 This September, President Barack Obama will speak in front of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. This annual gathering of all the world’s leaders is the highest profile forum for nations to lay out their foreign policy goals.
We at the Better World Campaign know how closely you follow and care about foreign policy, and we know what the UN means to you. So, we’d like to hear what you think President Obama should say on September 23.
Here are five issues we think the President should emphasize during his speech -- vote for the one you care about most! (More info on the issues below the fold.) |
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Security – UN peacekeeping missions operate in areas the U.S. cannot and will not go. As the second largest deployed military presence in the world, UN missions are crucial for our national security. President Obama should pledge to support UN peacekeeping and pay our dues to the UN in full and on time throughout his term of office.
Climate Change – President Obama has made passing a domestic climate change bill a priority, while Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has made reaching a global climate change agreement in Copenhagen one of his signature issues. President Obama should pledge to push Congress to pass a bill before December’s Copenhagen climate summit and work with the UN to adopt a comprehensive plan in Copenhagen.
Millennium Development Goals – In 2000, 189 countries committed to 8 goals to reduce poverty, combat HIV/AIDS, increase gender equality, and ensure universal education – all by 2015. However, a recent report warns that although tremendous progress has been made to achieve the goals, challenges such as the economic crisis and climate change push us farther away. President Obama should help rally support to reach all 8 goals in the next six years.
Ratifying Treaties – The U.S. negotiated and has signed important international treaties such as the UN Convention on Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) -- known as the constitution for the world’s oceans -- and the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). Our Senate, however, has yet to ratify them. President Obama should encourage the Senate to take action and ratify the treaties this year.
Multilateralism – The Obama Administration rejoined the UN Human Rights Council to advance human rights from the inside and push for changes that will turn it into the effective institution it was designed to be. President Obama should pledge to improve the Human Rights Council by building coalitions across regional groups and ensuring that serious human rights issues, such as Darfur, the rights of women, and political and religious freedom, are addressed by the international community.
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