Statement of USTR Ron Kirk following the 33rd Cairns Meeting
The 33rd Cairns Group Ministerial Meeting has been, in my view, a very productive three days. In plurilateral and bilateral meetings, I have discussed a number of trade issues important to the Cairns ministers and to the United States. As you can imagine, few issues have been more important in our talks than the Doha round of world trade talks, and the importance that all of us place on meaningful market openings for agriculture as we proceed.
Read moreUN Human Rights Council 11th Session – Item 5 General Debate
The United States was pleased with the creation of the UN Experts Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples through HRC resolution 6/36. This resolution established the Mechanism’s mandate so that it would provide its thematic expertise in the manner and form requested by the Council, focusing mainly on studies and research-based advice. At the same time, the Council resolution allowed for the Mechanism to receive suggestions from indigenous representatives on its possible work plan.
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