The United Nations General Assembly is in the midst of its 62nd session, and the influence of the Non-Aligned Movement, the Organization of Islamic Conference, and the G77 states (an intergovernmental economic organization of 130 developing countries within the UN) continues to feature prominently in the international political arena. In recent years, these groups have mobilized to block U.S. initiatives, such as a resolution to deter human rights violations in Uzbekistan, an initiative to link the lifting of the budget cap of the General Assembly’s administrative and budgetary committee (also known as the Fifth Committee) to substantial movement toward reform, and critical reforms of the UN Secretariat.

At this AEI event, speakers and panelists will weigh the growing influence of these organizations and the implications they have for U.S. leadership at the UN. Following an introduction by AEI senior fellow John R. Bolton, Senator Norm Coleman (R-Minn.) will deliver the keynote address. A panel discussion will feature Richard “Terry” Miller, former U.S. representative to the UN Economic and Social Council and currently the director of the Center for International Trade and Economics at the Heritage Foundation; South African ambassador to the United States Welile Nhlapo; and international organizations scholar Brett Schaefer of the Heritage Foundation. Danielle Pletka, AEI’s vice president for foreign and defense policy studies, will moderate.