Author: Office of the Spokesperson

In the two years since Secretary Blinken created the Subnational Diplomacy Unit (SDU) at the State Department in October 2022 and appointed Nina Hachigian as the first Special Representative for City and State Diplomacy, SDU has informed, assisted and empowered roughly 5,000 local government officials including mayors, governors and county supervisors in the United States and around […]

In Berlin, Assistant Secretary Witkowsky will lead an interagency delegation to the second U.S.–Germany Conflict Prevention and Stabilization Dialogue hosted by Germany’s Director-General for Crisis Prevention, Stabilization, Peacebuilding, and Humanitarian Assistance. During this dialogue they will discuss areas of shared interest and cooperation, including activities under the U.S Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability. […]

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller: Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke today with French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot.  The two discussed the evolving situation in the Middle East and the importance of coordinating efforts on a diplomatic resolution that would allow citizens of Israel and Lebanon to […]

Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Brian A. Nichols will travel to Belize on October 5-8.  In Belmopan, Assistant Secretary Nichols will meet with Prime Minister John Briceño, Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca, and other senior government officials to discuss security and inclusive economic prosperity in Belize and throughout the region.  Belize has demonstrated […]

The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America and Guatemala on the occasion of the inaugural High-Level Security Dialogue.  Begin text:The Republic of Guatemala and the United States of America reiterated today their commitment to shared interests in matters of security, democracy, rule of law, and […]

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with newly appointed NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte to congratulate him on assuming his position at NATO.  Secretary Blinken and Secretary General Rutte discussed the United States’ and NATO’s immediate and enduring support to Ukraine, including by operationalizing NATO’s Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine to help Ukraine […]

The U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce its participation in National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), held each October to commemorate the many and varied contributions of people with disabilities to the nation’s workplaces and economy.  The theme for NDEAM 2021, “America’s Recovery: Powered by Inclusion,” reflects the importance of ensuring that people […]

Today, the Department of State announced the launch of the 2024 “The Climate Crisis: Working Together for Future Generations” International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) initiative.  This exchange initiative will bring over 80 climate experts and advocates from approximately 60 countries to the United States to engage with their American professional counterparts on the negative impacts […]

On September 30, Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor Dafna Rand will travel to Warsaw, Poland, to participate in Warsaw Human Dimension Conference (WHDC) and the Warsaw Security Forum (WSF). She will meet with senior officials, civil society, and human rights defenders and underscore the significance of promoting and protecting human rights in […]

Lebanon Travel Advisory (September 28, 2024)  CTUKO LEVEL 4—Do Not Travel Updated to reflect the ordered departure of non-mission-employed eligible family members (EFMs) and authorized departure for mission-employed EFMs and non-essential U.S. direct hire (USDH) employees. On September 28 the Department of State ordered the departure of non-mission-employed EFMs and authorized departure for mission-employed EFMs […]