Bureau of International Organization Affairs
Dr. Esther Brimmer was nominated by President Obama to the position of Assistant Secretary of State for International Organizations on March 11, 2009, and was confirmed to that position by the United States Senate on April 2, 2009. In her role as Assistant Secretary, Dr. Brimmer leads the Bureau of International Organization Affairs, which strives to advance U.S. interests through international organizations in areas including human rights, peacekeeping, food security, humanitarian relief, and climate change. -Full Text
Foreign Policy Address at the Council on Foreign Relations
Secretary Clinton (July 15): "From the UN to the World Bank, from the IMF to the G-8 and the G-20, from the OAS and the Summit of the Americas to ASEAN and APEC – all of these and other institutions have a role to play, but their continued vitality and relevance depend on their legitimacy and representativeness, and the ability of their members to act swiftly and responsibly when problems arise." -Full Text
U.S. Joins the Human Rights Council
On June 19, the United States assumed its seat on the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. The U.S. was elected to a three-year term on the Council on May 12. U.S. Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations in Geneva, Mark Storella, outlined the firm U.S. commitment to human rights in remarks made to the Council, stating: “The United States assumes its seat on the Council with gratitude, humility, and in the spirit of cooperation. President Obama recently underscored that spirit, stating: “There must be a sustained effort to listen to each other; to learn from each other; to respect one another; and to seek common ground.” -Full text of the June 19 U.S. statement to the Council
U.S. Hosts Geneva Event on Race and Tolerance
On June 5, Assistant Secretary Brimmer hosted a panel discussion on race and tolerance in the United States. The discussion, held in Geneva during the first week of the current session of the UN Human Rights Council, featured participation by Wade Henderson, President and CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, and Karen Stevens, Counsel to the Assistant U.S. Attorney General for Civil Rights. The event was moderated by the President of the Human Rights Council, Ambassador Martin Uhomoibhi. Speaking about the strong U.S. commitment to human rights, the Assistant Secretary stated:
"This event is just one element in our larger resolve to work actively and constructively on human rights and civil rights issues. This resolve is further evidenced by our decision to reengage in the Human Rights Council, currently as observers. We were pleased and deeply honored to win a seat on the Human Rights Council itself, and we pledge to employ that seat to be strong advocates for human rights." -More
Other U.S. Missions
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 | U.S. Mission Paris
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 | U.S. Mission Vienna
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 | U.S. Mission Rome
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Commemoration of World Humanitarian Day
Secretary Clinton (Aug. 19): "Today, the United States is honored to join the international community in commemorating the first World Humanitarian Day. Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2008 to increase public awareness about humanitarian activities around the world, World Humanitarian Day is also an occasion to honor aid workers who labor every day on behalf of some of the world’s most vulnerable people." -Full Text -Statement by UN Ambassador Rice
Statement on UN Security Council Action on Aung San Suu Kyi
Amb. Rice (Aug. 13): "The UN Security Council today unanimously expressed serious concern about the conviction and sentencing of Aung Sun Kyi and called on the Burmese regime to release all political prisoners and create the necessary conditions for genuine dialogue in order to achieve national reconciliation." -Full Text
Remarks by Amb. Susan Rice and White House Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett at the Signing of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Amb. Rice (July 30): "This Treaty, as you all know, is the first new human rights convention of the 21st century adopted by the United Nations and further advances the human rights of the 650 million people with disabilities worldwide. It urges equal protection and equal benefits under the law for all citizens, it rejects discrimination in all its forms, and calls for the full participation and inclusion in society of all persons with disabilities." Full Text
Confronting New Challenges Facing UN Peacekeeping Operations
Amb. Rice (July 29): "Increasing the effectiveness and the efficiency of peacekeeping is one of the Obama Administration’s highest priorities at the United Nations. The Administration recognizes that many of today’s peacekeeping operations face significant limitations and challenges. But like our predecessors, we know that UN peacekeeping addresses pressing international needs and serves our national interests." -Opening Statement -Written Statement -View Video
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