U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton delivers remarks at the Forum on Small States Opening Session at the United Nations in New York, New York on October 1, 2012. [State Department photo/ Public Domain]

Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs Esther Brimmer, State Department Director of Policy Planning Jake Sullivan, and State Department Spokesperson for the Bureau of Near East Affairs Aaron Snipe discuss their work at the UN General Assembly in New York. [Go to http://video.state.gov for more video and text transcript.]

Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Roberta S. Jacobson, State Department Director of Policy Planning Jake Sullivan, and U.S. Chief of Protocol Capricia Penavic Marshall discuss their work at the UN General Assembly in New York. [Go to http://video.state.gov for more video and text transcript.]

About the Author: Luke Forgerson serves as DipNote’s Managing Editor.

Our “Photo of the Week” comes to us from the Secretary of State’s official photographer, Michael Gross, and offers a glimpse of the Heads of State luncheon at the 67th United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 25, 2012. Comprising all 193 members of the United Nations, the General Assembly meets in regular session from September to December each year, and thereafter as required. This year’s General Debate is scheduled from September 25 through October 1.

During the Heads of State luncheon, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton expressed appreciation to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for his leadership. In herremarks, the Secretary also acknowledged the diplomats and development experts from every nation serving and sacrificing far from home. The Secretary said, “They… more »

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton delivers remarks at the Ad Hoc Friends of the Syrian People Ministerial in New York, New York on September 27, 2012. A text transcript can be found athttp://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2012/09/198455.htm.

Susan E. Rice
U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations
U.S. Mission to the United Nations
New York, NY
September 27, 2012

We welcome the important agreements signed today between Sudan and South Sudan. The understandings reached on security, oil, financial, nationality and trade issues testify to courageous leadership on both sides and skilled diplomacy by President Thabo Mbeki and the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel. Just a few months ago, Sudan and South Sudan were on the brink of war. Today’s agreements demonstrate the impact that strong, united action by the UN Security Council can have on some of the world’s most challenging situations. The Security Council’s adoption of resolution 2046, endorsing the AU Roadmap and setting forth clear obligations on both sides, helped to chart a path out of conflict.

If implemented swiftly and effectively, these agreements will bring enormous benefits to people in both Sudan and South Sudan, lay a foundation for resolution of the remaining issues, and promote lasting peace. The grave humanitarian crises in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile are unacceptable, and it is imperative that Sudan grant immediate and unhindered humanitarian access to help those in desperate need. We have seen before that the situation in the Two Areas and along the border can unravel efforts to chart a brighter future for both sides. All concerned must build on today’s historic step to fulfill the promise of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and resolve the final status of the disputed border area of Abyei.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton delivers remarks at a G-8 Deauville Partnership With Arab Countries in Transition Foreign Ministers meeting in New York, New York on September 27, 2012. A text transcript can be found at http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2012/09/198406.htm.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton delivers remarks at the Haiti Partners Ministerial meeting in New York, New York on September 27, 2012. [State Department photo/ Public Domain]

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton delivers remarks at a ASEAN Ministerial meeting in New York, New York on September 27, 2012. A text transcript can be found at http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2012/09/198343.htm.