Statement from United Nations Association of the USA (UNA-USA) Executive Director Rachel Bowen Pittman on the Results of the U.S. 2020 Presidential Election

CONTACT:

Sarah Hopkins
shopkins@unfoundation.org

 

On behalf of the United Nations Association of the USA (UNA-USA), a program of the United Nations Foundation, UNA-USA Executive Director Rachel Bowen Pittman today released the following statement on the results of the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election: 

“On behalf of the United Nations Association of the USA (UNA-USA), I congratulate President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on their victory in the 2020 election. I also congratulate my fellow Americans for exercising the right to vote, as this election saw the largest percentage of American voters cast their ballots in more than 100 years. It is my great hope this trend continues in future elections.

“This election holds great significance for our country, not only because of the critical challenges we face, but because of what it means for equality. Vice President-elect Harris will be the first woman, and the first person of color, to serve as Vice President of the United States. We saw historic wins for LGBTQIA lawmakers in the U.S. Congress and state legislatures. UNA-USA advocates work every day to advance and uphold the rights of all people as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and we believe this election represents a major step toward achieving true equality in our communities, both here in the U.S. and around the world.

“President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris must be prepared to confront numerous urgent challenges their first day in office. It’s become very clear that COVID-19 is not only a global health crisis — it’s a social crisis, an economic crisis, and a human rights crisis. And of course, COVID-19 is not the only danger to our global community. Police brutality, discriminatory violence, and systemic racism plague our nation. We call for new commitments to social justice and racial equity for all Americans.

“For more than seven decades, UNA-USA’s network of 20,000+ advocates have worked to bolster American support for the United Nations and its agencies. Throughout his political career, President-elect Biden has supported the United Nations and its mission, both as Vice President and as former Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. We look forward to working with the incoming Biden-Harris Administration to restore and strengthen U.S. engagement at the United Nations.

“Throughout his campaign, President-elect Biden made clear his commitment to reverse recent decisions which undermine America’s hard-won leadership on the global stage. UNA-USA supports the incoming administration’s plans to rejoin the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Paris Climate Agreement. UNA-USA encourages the incoming administration to reengage with the UN Relief and Works Agency, UN Population Fund, UNESCO, Human Rights Council, and Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and to fully fund the United Nations, to which the U.S. owes more than $1 billion in unpaid dues.

“As we celebrate the United Nations’ 75th anniversary, we feel hopeful about America’s role in securing a brighter future for our world. More than 200 UNA-USA chapters in communities and on college campuses are prepared to mobilize Americans to commit to a new era of global engagement. We look forward to working with the incoming Biden-Harris Administration and elected Members of Congress to support the UN and realize humankind’s never-ending pursuit for a better world.”

###

About the United Nations Association of the USA (UNA-USA):

The United Nations Association of the USA (UNA-USA) is a grassroots movement of Americans who support the vital work of the United Nations in U.S. communities, colleges, and Congress. For more than 75 years, UNA-USA and its national network of 20,000 members and 200 chapters have promoted strong U.S. leadership at the UN through advocacy campaigns, youth engagement, outreach programs, and public events. Learn more.