Bureau of International Organization Affairs
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The Bureau of International Organization Affairs develops and implements U.S. policy in the United Nations, its specialized and voluntary agencies, and other international organizations. The Bureau’s mission is to advance U.S. national interests through multilateral diplomacy, while ensuring that the international organizations with which we work are effective, efficient, and accountable. Read More»
IO Welcomes UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova
![Date: 01/22/2010 Location: Washington, DC Description: Assistant Secretary Esther Brimmer welcomes Ambassador David T. Killion (U.S. Permanent Representative to UNESCO), and UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova. State Dept Image](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20100217165655im_/http://www.state.gov/img/10/35843/brimmer_unesco_dg_250_1.jpg)
Assistant Secretary Brimmer welcomed Director-General Bokova, the first woman top executive of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) during her first official visit to Washington, DC. State Department representatives engaged Ms. Bokova about ongoing efforts in Haiti; emphasizing gender equity in education and science; and strengthening freedom of the press.
Cooperation Among Haiti, the United States, and the United Nations in Relief EffortsAssistant Secretary Brimmer (Jan. 19): "Governments, the United Nations, international organizations, NGOs, private enterprise and hundreds of thousands of private individuals from all corners of the globe have answered the call to help -- to help Haiti at its time of need. Today I'd like to concentrate my comments on that particular effort, and particularly on the role being played by the United Nations, in partnership with my country, the United States, and many others."
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Bureau Engages Civil Society and Congressional Staff Regarding Diverse Multilateral Engagement Efforts, January 5, 2010
![Date: 01/05/2010 Location: Washington, DC Description: IO Bureau Rountable Panelists: (left to right) Deputy Assistant Secretary Suzanne Nossel, Ambassador David Killion (US UNESCO), Assistant Secretary Esther Brimmer, Ambassador Glyn Davies (USUN Vienna), Ambassador Ertharin Cousin (USUN Rome) © State Dept Image Date: 01/05/2010 Location: Washington, DC Description: IO Bureau Rountable Panelists: (left to right) Deputy Assistant Secretary Suzanne Nossel, Ambassador David Killion (US UNESCO), Assistant Secretary Esther Brimmer, Ambassador Glyn Davies (USUN Vienna), Ambassador Ertharin Cousin (USUN Rome) © State Dept Image](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20100217165655im_/http://www.state.gov/img/10/35570/2010_0105_panelists_250_1.jpg)
The Bureau welcomed the visit of Ambassador Ertharin Cousin (
USUN Rome), Ambassador Glyn Davies (
USUN Vienna) and Ambassador David Killion (
US UNESCO Paris) by hosting representatives from a wide variety of non-governmental organizations and Capitol Hill staff for a dialogue regarding practical realities of working with UN Agencies. The Ambassadors and Deputy Assistant Secretary Suzanne Nossel all provided highlights of their tenures. The gathering discussed a range of topics, including: progress with UN reform; bilateral and multilateral human rights strategy; and State Department reform to encourage multilateral professional development.
Assistant Secretary Brimmer Recognizes Human Rights Day
"The United States does not underestimate the challenge – the world has made great strides in the last six decades, but too many around the world remain subject to human rights abuses and restricted freedoms and liberties. Traveling the remaining distance to a world without such abuses will require us to heed President Obama’s call to action – that all nations should work together to confront the common challenges of the 21st century. As we mark Human Rights Day, the United States is dedicated to that approach, and will aspire with all like-minded nations toward a world in which the Universal Declaration is universally upheld." DipNote Blog»
State Department Supports Global Summit for Women Leaders in Geneva
Women leaders from nearly 30 countries met in Geneva, December 8 – 10, at the Courage to Lead: a Global Summit for Women Leaders in Human Rights, organized by Vital Voices and the Eleanor Roosevelt Project with prominent support from both the Department of State and the United Nations office in Geneva. More»