(C-Fam) — The U.S. Government will once again lead an international pro-life coalition of governments through the Geneva Consensus Declaration on Women’s Health and Strengthening of the Family.

“The United States will carry this work forward through a whole-of-government effort led jointly by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of State,” U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced in a joint press statement this week.

The Geneva Consensus Declaration was launched in 2020 by the Trump administration and a cross-regional group of nations from all continents. The declaration is focused on international cooperation to improve women’s health through a pro-life, pro-family and pro-sovereignty approach.

It expressly affirms that “there is no international right to abortion, nor any international obligation on the part of States to finance or facilitate abortion” and that the family is “foundational to society and as a source of health, support, and care.” Signatories pledge to work together to ensure the UN system respects these basic principles.

The declaration was originally signed by 34 nations, and the Trump Administration officially presented the agreement to the entire General Assembly as an official United Nations document. The list of signatories has steadily expanded despite open opposition and hostility from the Biden administration and the European Union. It has now been signed by 43 nations. The latest to join was Argentina this week. More nations are expected to join in coming months after the Trump administration’s announcement this week, and an updated list is to be submitted to the General Assembly.

The announcement makes it clear that the U.S. is taking the reins, once again, to promote the declaration and expand its influence.

“The Trump Administration believes strong families are foundational to stronger, safer, and more prosperous nations and that countries have the sovereign right to develop policies consistent with their own laws, cultures, and democratic institutions,” Bethany Kozma, Director of Global Affairs (OGA) at the Department of Health and Human Services responded to questions from the Friday Fax about the renewed involvement.  “By speaking together, Geneva Consensus Declaration members can more effectively advance these shared priorities and ensure their perspectives are represented in international discussions.”

While the Biden administration was in power, Hungary acted as the secretary for the coalition of nations. The announcement from Kennedy and Rubio this week thanked Hungary for its work during these years. “Hungary has faithfully safeguarded the Declaration and its principles, and we are grateful for its leadership and commitment to expanding the Declaration’s signatories.”

Even though several more signatories joined the Declaration during Hungary’s stewardship, its role was limited because of geopolitical opposition from the Biden administration and the European Union. Now that the Trump administration has assumed the role of secretary for the group, there is an expectation that the coalition will expand and that the group will press the UN system to respect the principles in the declaration.