Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the president of the United States, donald j. Trump, and the secretarygeneral of the United Nations, antonia , accompanied by the Vice President of the United States, mike pence, United States ambassador to the United Nations, kelly kraft, and United States secretary of state, mike pompeo. [applause] good morning everyone. Across the splendid array of countries and cultures represented here, we come together this morning unit about our belief that flourishing societies are sustained by religious freedom. Sadly, this understanding is not universal. Today, all over the world, people of faith face a rising tide of persecution. In just the past year, we have witnessed horrific acts of violence committed against worshipers in mosques, churches and synagogues. We have watched the arbitrary detention and mistreatment of religious minorities in countries around the globe. And we have felt the chill of a world that seems increasingly disinterested in defending the rights of all people to exercise a sincerely held religious belief. As leaders, a times such as this calls us to demonstrate our commitment to religious liberty not only in word, but in deed. Which is why im so extraordinarily pleased and honored we are joined by President Donald Trump and Vice President mike pence. [applause] under the leadership of these men, the United States is to aot only spoken commitment to religious liberty, it has the mustard and just two one. Months ago, President Trump hosted victims of religious persecution at a historic event at the white house. His administration has vigorously defended religious liberty and the freedom and in the United States. The state department has become a watchful defender religious liberties, especially through the 2019 ministerial to advance religious freedom, the largest freedom event of its kind in the world. We anticipate a fruitful discussion today on how we can expand religious liberty, guarantee the sanctity of houses of worship, and combat religious persecution around the world and im so delighted you joined us for this event. It is really hard for me to think of a better person to introduce to a gathering of the freedom of religion in the world. He knows what religion is, what support it can give to the individual and to hold societies. He is an unpretentious man who not only believes in the power of religion, he lives his religion. With respect and even piety. He respects the faith of others,. He is that great exemplar, a hardworking family man born in indiana proud of his state, prouder of his country, and a firstclass demonstration of President Trumps wisdom in selecting those who serve him closest. It is my pleasure to introduce you to the Vice President , my friend, mike pence. [applause] vice pence mr. President , secretarygeneral guterres, ambassador kraft and secretary pompeo, distinguished members of congress, World Leaders and most especially to the courageous men and women who joined us here today who have suffered persecution and violence for simply living out your faith. Whether that be christianity, judaism, buddhism or islam. It is my great honor to be here today with the president of the United States to reaffirm americas commitment to what the people of our nation have always believed, let every person is endowed by our creator with certain unalienable rights. Americans have always believed our first freedom is the freedom of religion. Today, President Donald Trump becomes the First American president to convene a meeting here in the United Nations on religious freedom, and it is my great honor to introduce him. [applause] v. P pence there is no better time for a meeting like this on the world stage. As we gather here at the United Nations, more than 80 of the worlds population live in nations where religious freedom banned. Tened or the regimes in iran brutally persecutes christians, sunnis. In iraq, iran backed militias terrorized christians and yazidis who were nearly wiped out by isis recent campaign of genocide. The communist party in china has arrested christian pastors, banned the sale of bibles, demolished churches and imprisoned more than one million uyghurs in the muslim population. The regime of Daniel Ortega is waging war on the Catholic Church in nicaragua and in venezuela, the dictator Nicolas Maduro uses antihate laws to prosecute clergy even as spreadia cronies antisemitism by trivializing the holocaust. Communities of faith across the wider world have also faced unspeakable acts of violence in places of worship. Shocking the conscience of the world. In october 11, jews were murdered at the tree of life synagogue massacre in pittsburgh, pennsylvania. In march, a gunman killed 51 muslims of prayer at two mosques in christchurch, new zealand and just a month later suicide , bombers murdered more than 300 christians during Easter Services at three christian lanka. S in sri these attacks strike at the heart of everything free people s hold sacred. And the threats of religious freedom and the attacks on , people of faith underscore why President Trump has taken such Decisive Action since the very first days of our administration to build and promote our nations s proud tradition of advancing religious freedom and that continues today. At the president s direction the United States created the genocide recovery and Persecution Response Program and than 370ovided more million to aid ethnic minorities and faith communities persecuted by isis in iraq and throughout the region. Earlier this year at the president s direction the secretary of state held the Second Annual ministerial to advance religious freedom providing more than 1000 civil , society and religious leaders and 100 different nations to the largest event of its kind in the world. Last year at the inaugural ministerial, at the president s direction, we established the International Religious freedom fund which already has received nearly 5 million in pledges and given over 435 Rapid Response grants to those persecuted for their deeply held beliefs. And to date, this effort has helped some 2000 victims of religious persecution around the world. As the president often says , america is a nation of faith. And we will always stand for the freedom of religion of every person, of every race and every creed to live, to work, to worship according to the dictates of their conscience. And today, giving evidence of his passion for religious liberty, the president will announce additional steps the United States well take to protect religious liberties and defend people of faith around the world. This is a very special day, and that always say, it is a high honor to introduce this president. Historic here in this gathering come with leaders around the world, standing for our freedom of religious liberty first is among the greatest honors ive ever had. So let me say, it is my high honor and distinct privilege to introduce to you a tireless champion of the freedom of religion and people of every faith in america and around the world, the 45th president of the United States of america, President Donald Trump. [applause] [speaking in foreign language] [indiscernible] pres. Trump an honor it is. It is long overdue. [indiscernible] it is great to be with you. I want to thank Vice President pence for the outstanding job he is doing. He has been a fantastic invaluable representative of our country. Likewise, secretary mike pompeo, assador carrie craft, ambassador kelly craft secretary , ross, secretary mnuchin and investor Sam Brownback all for joining us today and we have other representatives of our cabinet and the administration in the room. We have done a lot. The jensen amendment doesnt get spoken about enough but in very but i am very proud to say that we have obliterated the Johnson Amendment within our that now, we can listen to the people we want to listenthem. It was a very important thing and i said that at the beginning and i say it now, it is something i am very proud of. We are also grateful that the u. N. Secretary general could be here along with so many of his friends and my friends, World Leaders, i have got to know a lot of them and i would imagine you know all of them. I would imagine. If you dont, you are not doing your job. [laughter] pres. Trump i also want to thank my daughter of anke i vanka for being here, she works so hard for all of the people in this room, so thank you. [applause] statesrump the united is founded on the principle that our rights do not come from government, they come from god. This immortal truth is proclaimed in our declaration of independence and enshrined in the First Amendment to our constitutions bill of rights. Our founders understood that no right is more fundamental to a peaceful, prosperous, and Virtuous Society then the right to follow ones religious convictions. Regrettably, the religious freedom enjoyed by american citizens is rare in the world. Approximately 80 of the World Population live in countries where religious liberty is threatened, restricted, or banned. When i heard that number, i said please go back and check it because it could not possibly be correct. Sadly it was, 80 . As we speak, jews, christians, sikhs, buddhists, hindus, and many others are being jailed, sanctioned, and murdered at the hands of their own governments for expressing deeply held religious beliefs. It is so hard to believe. Today with one clear voice, the United States of america calls upon the nations of the world to end religious persecution. [applause] pres. Trump to stop the crops against people of faith, release prisoners of conscience, repeal laws restricting freedom of religion and belief, protect the vulnerable, the defenseless, and the oppressed. America stands with believers and every country who ask only for the freedom to live according to the faith that is within their own hearts. As president , protecting religious freedom is one of my highest priorities and always has been viewed last year, our secretary of state come up, hosted the first ever ministerial to advance International Religious freedom. This years ministerial, secretary pompeo announced plans to create the International Religious freedom alliance, of likeminded nations devoted to confronting religious persecution all around the world. I have appointed a special envoy to monitor and combat antisemitism. We are standing up for almost 250 million christians around the world who are persecuted for their faith. It is estimated 11 christians justed every day think of this. Day, forians per following the teachings of christ. Who would think that was possible in this day and age . Who would think it was possible . With us today is pastor andrew bunsen, who was imprisoned in turkey for a long time. Last year, my administration was thrilled to bring him back home after a very short and respectful negotiation with a , a man who has become a friend of mine fortunately, president erdogan of turkey. I called the president and said, i am an innocent man. They had been trying to get andrew out a long time, previous administration, i dont think they tried to hard unfortunately. I want to thank president argon want to thankd i andrew, is he around here somewhere . [applause] pres. Trump we did a good job with that negotiation, andrew. You got back. It wasnt pretty, but you got back and we are proud of you. You have a great family feud family. When he came back, the love, i hadnt seen anything quite like it. Congratulations and i understand you doing fantastic work with your family feud family. Thank you very much. [applause] pres. Trump i also want to thank franklin graham, because he has been so instrumental in everything we are doing. Hes done an incredible job in some different ways, including floods and hurricanes. Every time i go, franklin is there before me. I dont know how he gets there before me. Will beat him one day hes in these disaster areas, with a large staff of volunteers that are amazing. Thank you very much. [applause] pres. Trump in july, i met with survivors of religious persecution at the white house and we are honored many of them could be here today as well. Some of these individuals suffered as a result of statesponsored persecution, others at the hands of terrorists and criminals. America will always be a voice for victims of religious persecution everywhere. No matter where you go, you have a place in the United States of america. Can i ask those folks to please stand up . Please stand up. [applause] pres. Trump thank you, thank you very much. In recent times, the world has witnessed devastating acts of violence and Sacred Places of worship. Catholican 85yearold priest was viciously killed while celebrating mass in normandy, france in the past france. In the past year, america has had horrible antisemitic attacks. In march, muslims praying with their families were sadistically murdered in new zealand. Year, sunday this churches in sri lanka were bombed, killing hundreds of faithful worshipers. Who would believe this is possible . These people attacks are a wound on all humanity. We must Work Together to protect communities of every faith. We are also urging every nation to increase the prosecution and punishment of crimes against religious communities. There can be no greater crime than that. This includes measures to prevent the intentional destruction of religious sites and relics. Today, the Trump Administration will dedicate an additional 25 million to protect religious freedom and religious sites and relics. We are also pleased to be joined today by many of the partners from the Business Community as we announce a very critical initiative. The u. S. Is forming up coalition of businesses to protect religion. This is the first time this has been done. This initiative were encourage the private sector to protect people of all faiths in the workplace. The private sector has brilliant leadership and thats why some of the people in this room are among the most successful men and women on earth. They know how things get done and how to take care of things and they are with us now for the first time to this extent, the first time ever, and we are honored to have you in the room. Great business leaders, great people of strength. Too often, people in positions of power preach diversity while censoring the faithful. True tolerance means respecting the right of all people to express a deeply held religious beliefs. Before i conclude, i want to once again thank all of the survivors in the room for their courage and resilience. You are an inspiration to the world and you remind us that no force on earth is stronger than the faith of religious believers. The United States of america will forever remain at your side, and the side of all those who seek religious freedom. Today i ask all nations to join us in this urgent moral duty. We ask the governments of the world to honor the internal right of every person to follow their conscious, live by their faith, their conscience, live by their faith, angle of glory to god. The United States plays a vital role in this critical mission. Nowsecretarygeneral will share a few words on the uns efforts to promote religious liberty to all. He has been a champion of what we are in this room for. I want to thank everybody for being here. God bless you. God bless the faithful, and god bless america. Thank you very much. [applause] President Trump met with the pakistani Prime Minister at the United Nations, where they spoke relations,pakistan u. S. Policy toward iran, and the nobel peace prize. Thank you very much, is a great honor to be with my friend, the Prime Minister of pakistan. We have some great discussions going on with pakistan about a lot of things, including the taliban and afghanistan and many other things, and i think trade is maybe the most important. We will increase trade with pakistan by a tremendous margin. We do a small amount of trade with them and they want to do larger and so do we viewed i think we should do that very easily. We will double or