“Religious freedom is a fundamental right that all countries are called to protect. The president’s speech is an important and historic moment precisely because religious freedom is too often ignored or downplayed at the U.N. At a time when persecution is on the rise, and over 80% of the world’s population lives in countries with high restrictions on religious freedom, every country should make securing religious freedom a high priority.”
Trump’s speech is the first time a sitting U.S. president has ever convened a meeting on the issue of religious freedom at the U.N.
“Today with one clear voice the United States calls on all nations of the world to end religious persecution,” Trump said.
The president also announced that his administration would dedicate an additional $25 million to protecting religious sites and places of worship and launched a new coalition of business leaders to promote religious freedom.