News from April 2023


Four press releases or notices published in March by U.S Department of State, Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons

There were four press releases or notices published by the U.S Department of State, Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons in March.


Chairman McCaul on Finland Joining NATO

News Release: Washington, D.C.- House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul issued the following statement on news Finland has been accepted into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).


Secretary Antony J. Blinken at Finland’s NATO Instruments of Accession Ceremony

Release: SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, Secretary General, Mr. Minister, I’m delighted to report that just a few moments ago, Türkiye deposited with me, on behalf of the United States, Türkiye’s ratification of the instrument of acceding to the protocol for Finland’s accession to NATO. And with the receipt and submission of that protocol, I can say that the protocol is now in force.


Additional U.S. Security Assistance for Ukraine

News Release: Pursuant to a delegation of authority from President Biden, I am authorizing our 35th drawdown of U.S. arms and equipment for Ukraine valued at $500 million. This military assistance package includes more ammunition for U.S.-provided HIMARS, air defense interceptors, and artillery rounds that Ukraine ...


U.S. Conventional Weapons Destruction in Africa: Stabilizing Conflict-Affected Areas, Promoting Environmental Resilience

Release: The United States invests in conventional weapons destruction in Africa to foster lasting peace, security, and prosperity. Explosive hazards, or even the suspected presence of them, hinder travel to and from schools and water sources, and limit local agricultural growth and economic development. Additionally...


U.S. Conventional Weapons Destruction in Latin America: Securing Weapons and Ammunition, Releasing Land, Promoting Environmental Resilience

Release: In Latin America the United States funds physical security and stockpile management programs in Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Peru, and the Caribbean region to improve the security and management of munitions stockpiles, disrupt the diversion and illicit trafficking of small arms and light...


Annual “To Walk the Earth in Safety” (TWEIS) Report

Release: Ambassador Bonnie D. Jenkins, Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security and Karen Chandler, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Programs and Operations, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, U.S. Department of State, discussed the Annual “To Walk the Earth in Safety" (TWEIS) Report.


U.S. Conventional Weapons Destruction in the Middle East and North Africa: Clearing Improvised Explosive Devices and Explosive Hazards, Promoting Environmental Resiliency

Release: In fiscal year 2022, U.S. investments in conventional weapons destruction programs in the Middle East and North Africa enhanced regional stability and improved human security. In Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, and Syria, improvised explosive devices, landmines, and explosive remnants of war emplaced by ISIS are...


To Walk the Earth in Safety (2023)

Release: General Information. Download PDF (For Print Only) [20 MB]. An accessible, downloadable version is pending. Commonly Used Terms and Symbols. * Cluster Munitions Remnant Survey: The application of all reasonable effort, through non-technical survey and technical survey procedures, to identify and define...


Finland’s Accession to NATO

Release: On this historic day as we mark the 74th anniversary of NATO, we also welcome Finland as NATO’s 31st Ally. Finland is stronger and safer within the Alliance, and the Alliance is stronger and safer with Finland as its Ally. Finland has a highly capable military and has been an active participant in NATO-led ...


Additional U.S. Security Assistance for Ukraine

Release: Pursuant to a delegation of authority from President Biden, I am authorizing our 35th drawdown of U.S. arms and equipment for Ukraine valued at $500 million. This military assistance package includes more ammunition for U.S.-provided HIMARS, air defense interceptors, and artillery rounds that Ukraine...


Secretary Antony J. Blinken And Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba Before Their Meeting

News Release: SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, good afternoon, everyone. As always, a great pleasure to be with my friend and colleague, Dmytro Kuleba, the foreign minister of Ukraine. And we’re here, of course, at NATO where we’ve seen over the last year very strong support and solidarity for Ukraine, countries coming together ...


Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba

News Release: The following is attributable to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel


Joint Statement on the U.S. – EU Energy Council

News Release: The text of the following statement was released by the Government of the United States of America and European Union.


Secretary Antony J. Blinken And Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba Before Their Meeting

Release: SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, good afternoon, everyone. As always, a great pleasure to be with my friend and colleague, Dmytro Kuleba, the foreign minister of Ukraine. And we’re here, of course, at NATO where we’ve seen over the last year very strong support and solidarity for Ukraine, countries coming together ...


ISN Assistant Secretary Eliot Kang’s Keynote Address to CSIS-FKI Webinar

Release: Thank you for that kind introduction, and I thank FKI and CSIS organizers for giving me the opportunity to speak to this distinguished body of participants in Seoul and Washington.


U.S. Conventional Weapons Destruction in Africa: Stabilizing Conflict-Affected Areas, Promoting Environmental Resilience

Release: The United States invests in conventional weapons destruction in Africa to foster lasting peace, security, and prosperity. Explosive hazards, or even the suspected presence of them, hinder travel to and from schools and water sources, and limit local agricultural growth and economic development. Additionally,...


Secretary Antony J. Blinken and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg Before Their Meeting

Release: SECRETARY GENERAL STOLTENBERG: So Secretary Blinken, dear Tony, welcome.


Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg

Release: The following is attributable to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel.


To Walk the Earth in Safety: New Report Showcases U.S. Global Leadership in Conventional Weapons Destruction and Landmine Clearance

News Release: On April 4, 2023, the Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs released the 22nd Edition of To Walk the Earth in Safety, an illustrated report summarizing the accomplishments of the U.S. Conventional Weapons Destruction (CWD) Program in fiscal year 2022.