United States Mission Geneva

Forty years ago today, the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty entered into force, setting up a framework of norms and rules to curtail the spread of nuclear weapons. In the decades since, more states have relinquished nuclear weapons – or decided against pursuing them – than have acquired them, in large measure because of the international consensus embodied in the NPT.

Women are responsible for nutrition in most homes, including the purchase and preparation of food. However, because of traditional norms, they often have limited access to education and control over resources. When given the opportunity to manage household finances, studies show that women are more likely than men to spend on their family’s nutritional needs, healthcare, and school fees for children. Therefore, empowering women to increase access to and control over resources is critical to attaining food security in the developing world.

Every year since 1911, International Women’s Day on March 8 has focused global attention to the continued need for improving women’s status and opportunities everywhere in the world. Because of their roles in raising families, providing and seeking care, and managing household needs, the health of women is fundamental to healthy communities. And because [...]

Thank you, Madame High Commissioner, for your report to this 13th Session of the Human Rights Council. I am pleased to take the floor of the Council for the first time in the context of a dialogue with you. The United States deeply appreciates your and your staff’s dedication to better implementation of the rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Eileen Chamberlain Donahoe, of California, was confirmed March 3 by the United States senate for the rank of Ambassador during her tenure of service as the United States Representative to the UN Human Rights. Ambassador Donahoe’s most recent post was as an Affiliated Scholar at the Center for international Security and Cooperation at Stanford University. Her research has focused on norms on use of force, UN reform, and the international rule of law.

Countless women have steered the course of our history, and their stories are ones of steadfast determination. From reaching for the ballot box to breaking barriers on athletic fields and battlefields, American women have stood resolute in the face of adversity and overcome obstacles to realize their full measure of success.

Laura E. Kennedy was confirmed by the Senate March 3, 2010 as the United States Representative to the Conference on Disarmament. Ms. Kennedy was most recently Deputy Commandant at the National War College since 2007. Prior to that, she was a member of the State Department’s Board of Examiners from 2005-2007. From 2004-2005 she was Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs (EUR).

Helping nations to grow and prosper is not only the moral obligation of a great nation; it is also in our national interest. The investments we make today are a bulwark against current and future threats – both seen and unseen – and a down payment for future peace and prosperity around the world.

President Obama has affirmed America’s commitment to the United Nations as an indispensable, if imperfect, institution for advancing our security and well-being in the 21st century. We know that when we fully employ our unique ability to work multilaterally through the UN and other international organizations, it results in considerable benefits to the United States and the American people.