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Saturday, September 18, 2010

The U.S. at the U.N. and Beyond: A World of Transnational Challenges


Esther Brimmer
Assistant Secretary, Bureau of International Organization Affairs
Johns Hopkins School of International Studies

Washington, DC

September 15, 2010

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I am particularly honored to be here on the eve of the 65th General Assembly. For the United States, for President Obama and the Administration, the upcoming UN General Assembly session is an opportunity to take stock, and to measure progress and the global impact of the President’s new era of engagement.

Over the past 18 months, the President’s repositioning of the United States internationally has both strengthened our security through concrete actions, and revitalized the multilateral system, giving hope to many around the globe.

The United States is meeting the challenges of our times by rolling up our sleeves and embracing the responsibilities outlined by the President last September at the UN, "to act boldly and collectively on behalf of justice and prosperity at home and abroad."

We are at the table and leading by example as we work together with international partners, including the UN, to address the common challenges we face.

We know that working with international organizations is a fundamental part of modern diplomacy. International organizations are places to find common solutions to complex problems.
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As the President said during his Nobel lecture, "Those regimes that break the rules must be held accountable. Sanctions must exact a real price. Intransigence must be met with increased pressure—and such pressure exists only when the world stands together as one."

In this case, a few bad actors, particularly Iran and North Korea, remain defiant in their non-compliance and threaten international peace and security. That is why it is imperative that the international community join the U.S. in holding Iran and North Korea accountable for violating their international obligations.
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Our fundamental long term commitment to universal human rights is clear. We support strengthening the UN's response to human rights concerns, and weaving human rights protection into its work across the UN system.
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As Secretary Clinton has stated, "We advance our security, our prosperity, and our values by improving the material conditions of people's lives around the world."

The upcoming General Assembly session and the High Level MDG plenary, which will meet immediately preceding this session, provide an opportunity to build on the President’s commitment to development and highlight American leadership in working with the international community to meet the MDG’s 2015 targets.
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Read whole article: http://www.state.gov/p/io/rm/2010/147232.htm
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