United States Ambassador to the United Nations nominee Linda Thomas-Greenfield testifies during for her confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021, in Washington.
The longtime career diplomat thanked President Joe Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris, who swore her in on Wednesday, for choosing her for the โdistinguished positionโ and said she was โthrilledโ to be at the United Nations.
โThe United Nations is the worldโs most important forum for bringing people and countries together,โ Thomas-Greenfield told reporters immediately afterward.
AdHer confirmation on Tuesday was hailed by Democrats and advocates of the United Nations who had lamented โAmerica Firstโ unilateral approach to international affairs and rejoiced at Bidenโs return to multilateralism.
Guterres warmly welcomed Thomas-Greenfield, calling the United States โa fundamental pillar of the United Nations and of international cooperation" and telling her, โyou are not only a very distinguished diplomat, but a very passionate citizen of the world," with a strong commitment to refugees.