Statement on Agenda Item 70 (b) ‘Protection of and assistance to internally displaced persons’

Mordica Simpson
Adviser
U.S. Mission to the United Nations
New York, New York
November 19, 2019

AS DELIVERED

The United States is pleased to cosponsor this resolution on “Protection of and assistance to internally displaced persons.” Our co-sponsorship reflects our deep concern about the plight of the more than 40 million persons internally displaced across the globe due to conflict and violence, and the millions more displaced as a result of natural disasters. It also arises from our concern that high rates of internal displacement continue each year and that resolution to displacement remains out of reach for many. The United States continues to believe that more is required to elevate the issues facing internally displaced persons within the United Nations and globally and sees this resolution as a concrete effort to do just that.

Finally, in our general statement on November 7 we noted that UN General Assembly resolutions are non-binding documents that do not create or alter rights or obligations under international law, and addressed references to economic, social, and cultural rights, the International Criminal Court, the 2030 Agenda, and climate change/the Paris Agreement.

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