Bureau of International Organization Affairs
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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.
Explanation of Vote on a Japanese Draft of UN Security Council Resolution to Extend the Mandate of the Joint Investigative Mechanism
Ambassador Haley (Nov. 17): All the members of this Council and their staff have worked for months on preserving and strengthening the Joint Investigative Mechanism. We have worked knowing that lives were at stake. We have worked knowing the international chemical weapons nonproliferation regime was also at stake. And all that time – hundreds of hours – has been for nothing. As we have long suspected, Russia does not now and has never had any intention of making this time productive for this Council and the international community. Russia’s veto – its second in 24 hours – shows us that Russia has no interest in finding common ground with the rest of this Council to save the JIM. Russia will not agree to any mechanism that might shine a spotlight on the use of chemical weapons by its ally, the Syrian regime. It’s as simple and shameful as that. Full Text»
Explanation of Vote on a Draft UN Security Council Resolution to Extend the Mandate of the Joint Investigative Mechanism
Ambassador Haley (Nov. 16): Thank you, Mr. President. Chapter Seven of the UN Charter gives this Council the responsibility to “determine the existence of any threat to peace, breach of the peace, or act of aggression and…make recommendations…to maintain or restore international peace and security.” Among the greatest threats to peace and security is the use of chemical weapons. That’s why, for more than two decades, the international community has outlawed the production, stockpiling, and use of chemical weapons. And for almost half a decade, this Council has worked tirelessly to put an end to the use of these weapons in Syria. Full Text»
Press Statement: The U.S. Withdraws From UNESCO
Spokesperson Nauert: "On October 12, the Department of State notified UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova of the U.S. decision to withdraw from the organization and to seek to establish a permanent observer mission to UNESCO. This decision was not taken lightly, and reflects U.S. concerns with mounting arrears at UNESCO, the need for fundamental reform in the organization, and continuing anti-Israel bias at UNESCO." Full Text»
Fact Sheet: Key Outcomes of U.S. Priorities at the UN Human Rights Council's 36th Session
(Oct. 3): At the 36th Session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, September 11-29, U.S. leadership was active and effective in shaping the international response to urgent human rights situations. On numerous resolutions and actions covering both country-specific and thematic topics, U.S. engagement protected critical equities of the United States, provided clarity on country-specific situations, and achieved successful outcomes on difficult issues. Fact Sheet»
U.S. National Statement to the 61st IAEA General Conference
U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry (Sept. 18): "For the past six decades, the IAEA member states have made great strides in promoting the peaceful use of nuclear technology and developing nonproliferation norms. Strong partnerships between our nations and respect for these norms continue to be vital to achieving our shared goals of harnessing nuclear energy and ensuring a more peaceful world. The United States remains committed to working closely with the IAEA in establishing nuclear security guidelines, preventing the loss or theft of nuclear materials, and putting an end to the threat of nuclear terrorism—one of the greatest challenges to international security." Full Text»
U.S. Statement to the IAEA Board of Governors on Iran
Charge d’Affaires a.i. Shampaine (Sept. 12): "The United States once again extends its appreciation to the Director General, the Deputy Director General for Safeguards, and their staff for their excellent work and continued professionalism in carrying out their responsibilities in Iran. We welcome the Director General’s August 31st report confirming that the IAEA continues to monitor and verify Iran’s implementation of all nuclear-related commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action." Full Text»
Response to Venezuelan Foreign Minister’s Remarks to the Human Rights Council
(Sept 11): The Venezuelan Foreign Minister’s address to the Human Rights Council is a transparent attempt to shift attention away from both the rupture in Venezuela’s constitutional order and the Maduro regime’s sustained repression of political dissent and efforts to sow fear among its critics. It is thus an affront to the Council. The Venezuelan government’s actions are diametrically opposed to all that the Human Rights Council should stand for. We encourage the international community to seize this opportunity to condemn the Maduro regime for the assumption of legislative powers by an illegitimate constituent assembly, and for the human rights violations and abuses it continues to commit with impunity. Full Text»
Fact Sheet: Resolution 2375 (2017) Strengthening Sanctions on North Korea
(Sept. 11): Resolution 2375 (2017), adopted unanimously by the United Nations Security Council on September 11, 2017, strengthens UN sanctions on North Korea in response to the North Korea nuclear test conducted on September 2, 2017. As such, this resolution sends a very clear message to North Korea that the Security Council is united in condemning North Korea’s violations and demanding North Korea give up its prohibited nuclear and ballistic missile programs. Fact Sheet»
Remarks by Ambassador Haley Following the Adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2375 on North Korea Sanctions
Ambassador Haley (Sept. 11): "We are done trying to prod the regime to do the right thing. We are now acting to stop it from having the ability to continue doing the wrong thing. We are doing that by hitting North Korea’s ability to fuel and fund its weapons program. Oil is the lifeblood of North Korea’s effort to build and deliver a nuclear weapon. Today’s resolution reduces almost 30 percent of oil provided to North Korea by cutting off over 55 percent of its gas, diesel, and heavy fuel oil. Further, today’s resolution completely bans natural gas and other oil byproducts that could be used as substitutes for the reduced petroleum. This will cut deep." Full Text»
Readout of a Meeting Between Ambassador Haley and Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency Yukiya Amano
Vienna, Austria (Aug. 23): Ambassador Nikki Haley, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, met with Yukiya Amano, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) today in Vienna, Austria. Ambassador Haley is in Vienna to meet with IAEA officials to discuss the IAEA’s monitoring and verification efforts and Iran’s compliance with the nuclear deal, as enshrined in UN Security Council Resolution 2231. Full Text»
Explanation of Vote at the Adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2371 Strengthening Sanctions on North Korea
Resolution 2371 (2017) Strengthening Sanctions on North Korea
(Aug. 5): Resolution 2371 (2017), adopted unanimously by the United Nations Security Council on August 5, 2017, strengthens UN sanctions on North Korea in response to its two intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) tests conducted on July 3, 2017 and July 28, 2017. As such, this resolution sends a clear message to North Korea that the Security Council is united in condemning North Korea’s violations and demanding North Korea give up its prohibited nuclear and ballistic missile programs. Fact Sheet»