U.S. Mission to the United Nations

On Veterans Day, we honor the generations of Americans who have defended our values and freedoms – and the military families that sacrificed alongside them. We are eternally grateful for their service to our nation.

A flashback from last year – when President Biden addressed the UN General Assembly. He told world leaders that “the challenges we face today are great indeed, but our capacity is greater.”

This morning, President Biden will again address the General Assembly. Watch live: webtv.un.org/en

Addressing the challenges of our time is at the heart of the United States’ three policy priorities during the UN General Assembly.

1: Addressing threats to international peace and security.

2: Revitalizing an overstretched humanitarian system.

3: Creating a more inclusive and effective international system.

Every year since arriving at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations, I have come to the September 11th Memorial to honor the memory of those we lost and those who responded.

Today, I met a Gold Star mom who solemnly held up a photo of her son. It was a tragic reminder of the ultimate sacrifice so many have made to defend our freedoms.

We will never forget.

– Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield

On October 7th, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an American citizen, lost his arm while trying to save the lives of others attending a peaceful music festival that was attacked by Hamas.

He was taken hostage for more than 300 days. And last night, the world learned that he was murdered by those Hamas terrorists.

Hersh was just 23 – and he will forever be remembered as a hero. I am holding Jon, Rachel, and all his loved ones in my heart today.

The UN Security Council – and the entire world – must strongly condemn Hamas’ brutality, impose costs for its crimes, and demand the immediate return of all hostages back to their families.

– Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield

Happy Juneteenth! Let today be a reminder of our shared history – and a call to action for each of us to continue the work of building a future where freedom and justice are truly for all.

NEW: Today, the UN Security Council sent a clear message to Hamas: Accept the ceasefire-hostage deal on the table.

Israel has already accepted this deal.

The fighting could stop today – and hostages could come home today – if Hamas agreed to the deal.

Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield and UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, had an incredibly moving visit to JFK International Airport – where 300 refugees had just arrived, full of hope about their new lives in the United States.

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