Simon Ateba is Chief White House Correspondent for Today News Africa covering President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, U.S. government, UN, IMF, World Bank and other financial and international institutions in Washington and New York.
Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the U.S. Representative to the United Nations, on Thursday, laid out crucial priorities for the United States as the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA) approaches.
During a UN briefing, Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield recounted her recent mission to Chad, dispatched by President Biden, to draw attention to the deepening crisis in Sudan.
The Ambassador underscored the urgent need for humanitarian assistance in the region and called upon the international community to intensify its efforts. Sudan’s Humanitarian Response Plan for 2023, she asserted, remains severely underfunded, a situation she deemed “utterly unacceptable.”
Highlighting the United States’ leadership in providing humanitarian aid, the Ambassador revealed an additional commitment of $163 million in assistance for Sudan and its neighboring nations. Moreover, she announced targeted sanctions against individuals implicated in human rights abuses in Sudan, affirming the United States’ unwavering commitment to justice and accountability.
Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield proceeded to outline the United States’ three central areas of focus for the upcoming UNGA. Firstly, she stressed the paramount importance of nurturing partnerships, even with nations with which the U.S. may have disagreements. Central to this is the adherence to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with the United States reiterating its pledge to all 17 SDGs.
Prominently featured in her address was her imminent speech at the Council on Foreign Relations, where she intends to elucidate the U.S.’s vision for sustainable development. The Ambassador emphasized the critical need to circumvent cynicism and skepticism as the global community works towards realizing the SDGs, both domestically and internationally.
Secondly, Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield reaffirmed the United States’ resolute commitment to upholding the core principles enshrined in the UN Charter, including the principles of sovereignty and independence. She declared unequivocal support for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s full-scale invasion, emphasizing that the United States is unwavering in its pursuit of a just and lasting peace in accordance with the UN Charter.
She underscored the United States’ dedication to championing reforms within the multilateral system, aimed at enhancing its effectiveness, transparency, and accountability in addressing contemporary challenges.
The culmination of her address came with the announcement of President Biden’s participation in High-Level Week and his forthcoming address to the General Assembly. During his speech, the President will reiterate the United States’ steadfast commitment to countering threats to international peace and security, safeguarding human rights, and advancing global prosperity.
Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield issued a resounding call to the international community, urging collective action to put an end to conflicts in Sudan, Ukraine, and other strife-ridden regions. She called for renewed dedication to the SDGs, the preservation of the UN Charter’s principles, and concerted global efforts to confront the pressing challenges of our times.
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