The United States concluded its presidency of the United Nations Security Council in December 2024, focusing on critical global challenges including artificial intelligence, food insecurity, and the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, in her final tenure as the U.S. Representative to the UN, led discussions that spotlighted U.S. priorities and sought international cooperation on pressing issues.
On December 3, Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield chaired an event on the Women, Peace and Security agenda, emphasizing the importance of intergenerational dialogue between young and senior women peacebuilders. She urged the international community to address the needs of women affected by conflict, enhance opportunities for dialogue, and fully implement measures to support women peacebuilders.
A side event on food insecurity, held on December 9, brought together leaders from UN agencies and NGOs to discuss solutions to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal of Zero Hunger. Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield called for urgent action, highlighting the dire situation faced by hundreds of millions globally. Expert speakers, including UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell and IRC CEO David Miliband, provided insights on tackling the crisis.
Artificial intelligence took center stage during a Ministerial-level briefing on December 19, chaired by Secretary of State Antony Blinken. He underscored U.S. leadership in advancing a General Assembly resolution to govern AI with principles focused on human rights, sustainable development, and capacity building. Blinken also led a briefing on the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, describing it as the worst in the world and stressing the need for immediate international attention.
Throughout December, the U.S. presidency addressed other global conflicts and crises, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, ongoing instability in the Middle East, and situations in Afghanistan, Iran, Libya, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and North Korea. These sessions aimed to elevate awareness and foster coordinated international responses.
The United States’ efforts during its Security Council presidency reflected its commitment to addressing global challenges through collaboration and leadership, as transcripts and detailed records of the discussions remain accessible for public review.
