We do not seek alliances because we are weak, but because acting with our friends and partners around the world makes us strong.

The United Nations plays a significant role in this regime.

I certainly do support elements of the current resolution that is pending in the Council to strengthen the African Union and provide it with the support and resources that it needs to be larger and more effective.

I want to express my gratitude to Senator Susan Collins and Senator Evan Bayh for their very, very generous introductions of me.

The President-elect has affirmed America's commitment to the United Nations as an indispensable, if imperfect, institution for advancing America's security and well-being in the 21st century.

But now the challenge of putting those troops on the ground remains.

We face a world in which there are so many complex and dangerous challenges and threats--terrorism, the spread of weapons of mass destruction, conflict, climate change, disease--all of which have the potential to do great damage to our…

It is essential to strengthen the global nonproliferation and disarmament regime, dealing with those nations in violation.

I want to thank the President-elect for his confidence in naming me to this vitally important position.

The United States will lead at the United Nations with a respect for the institution and a determination to make it work.

I am very appreciative of their support.

So we pay a cost from inaction. And we pay a cost if we have to act alone.

Full deployment of the UNAMID force, including much-needed logistics and communications units, should enable the mission to more effectively and comprehensively protect civilians in Darfur.

The United States' support for the U.N. is critical.

I pledge to you to work tirelessly to see that the American taxpayer dollars are spent wisely and effectively.

I want good working relationships with them. I want honesty and transparency and I want to minimize surprises.

The incidents of sexual exploitation are totally reprehensible and unacceptable.

If confirmed, Mr. Chairman, I will work to strengthen the U.N.'s effectiveness to fulfill its many important missions.

We must work urgently to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.

If we expect the United Nations to fulfill its important missions, we need to do better by upholding our end of the bargain.

The President-elect has also said that he is deeply committed and will act from the earliest days of his administration to support the diplomacy that's necessary to help to try to bring about a two-state solution.

Thanks to the bold leadership and vision of Senator Lugar and others, enormous progress has been made.

If confirmed, I will be an unflinching advocate of America's interests and values at the United Nations.

I will always, on behalf of President-elect Obama and in cooperation with Secretary-designate Clinton, stand up for and serve United States' national interest at the United Nations.

It is unacceptable that Iran acquire a nuclear weapon.