US Mission Geneva

Thank you very much. It is, indeed, an honor to be here, to be part of this U.S.-Islamic World Forum. And I thank you for all of the kind words and good wishes for my husband, who is doing fine. He is in great shape. All is well, or I would not be here this evening. And he sends his best greetings to each and every one of you, and particularly to you, Your Highness. I told the Emir that, on my way to the airport today, the last instruction I received from my husband was to give his very best regards to you, Your Highness.

I think we have just wrapped up a very productive conference and we have seen the results of cooperation in the international community on a number of very important issues. I want to thank Prime Minister Brown and Foreign Secretary Miliband, the Government of Afghanistan, and the United Nations for bringing us all together and sponsoring this important meeting.

I strongly condemn the cowardly attack today in Afghanistan. My thoughts and prayers are with all those who were injured and the families who lost loved ones. One American citizen working for the United Nations was among those who lost their lives, along with other UN international employees and members of the Afghan National Security Forces who bravely fought to protect them.

We welcome the chance to comment on Afghanistan’s engagement with the UPR process, as seen in the report of the Working Group. The United States commends Afghanistan’s efforts to enhance the capacity of national human rights institutions, including the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission. We also welcome the adoption of national strategies and policies to support human rights, including the Afghan National Development Strategy and the Transitional Justice Strategy and Action Plan on Peace, Justice and Reconstruction.