Washington, D.C. (Nov. 24, 2020) — The Better World Campaign issued the following statement on the nomination of Linda Thomas-Greenfield as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations:
“President-Elect Joe Biden has made an exceedingly wise choice in choosing Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield to be the next U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations. As one of America’s most experienced diplomats, Thomas-Greenfield is uniquely qualified to handle the broad range of global challenges that come before the UN,” said Peter Yeo, President of the Better World Campaign.
“Thomas-Greenfield has the advantage of having seen the UN at work in her prior posts. As a foreign service officer in Rwanda in 1994, she experienced first-hand what happens when the international community cannot stem conflict. As U.S. Ambassador to Liberia, Thomas-Greenfield saw the opposite – the invaluable role UN peacekeepers played in urban centers and remote villages, bringing peace and security to a nation emerging from civil war. As Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, she also witnessed the vital role of UN peacekeepers and UN humanitarian workers and understands the need for the U.S. to ensure that the UN remains fit for purpose in our changing world.
“The U.S. remains the largest financial contributor to the UN, given our country’s role in the global economy and our permanent presence on the UN Security Council. As a result, the U.S. must continue to advocate for the fiscal discipline, transparency, and accountability that drive UN management reform, as well payment of our dues and paying back our massive arrears to make that drive achievable. Thomas-Greenfield’s past experience as Director General of the Foreign Service and Director of Human Resources, and her management of large diplomatic missions, will be essential to reaching that goal.
Bipartisan polling conducted annually by the Better World Campaign shows that Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield, upon Senate confirmation, will be representing an American public that is very supportive of the UN. More than 6 in 10 voters (64 percent) have a favorable view of the United Nations, and 69 percent of Americans want the U.S. to pay its UN peacekeeping dues on time and in full.
“The Better World Campaign along with our sister organization, the United Nations Association of the USA, looks forward to working with Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield upon her confirmation,” Yeo said.
About the Better World Campaign
The Better World Campaign, an initiative of the Better World Fund, works to strengthen the relationship between the United States and the United Nations. It encourages U.S. leadership to enhance the UN’s ability to carry out its invaluable international work on behalf of peace, progress, freedom, and justice. For more information, visit www.betterworldcampaign.org.
Media Contact:
info_bwc@unfoundation.org
