US Mission Geneva

The effective dissemination of a lethal biological agent within an unprotected population could place at risk the lives of hundreds of thousands of people. The unmitigated consequences of such an event could overwhelm our public health capabilities, potentially causing an untold number of deaths. The economic cost could exceed one trillion dollars for each such incident.

I have come here today to share with you President Obama’s strategy for preventing biological weapons proliferation and bioterrorism. The United States intends to implement this strategy through renewed cooperation and more thorough consultations with our international counterparts in order to prevent the misuse and abuse of science while working together to strengthen health security around the world.

The United States remains deeply concerned by the reports of human rights abuses committed in the DPRK, including allegations of extrajudicial execution, torture, and systemic deprivation of due process in prisons, labor camps, and other institutions where international standards are not met. The lack of remedies or transparent accountability in dealing with allegations of abuse makes it difficult for foreign governments to accurately assess the human rights situation in the DPRK.

Progress is being made towards a meaningful Copenhagen accord – The President believes that continued US leadership can be most productive through his participation at the end of the Copenhagen conference on Dec. 18th rather than on Dec. 9th. The United States will have representation in Copenhagen throughout the negotiating process by State Department negotiators and Cabinet officials…

Recognizing our mutual determination to support strategic stability between the United States of America and the Russian Federation, we express our commitment, as a matter of principle, to continue to work together in the spirit of the START Treaty following its expiration, as well as our firm intention to ensure that a new treaty on strategic arms enter into force at the earliest possible date.

Women human rights defenders from around the world will gather in Geneva December 8-10, 2009 for the first Courage To Lead Summit. The three day summit will bring together experienced and emerging leaders to share and build on their experiences and to promote mentoring and collaboration among women who play a key role in promoting human rights worldwide.

I want to speak to you tonight about our effort in Afghanistan — the nature of our commitment there, the scope of our interests, and the strategy that my administration will pursue to bring this war to a successful conclusion.

In the wake of the financial crisis, the world needs a meaningful outcome at Doha that provides new and real economic opportunities. As President Obama described it, ‘not just any agreement, but an agreement that will open up markets and increase exports around the world.

The United States notes that torture and ill-treatment of suspects and prisoners and failure to provide food and basic health care in Congolese detention facilities continue. We also note that UN officials have raised very serious concerns about the DRC’s prisons.