What Does the U.S. Ambassador at the United Nations Do?
June 20, 2005 —
By NICHOLAS SCHIFRIN

The U.S. mission to the United Nations was formally established on April 28, 1947. The United States has its own representative with the title of ambassador. An ambassador is a diplomatic official accredited to a foreign country or government, or in the case of the United Nations, an international organization, to serve as the official representative of his or her own country.

What does the United States ambassador to the United Nations do?

Simply put, U.S. ambassadors to the United Nations — or “permanent representatives,” as they are called — represent U.S. interests. The No. 1 duty is to keep the U.S. State Department informed of events at the United Nations. The ambassador then makes recommendations to the State Department and the president as to what course of action the United States should pursue.

How are they chosen?

U.S. Ambassadors to the United Nations are approved by the Senate after being nominated by the president.