| | Bureau of International Organization Affairs (IO)
Why the United Nations Matters to U.S. Foreign Policy: The United Nations is still a vital institution  and is an important tool of U.S. foreign policy, according to Assistant Secretary Kim R. Holmes. While the UN has significant problems, the U.S. remains committed to the organization and will strive to make it as effective as possible to meet the threats of our time. [more] Click on photo for larger version and caption.
A New Commitment to Shared Democratic Values: Assistant Secretary Kim R. Holmes says that the UN and its democratic members states must be more effective in spreading democracy and freedom around the world. [more]
Democracy and Accountability are Essential to UN Reform:
The UN sometimes fails to live up to its promise and purpose, Deputy Assistant Secretary Mark P. Lagon told a press conference in Geneva, December 14. Failures in the area of human rights are a clear example of this. [more]
![Assistant Secretary Holmes at UN Organization Mission, Democratic Repubublic of the Congo [State Department photo]](https://web.archive.org/all/20041228211520im_/http://www.state.gov/cms_images/holmes_peacekeeping_150.jpg) Assistant Secretary Holmes Reviews Peacekeeping Operations: Assistant Secretary Kim R. Holmes visited the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo October 24-28, 2004. [more]
Peacekeeping, Human Rights Dominate U.S. Presidency of November UNSC Session: The United States was UN Security Council President for the month of November and led the Council in dealing with a number of important issues. [more]
![Copy of UN declaration [AP photo]](https://web.archive.org/all/20041228211520im_/http://www.state.gov/cms_images/declaration_150.jpg)
UN Reform: Assistant Secretary Holmes writes that the UN is a unique multilateral forum and advocates thoughtful reform of the organization as a means to strengthen the UN's ability to serve its crucial goals. [more]
Assessing the Humanitarian Aid Situation for Darfur and Chad: Tony Hall, U.S. Ambassador to the UN Agencies for Food and Agriculture traveled to Libya and Sudan November 18-23 to assess the security situation and its impact on the delivery of food aid in the region. [background and photo gallery]
Ambassador Hall Urges More Pressure on Sudan to End Crisis in Darfur [more] | | | Highlights | Who We Are
IO develops and implements U.S. policy in the UN and other international organizations and works to advance U.S. interests through multilateral diplomacy.
Our Goals
Through the UN and other international organizations, IO promotes:
- Peace: Effective UN peacekeeping operations and preventive diplomacy efforts in areas of potential conflict;
- Security: Nonproliferation, nuclear safeguards, arms control and disarmament, and efforts to combat terrorism, organized crime, and narcotics trafficking;
- Democracy: Support for democratic principles and the rule of law in government and politics;
- Human Rights: Support for human rights, including advancement of women's rights.
Recent Statements
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary James W. Swigert testified on the Challenges of Peacekeeping in Africa before the House International Relations Committee (10/8)
Assistant Secretary Holmes spoke before the World Affairs Council of Northern California on Partnerships for Peace, Human Rights, and Development [9/30]
Assistant Secretary Holmes gave welcoming remarks at a Reception for the Promotion and Democracy at the 59th Session of the UN General Assembly [9/27]
Deputy Assistant Secretary Mark P. Lagon spoke at the Hudson Institute on the U.S. Agenda at the UN General Assembly [9/13]
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary James W. Swigert testified on the 9/11 Commission Report Recommendations before the House International Relations Committee [8/19] |
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![June 1987 photo of the United Nations Secretariat building in New York City [AP photo]](https://web.archive.org/all/20041228211520im_/http://www.state.gov/cms_images/un_headquarters_140.jpg)
![UN Security Council meeting at the UN [AP photo]](https://web.archive.org/all/20041228211520im_/http://www.state.gov/cms_images/un_horn_of_africa_war_150.jpg)