Blinken, UN head share first call after US rejoins Climate Accords, WHO

Secretary of State Antony Blinken and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday had their first call since the United States rejoined the Paris Climate Accords and the World Health Organization (WHO).

Spokesperson Ned Price described the call in the statement saying Blinken praised the United Nations for its work, and also expressed the U.S.’s “interest in close coordination” with the group to deal with global issues.

“Underscoring President Biden’s focus on bringing the pandemic under control, the Secretary praised the central role the UN and UN agencies play in coordinating our global response, highlighted the U.S. reengagement with the World Health Organization, and expressed our deepened focus on promoting health and advancing global health security,” Price said of the call. 

One of President Biden’s first priorities was to engage with WHO after former President Trump withdrew from the organization last July. Although many were dismayed at the organization’s response to the pandemic, many also criticized Trump’s decision to pull out from the group. 

Biden also rejoined the Paris Climate Accords, which Trump had pulled out of, as well. 

Blinken and Guterres talked about the Climate Accords with Blinken embracing the UN’s help with the “global climate crisis.” Other issues the two discussed were the situations going on in Syria and Ethiopia. 

“On Syria, both reaffirmed their commitment to the political process under UN Security Council resolution 2254 and the extension of a cross-border authorization to deliver aid and help relieve the suffering of the Syrian people. On Ethiopia, both reconfirmed their commitment to support Ethiopia’s efforts to respond to the crisis in Tigray,” Price said. 

The phone call comes after reports that the United States would rejoin the UN Human Rights Council that Trump pulled out of in 2018.