International Organization Affairs (incl. United Nations (U.N.))

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Please see current site for Bureau of International Organization Affairs

U.S. Participation in the United Nations (U.N.)
and Other International Organizations

The Bureau of International Organization Affairs (IO), headed by Assistant Secretary David Welch, develops and implements U.S. policy in the United Nations (U.N.), the U.N.'s specialized agencies, and other international organizations. IO works in cooperation with the United States Mission to the U.N., the U.S. Mission to the United Nations, Geneva, the U.S. Mission to the United Nations, Vienna, and other international organizations. The IO Bureau also coordinates the State Department's involvement in international athletic events.

IO works to advance U.S. policies and interests through multilateral diplomacy. The U.S. played a major role in the creation of the U.N. and other international organizations and maintains a strong leadership role in these bodies. IO works to ensure that the U.N. and other international organizations remain viable and effective.

Through the U.N. and other international organizations, the IO Bureau promotes peace, security, democracy, human rights, economic growth, trade, health, humanitarian assistance, environment, and transportation safety.