News from 2023


AIM For Climate Summit: Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils in Africa

The U.S. Department of State, Office of the Special Envoy for Global Food Security, is organizing a breakout session during the AIM for Climate Summit that will discuss the role of developing climate-resilient seeds and improving soil health and fertility in determining the future success and sustainability of food systems.



Acting Coordinator for Counterterrorism Landberg’s Travel to Egypt

Acting Coordinator for Counterterrorism Christopher Landberg will lead the U.S. delegation to Cairo May 2-5 to participate in the 21st Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF) Coordinating Committee Meeting, in which Egypt will join the European Union as incoming GCTF Co-Chairs.


Faces of Kremlin Propaganda: Maria Zakharova

A loyal Kremlin messenger and among the most enthusiastic purveyors of Russia’s disinformation and propaganda, Maria Zakharova has served as the Russian Foreign Ministry (MFA)’s spokesperson since 2015.


Congratulations to Department of State Employees Named as 2023 Service to America Medal Finalists

The Director General is pleased to announce that Mr. Fletcher Schoen and Ms. Jennifer Harkins of the Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs have been named as finalists for the 2023 Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals.


United States-Australia Fifth Energy Security Dialogue

Release: The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Energy Resources (ENR), in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), hosted a delegation from Australia in Washington on April 25-27 for the fifth bilateral Energy Security Dialogue. Deputy Secretary Simon Duggan from the Department of Climate Change,...


DRL Support for Recently Exiled Cuban Human Rights Defenders

Release: United States Department of State. Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL). Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO): DRL Support for Recently Exiled Cuban Human Rights Defenders. This is the announcement of funding opportunity number SFOP0009705. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 19.345...


An Optimistic and Thankful Farewell: The Hard Work Will Continue and Will Succeed

Release: Goodbyes are always hard. Soon I will be stepping down as the Assistant Secretary for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, or OES, to lead the Wildlife Conservation Society, based in New York City. Serving the people of the United States as part of the Biden Administration has...


Chairmen McCaul, Green, Jordan Statement on Passage of H.R. 2, Secure the Border Act

News Release: WASHINGTON, D.C.- Today, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael T. McCaul (R-TX), House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark E. Green, MD (R-TN), and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) released the following statement on the passage of the Secure the Border Act of 2023 (H.R. 2) by the U.S. House of Representatives...


Subcommittee Hearing Announcement on China’s Economic Aggression and Predatory Practices

News Release: Washington, D.C. - The House Foreign Affairs Committee announced the Subcommittee on Indo-Pacific will convene a hearing entitled, “Standing United Against the People’s Republic of China’s Economic Aggression.


Taiwan as an Observer in the World Health Assembly

Release: The World Health Assembly (WHA), the decision-making body of the World Health Organization (WHO), will hold its annual meeting May 21-30 in Geneva to discuss global public health priorities. It is a unique opportunity for delegates and health experts from around the world to advance global health and global health security. We strongly encourage the WHO to invite Taiwan to participate as an observer at this year’s WHA meeting so it may lend its expertise to the discussions.


DRL Enabling Workers’ Rights through a Just Transition

Release: United States Department of State. Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL). Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO): DRL Enabling Workers’ Rights through a Just Transition. This is the announcement of funding opportunity number SFOP0009691. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 19.345.


Department of State Begins Construction on New U.S. Embassy in Lilongwe, Malawi

Release: In a display of the continuing strong ties between the United States and Malawi, the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO), the U.S. Mission in Malawi, and other U.S. and local officials celebrated the groundbreaking of the new U.S. embassy campus on May 11 in Lilongwe.


Artemis Accords Foster Peaceful Civil Space Cooperation

Release: The Artemis Accords bring together nations through a common set of principles to guide civil space exploration, setting the stage for peaceful, responsible, and productive cooperation in space affairs. Through robust space diplomacy from the Department of State and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and the leadership of Vice President Kamala Harris, the Accords have grown to 24 signatories.


The Attack on AHA Centre Convoy

Release: We are deeply concerned by reports that unknown assailants in Burma shot at an ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre) convoy under military escort. Just ahead of the ASEAN Leaders’ Summit, these attacks in Shan State come as the regime’s violence and...


Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Salem Al Sabah Before Their Meeting

News Release: SECRETARY BLINKEN: It’s a special pleasure to welcome the foreign minister back to the State Department, back to Washington. Foreign Minister Al Sabah and I have been friends for many, many years, and with all due respect to the extraordinary new ambassador that Kuwait has, we did feel that there was ...



Deputy Secretary for Management and Resources Verma to Meet with UN High Commissioner for Refugees Grandi

News Release: On Thursday, May 11, 2023, Deputy Secretary Verma will meet with UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi where they will discuss the current situation in the Western Hemisphere with a particular focus on the lifting of Title 42, exchange notes on the global humanitarian situation, and review global refugee resettlement operations.


Advancing the Minerals Security Partnership with Argentina and the Private Sector

News Release: To advance the goals of the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), a collaboration of 13 governments to catalyze public and private investment in critical mineral supply chains globally, Under Secretary Jose W. Fernandez convened an online discussion with Argentine Secretary of Mining María Fernanda Ávila, ...


Notice of Funding Opportunity: DRL Strengthening Migrant Workers’ Rights in Southeast Asia

Release: This is the announcement of funding opportunity number SFOP0009692.