Oct. 29): I just returned from a trip to Houston during which I met with a dynamic and diverse cross section of the Houston community over the course of two days. United Nations Day, which has been celebrated every October 24th since 1948, was the reason for my visit to Houston. It was only fitting that, on this 66th Anniversary, I travel to one of the United States’ most multicultural, academic and business oriented cities to celebrate this important day. UN Day marks the anniversary of the date that the UN Charter entered into force in 1945; its creation represented the ambition of the nations of the world, who believed that by working through the UN, they could promote global peace and a common prosperity, advancing the mutual security of nations and the universal rights of all peoples. Full Text»
Bridging Divides: Youth, Peace, and Reconciliation
IO Assistant Secretary Brimmer and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Peace and Reconciliation Forest Whitaker participated in a live discussion as a part of the Department’s Conversations With America program.
United Nations Day 2011
Ambassador Rice (Oct 24): Today, we commemorate the creation of the United Nations and its founding Charter, which entered into force 66 years ago. The UN’s founders, who included U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, envisioned amid the devastation of war an institution that would keep peace, support democracy, and promote respect for human rights—a pragmatic, truly global mechanism for furthering our security and well-being in the 20th century. Read More»
International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
Ambassador Rice (Oct. 17): "On the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, we recognize that a cruel injustice has been done whenever a child is limited not by ability but by lack of food or water; whenever a woman loses her life simply for giving birth; whenever a precious daughter or son succumbs to a disease that is preventable. Poverty is ruinous to the fabric of societies—but it also tears at the ties between nations. Our greatest threats to international peace and security often incubate in societies that can’t meet the basic needs of their people. In an interconnected world, protecting our humanity and promoting our security means redoubling our fight against extreme poverty." Full Text»
World Food Day
Secretary Clinton (Oct. 16): "Today we remember the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organization and re-commit ourselves to ending global hunger. Food security is a foreign policy priority for the United States. We must continue to find new and innovative ways to get food into the hands of more people." Full Text»
Making Progress in the Fight Against Hunger: World Food Day 2011
Jonathan Shrier serves as Special Representative for Global Food Security (Acting) and Ertharin Cousin serves as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture blogged on World Food Day:
(October 16): Today, World Food Day, reminds us that hunger is a reality for nearly a billion people worldwide. Rising and volatile food prices since last year have pushed tens of millions of additional people into the ranks of the hungry. This is a particularly poignant day as we have just returned from the Horn of Africa, where there more than 13 million people are in need of emergency humanitarian assistance. In Somalia, a lack of effective governance and the actions of the al-Shabaab terrorist group in preventing humanitarian aid from reaching those in need have turned a bad drought into outright famine. More»
Addressing Potential Threats from Iran: Administration Perspectives on Implementing New Economic Sanctions One Year Later
Under Secretary Sherman (Oct. 13): "The world today is unified to an unprecedented degree in its concern that a nuclear-armed Iran would undermine the stability of the Gulf region, the broader Middle East, and the global economy. In defiance of U.N. Security Council and IAEA Board of Governors resolutions, Iran has continued to expand its sensitive nuclear activities, and refuses to cooperate with the IAEA, raising strong, legitimate concerns about the purpose of the nuclear program. Beyond the nuclear issue, Iran continues its longstanding support to terrorist organizations such as Hizballah, Hamas, and Palestine Islamic Jihad (PIJ), as well as by its support to newer proxy militia groups in Iraq." Full Text»
Protecting the Human Rights of LGBT People
DRL Deputy Assistant Secretary Baer delivers keynote remarks at Compass to Compassion Conference
Deputy Assistant Secretary Baer (Oct. 12): "Hate crimes against LGBT people continue to plague many countries including our own. Hatred of, discrimination against and marginalization of LGBT people hampers economic development, public health, and social cohesion wherever it occurs. Intolerance prevents the achievement of a rights respecting society that preserves the dignity of each person... the United States has been leading within the UN system to make clear that human rights apply to everyone, without exception." Full Text»
America’s Pacific Century
In an op-ed in foreign policy magazine Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton declares that the future of politics will be decided in Asia, not Afghanistan or Iraq, and the United States will be right at the center of the action:
Secretary Clinton (Oct. 11): "Even as we strengthen these bilateral relationships, we have emphasized the importance of multilateral cooperation, for we believe that addressing complex transnational challenges of the sort now faced by Asia requires a set of institutions capable of mustering collective action...So the United States has moved to fully engage the region's multilateral institutions, such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, mindful that our work with regional institutions supplements and does not supplant our bilateral ties. There is a demand from the region that America play an active role in the agenda-setting of these institutions -- and it is in our interests as well that they be effective and responsive." Full Text»
Ambassador Peacekeepers at our Doorstep
IO Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Holt blogged about her recent trip to Haiti: "We imagine United Nations peacekeeping missions in far-off countries, perhaps distant from our own interests. But as I witnessed on my recent visit to Haiti, the issues are very real -- and why we are working to provide support to the rule of law in a country often challenge by political insecurity with the efforts of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH)." Read More»
Ambassador Rice Discusses Recent UN Security Council Vote on the Situation in Syria
Ambassador Rice (Oct. 4): "Let me be clear: the United States believes it is past time that this Council assume its responsibilities and impose tough, targeted sanctions and an arms embargo on the Assad regime, as we have done domestically…Yet today, the courageous people of Syria can now clearly see who on this Council supports their yearning for liberty and universal human rights—and who does not. And during this season of change, the people of the Middle East can now see clearly which nations have chosen to ignore their calls for democracy and instead prop up desperate, cruel dictators. Those who oppose this resolution and give cover to a brutal regime will have to answer to the Syrian people—and, indeed, to people across the region who are pursuing the same universal aspirations." Full Text»
