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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.
Assistant Secretary Brimmer Rings The NASDAQ Stock Market Opening Bell
On September 27, Assistant Secretary Brimmer and State Department employees visited NASDAQ Headquarters in Times Square
"This is a busy week for U.S. diplomacy at the United Nations, which is hosting the 67th annual UN General Assembly. As the President said on Tuesday, all of us have a stake in working toward greater opportunity and security for our citizens. And here in the United States, here in New York, we’re seeing a clear return on the investment we have made in the UN. Increasingly, we’re meeting global threats with effective cooperation. That includes tough international sanctions on nuclear programs in Iran and North Korea, and strengthened UN efforts on counterterrorism and conflict prevention." Full Text» Additional Photos»
The Community of Democracies UN Democracy Caucus
Deputy Assistant Secretary Paula Schriefer (Sept. 25): "I wish to thank HE President of Mongolia and the Mongolian Mission for convening this meeting and express our support for Mongolia’s Presidency of the Community of Democracies. I would also like to add my congratulations to Maria Leissner on her appointment as Secretary General. The core of the rule of law is that every citizen enjoys individual rights which are protected by law and that such rights must be respected and protected by governments in a transparent and accountable way, consistent with international human rights law. Even government and government officials must obey the law and are answerable to the law if they fail to obey it." Full Text»
U.S. Goals and Priorities for UNGA
Assistant Secretary Brimmer (Sept. 21): "[The] General Assembly high-level meetings offer opportunities for nations of the world to build partnerships towards shared goals... and to stand together to reject the kind of violence that we've seen over the past two weeks." Full Text» DipNote» United Nations 67th General Assembly»
Remarks on UNGA 67 and U.S. Multilateral Priorities
Assistant Secretary Brimmer (Sept. 18): "The nature of the twenty-first century means that American security and prosperity are inseparable from that of the rest of the world. Our world today is more interconnected, more networked, and more complex than ever. National economies are intertwined and interdependent. New technology spreads information and influence to more people than ever before – a phenomenon that is not always positive, as the events of the past week have highlighted. But as President Obama said last week, the United States cannot withdraw from the rest of the world." Full Text»
Secretary of Energy Steven Chu addressed 2012 IAEA General Conference
Secretary Chu (Sept. 17): The Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty has been upheld, and at the Nuclear Security Summits in Washington and Seoul, we made important progress in securing nuclear materials. Working with allies and partners, we have also made it clear that treaties are binding, rules will be enforced, and violations must have consequences. This conference is an opportunity to build on this progress we have made by ensuring the IAEA has the resources and authority needed to carry out its mandate. Full Text»
Preview of U.S. Priorities at the 67th Session of the UN General Assembly
On Tuesday, September 18, 2012 (2:00-3:00pm) Assistant Secretary for International Organization Affairs, Esther Brimmer will deliver her annual address previewing U.S. priorities at the UN General Assembly at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Daniel F. Runde, Director of the Project on Prosperity and Development and Schreyer Chair in Global Analysis, Center for Strategic and International Studies will introduce her and moderate the discussion. Read More»
Assessing U.S. Policy on Peacekeeping Operations in Africa
Assistant Secretary Brimmer Testifies Before the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Africa Subcommittee
Assistant Secretary Brimmer (Sept. 13): This Administration’s support for UN peacekeeping is deep, and builds on a strong, decades-long, bipartisan effort to improve these operations’ effectiveness. That support is rooted in the fact that peacekeeping is not a policy in itself, but rather a key tool to deliver on policy goals. UN missions deploy to promote lasting political settlements that can in turn bring a durable peace. They provide backing for those who agree to put down their guns and to support the rule of law. Full Text»
Conversations With America: Addressing Global Challenges at the UN
(Sept. 11): Esther Brimmer, Assistant Secretary of State for International Organizations, held a conversation with Stewart Patrick, Senior Fellow and Director of the International Institutions and Global Governance Program at the Council on Foreign Relations, and Heather Hurlburt, Executive Director of the National Security Network, on Addressing Global Challenges at the UN. More | You can read the transcript here.
21st Session of the UN Human Rights Council (Sept. 10 -28)
The UN Human Rights Council opened on September 10th with an address from United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and an update by High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay, followed by a general debate.
Recent Highlights:
More | Flickr: Photos from US Mission in Geneva | Keep up with the session on twitter by following @State_IO, @USMissionGeneva & @AmbDonahoe
Remarks on International Literacy Day 2012
Assistant Secretary Brimmer (Sept. 7): Each time we teach a child, a woman, a man to read and write it has a ripple effect --on their families, their communities, and other sectors of their nation well. We know the facts about literacy education and development. If a country elevates its literacy rate by 20 percent, its GDP also can increase by as much as 16 percent. On the other hand if less than 40 percent of a nation’s population can read, it cannot achieve rapid economic growth.” Full Text | International Literacy Day Message from Former First Lady, Laura Bush | Houston Chronicle Op-Ed by UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova and Former First Lady, Laura Bush
Young Professional’s Program Examination: Accepting Applications Through September 12, 2012
Assistant Secretary Brimmer (July 31): Today’s global challenges require global solutions. Whether climate change, food security, regional conflicts, health crises, or other burning issues, the international community, in the form of its international organizations, must play a crucial role. You can help address some of the most interesting issues of our era by seeking a career in international affairs beginning with the United Nation’s Young Professionals Program. You can apply now to take the examination for this program. Full Text» Employment Opportunities in International Organizations» UN Careers»
U.S. Youth Observer Program
Aug. 24: This year, the Department of State is teaming up with the United Nations Association of the USA to send one young U.S. citizen to the UN General Assembly in New York through the U.S. Youth Observer program. DipNote» More»
Diplomacy & Multilateralism
On August 22, Assistant Secretary Brimmer participated in a roundtable discussion at the Lowy Institute for International Policy. Following the roundtable, Assistant Secretary Brimmer sat down with Martine Letts, Deputy Director of the Lowy Institute to discuss the Obama Administration’s renewed focus on multilateral institutions and regional diplomacy.
Assistant Secretary Brimmer’s Participation in the Pacific Islands Forum
Assistant Secretary for International Organization Affairs Esther Brimmer will travel to Australia, New Zealand, and the Cook Islands, August 19 – September 2, 2012.
On August 19, Assistant Secretary Brimmer will begin her visit to the Pacific region. In advance of her involvement in the Pacific Islands Forum, she will make stops in Sydney, Canberra, Wellington and Auckland. While in these cities she will meet high level officials, civil society groups and students to discuss the role of U.S. multilateral engagement in addressing global challenges. Read More»
World Humanitarian Day
Let's send the biggest social media message in history! Join Beyoncé, the UN and humanitarian aid organizations around the world to reach 1 billion people, on 1 day, with 1 message of hope. Add your voice by signing up at http://www.whd-iwashere.org/ with your social network. Your message will be stored until August 19th. On August 19th, every message will be automatically sent out as one voice, along with a special World Humanitarian Day performance by Beyoncé.
Every year on August 19th, World Humanitarian Day recognizes those who face danger and adversity to help others. Learn More»
U.S. Strategy To Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence Globally
Ambassador-at-Large Melanne Verveer (Aug. 14): President Obama and Secretary Clinton's commitment to advancing the rights of women and girls and improving their status around the world is embodied in the U.S Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence, and the Executive Order that will set it into motion. The strategy lays out concrete objectives and actions to marshal the United States' expertise and capacity to address gender-based violence, and represents a multi-sector and whole of government approach -- one that includes the justice, legal, security, health, education, economic, social services, humanitarian, and development sectors. DipNote Blog»
Multilateral Engagement and Its Benefits for Americans
DAS Nerissa Cook Speaks at Reception hosted by the Better World Campaign and the U.S. Council for International Business
Deputy Assistant Secretary Cook (July 26): "While many Americans are unfamiliar with the “alphabet soup” of UN specialized and technical agencies, the truth is every American citizen and business receives very real benefits from these agencies. We depend on these global systems for the communication and transportation that is the underpinning for our contemporary, interconnected world. Without these global institutions, we would resort to a piecemeal web of hundreds or thousands of bilateral and regional treaties, agreements, or other solutions – and it still wouldn’t be as comprehensive or as strong a system for cooperation." Full Text»
Ustream Fireside Chat with US Representative to the UN Human Rights Council
Join Ambassador Eileen Chamberlain Donahoe for a live Fireside chat via Ustream on Thursday, July 19 from 4 to 4:30 p.m. PST. Ambassador Eileen Chamberlain Donahoe is the U.S. representative to Human Rights Council, the UN body responsible for the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe. Tweet Your Questions in advance or during the chat to #AskECD:. Visit http://www.ustream.tv/conx to listen and participate in the chat.
IO Deputy Assistant Secretary Paula Schriefer Participates In Brookings Institution Panel Discussion
Translating Human Rights Into Practice: A Conversation on the United Nations Human Rights Council
Deputy Assistant Secretary Schriefer (July 11): "I’m going to start by highlighting some of the main priorities and achievements at the 20th Session of the Human Rights Council, which I think both underscore the broadening scope and efficacy of the Council, and highlight the instrumental role of United States engagement with a diverse range of countries from all regions of the world to address urgent human rights concerns. U.S. leadership kept the Council at the forefront of international efforts to promote and protect human rights in Syria, Belarus and Eritrea and led to the passing of historic resolutions on Internet freedom and women’s equal right to nationality." Full Text» More About This Event» Audio»
Destruction of Muslim Shrines in Timbuktu
Spokesperson Nuland (July 11): The United States strongly condemns the destruction of Muslim shrines and other religious and historic sites in Timbuktu by Islamic militants, including Ansar al-Dine. We are outraged by the continued destruction of these World Heritage Sites and the ongoing intimidation of local populations. We join UNESCO in urging an immediate end to these destructive and irreversible acts and call for all parties to protect this invaluable cultural heritage for future generations. This is an assault not just on Mali but on the heritage of all Africans, and those responsible for these acts should be brought to justice.
We remain deeply concerned about the situation of the Malian people. Mali has been a strong partner of the United States in the areas of democracy and governance, economic development, and peace and security. We support the on-going efforts of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union to bring about a return to civilian rule in Mali and to mediate a solution to the rebellion in the north. In addition, we appeal to all parties to ensure impartial and unhindered humanitarian access to any and all populations in northern Mali. Full Text»
The 20th Session of the UN Human Rights Council is ongoing until July 6, 2012
Here are some of the most recent highlights from the council’s meetings:
More: Us Mission To The United Nations In Geneva (HRC20)
