Washington, DC – Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following statement on the opening day of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) general debate:

”The opening of the 76th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)’s general debate signifies a renewed opportunity for all 193 member states to come together and work multilaterally to address the world’s most significant issues. This week, world leaders will take action on our shared priorities, including ending the COVID-19 pandemic, addressing climate change, demonstrating progress on the Sustainable Development Goals, and bringing sustainable peace to the violent conflicts we see around the world.  

“Despite these and many other significant challenges, and in fact because of them, the United States must continue to commit to the United Nations’ mission and work closely with our allies through multilateral institutions. I am proud of the work Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield and our representatives do every day at the United Nations to protect the vulnerable and promote our nation’s values of peace and democracy. As Chair, I will continue to use my capacity to reinforce the United States and the United Nations shared values of international cooperation, the protection of human rights, combatting violent extremism, supporting sustainable development, and taking meaningful climate action.” 

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