Latest News


McCaul Calls for Accountability in COVID-19 Origins

News Release: Washington, D.C. - House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul released the following statement on reports that Ben Hu, a researcher at the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) who was conducting gain-of-function research on coronaviruses at dangerously unsafe biosafety levels, was one of three scientists who were ill with COVID-like symptoms in November 2019.


Assistant Secretary Kritenbrink’s Meetings in Tokyo and Seoul

News Release: Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel J. Kritenbrink held meetings with Japanese officials in Tokyo on June 20 and Republic of Korea (ROK) officials in Seoul on June 21.


Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with Ukrainian Prime Minister Shmyhal

Release: The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller.


DOS-OES grant application closes on Aug. 7

Track 1.5 Dialogue on Global Water Security grant opened on June 22.


Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Türkiye Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan Before Their Meeting

News Release: SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, good afternoon, everyone, and it’s a real pleasure to have this opportunity to meet with a colleague of many years, Hakan Fidan, the new foreign minister of Türkiye. I’m so pleased to be working with you. I had a terrific relationship and partnership with Mevlut Cavusoglu, and ...


USTDA Technical Assistance Grant for Network Modernization in the Republic of Palau

News Release: The U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce the signing of a technical assistance grant between the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) and the Republic of Palau. The USTDA grant, with funding from the Digital Connectivity and Cybersecurity Partnership, will provide the Palau National Communications Corporation (PNCC) with technical assistance to modernize Palau’s telecommunications network and advance Internet connectivity for its population.


2023 Trafficking in Persons Report: Haiti

The Government of Haiti does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so.


2023 Trafficking in Persons Report: Saint Lucia

The Government of Saint Lucia does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so.


2023 Trafficking in Persons Report: Brazil

The Government of Brazil does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so.


2023 Trafficking in Persons Report: Dominican Republic

The Government of the Dominican Republic does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so.


2023 Trafficking in Persons Report: Nicaragua

The Government of Nicaragua does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so, even considering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, if any, on its anti-trafficking capacity;


2023 Trafficking in Persons Report: Guyana

The Government of Guyana fully meets the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking.


Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with G7 and EU Representatives

News Release: The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller


2023 Trafficking in Persons Report: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

The Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so.


Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan

Release: The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller.


2023 Trafficking in Persons Report: Venezuela

Venezuela does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making any efforts to do so, even considering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its anti-trafficking capacity; therefore Venezuela remained on Tier 3.


New Book Explores History & Magnificence of State Department’s Diplomatic Reception Rooms

News Release: An upcoming book, “AMERICA’S COLLECTION: The Art & Architecture of the Diplomatic Reception Rooms at the U.S. Department of State" (Rizzoli Electa, September 5, 2023), offers a fascinating exploration of a little-known treasure of American art and architecture: 42 meticulously designed and decorated state rooms where secretaries of state and foreign dignitaries have gathered to conduct diplomacy in discreet yet elegant surroundings over the decades.


2023 Trafficking in Persons Report: Belize

The Government of Belize does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so.


2023 Trafficking in Persons Report: Argentina

The Government of Argentina fully meets the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking.


2023 Trafficking in Persons Report: The Bahamas

The Government of The Bahamas fully meets the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking.