Travel of State Department Officials

Under Secretary Wendy R. Sherman will travel to Indonesia, India, and Bangladesh from May 21-28; and Acting Assistant Secretary Joseph Yun will travel to Indonesia, Brunei, and Vietnam from May 20-29.

Cameroon National Day

Secretary Kerry (May 19): "I offer you my best wishes on the occasion of this 53^rd anniversary of Cameroon's independence, and look forward to continued cooperation to promote peace, democracy, and economic growth in Cameroon and the region. "

Foreign Service Institute's (FSI) Security Overseas Seminar

On May 20, Secretary Kerry will address the Foreign Service Institute's (FSI) Security Overseas Seminar at the George P. Shultz National Foreign Affairs Training Center. Check back here to watch the videotaped event at approximately 10:30 a.m. EDT.

Annual Report on International Religious Freedom

On May 20, Secretary Kerry will release the Annual Report on International Religious Freedom for 2012. The report describes the state of religious freedom around the world. Watch it here live at 11:30 a.m. EDT.

Travel to the Middle East and Africa

From May 21-27, Secretary Kerry will travel to Muscat, Amman, Jerusalem, Ramallah, and Addis Ababa to discuss a range of regional issues; meet with key international partners; and participate in the World Economic Forum.

U.S.-Bangladesh Dialogue

Secretary Kerry (May 17): "We look forward to ... our partnership dialogue that will take place in Dhaka in about a week or so. And this is a very important step in working on presidential initiatives, including climate change and food security, among others.

State of Emergency in Northern Nigeria

Secretary Kerry (May 17): "The United States is deeply concerned about the fighting in northeastern Nigeria following President Jonathan's declaration of a state of emergency in the Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states."

Labor and Human Rights Through Investment

May 17: The workshop titled “Promoting Labor and Human Rights through Investment” attracted representatives from the investment community, international organizations, academic institutions, and U.S. Government agencies.

Meeting of the President's Task Force on Trafficking in Persons

Secretary Kerry (May 17): "Everybody here understands the impact of human trafficking. I mean, it tears apart communities, tears apart families, challenges, rule of law, not to mention that it is a moral obscenity."

Norway's Constitution Day

Secretary Kerry (May 17): "The United States and our NATO Ally Norway's strong friendship is vital in the face of global challenges. We're natural partners in addressing today's most important international issues."

U.S.-Australia Defense Trade Cooperation

Secretary Kerry (May 16): "Today's entry into force of the Defense Trade Cooperation Treaty between the United States and Australia enables American and Australian troops to get the best technology in the fastest way possible."

New Terrorist Designation

May 16: The State Department has designated al-Nusrah Front leader Muhammad al-Jawlani as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist under Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, which targets terrorists and those providing support to terrorists or acts of terrorism.

Humanitarian Assistance to Mali

May 16: The United States is providing more than $32 million in additional humanitarian assistance to support Malians affected by the crisis.

Daily Press Briefing: Burma

Spokesperson Psaki (May 17): "We do welcome the reports that approximately 20 political prisoners were released today. ... So we continue to urge the government to work through the political prisoner review committee, which was specially put in place to address remaining cases.

U.S. Relations With Turkey

Secretary Kerry (May 16): "We all gather here knowing that we have a distance to go to make our world more secure and stable....So it's comforting to know that where the thorniest problems exist, we look beside us and we find Turkey at the table helping to lead.

U.S.-Indonesia Relationship

Secretary Kerry (May 16): "We are particularly interested in furthering this relationship as much as we can because Indonesia plays such a critical role in the balance of interests in that region, and because we've been rebalancing ourselves towards Asia.

Focus on the Asia-Pacific Region

Acting Assistant Secretary Yun (May 16): "At the outset of his Administration, the President made a strategic decision to increase focus on the Asia-Pacific region and rebalance U.S. engagements, activities, and resources toward and within this vital region.

Camp Hurriya Residents Depart for Albania

On May 15 the first 14 Camp Hurriya residents departed Iraq for permanent relocation in Albania. The United States expresses its appreciation to the Government of Albania.

Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula

Ambassador Davies (May 15): "It is very much the case that both China and the United States share the view that denuclearization of the peninsula is absolutely essential if we are to move forward in any diplomatic process with North Korea."

U.S. Policy Toward Iran

Under Secretary Sherman (May 15): "I want to use this opportunity to speak clearly about these challenges; to lay out the multi-vectored strategy we are pursuing to counter them; and to be clear about the consequential choices ahead for America and our allies.

Arctic Council Ministerial Session

Secretary Kerry (May 15): "A secure and well-managed Arctic marked by international cooperation and ... an absence of conflict is a key policy priority of the United States."

Daily Press Briefing: Israeli Settlement Activity

Spokesperson Psaki (May 16): "The Secretary, and the President, in fact, have both spoken to settlements in the past, and our position is clear that we don't accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlement activity."

Expedited U.S. Passport Services

May 14: The State Department offers expedited passport services to U.S. citizens planning to travel abroad this summer, including families going on summer vacations and students participating in study abroad programs.

New "American English" Mobile Application

May 14: The free “American English” mobile application provides new audiences worldwide with “anytime, anywhere” English language learning resources on the mobile devices they already own.

Daily Press Briefing: Russia

Acting Deputy Spokesperson Ventrell (May 15): "We can confirm that an American Embassy official in Moscow was briefly detained and was released and that we've seen the Russian Foreign Ministry announcements."

Memorial to Fallen Advisors

May 14: The State Department has commissioned a new memorial to honor personnel who lost their lives while supporting overseas criminal justice assistance programs. Fact Sheet

U.S.-Sweden Partnership

Secretary Kerry (May 14): "This is an important partnership that is based on our shared values and on a lot of shared aspirations for peace, for better relations between countries, and certainly for the combined security and prosperity of all of our people.

Travel to Germany and Belgium

Ambassador James Dobbins travels to Berlin, Germany and Brussels, Belgium from May 14-17. This is Ambassador Dobbins' first trip in his new capacity as Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan.

2013 Global Diaspora Forum

Under Secretary Hormats (May 14): "The goal of this forum is to underscore that in many ways America's story is the world's story. The incredibly important role of diaspora communities in America's success is well known." DipNote

Daily Press Briefing: Syria

Acting Deputy Spokesperson Ventrell (May 14): "Our assistance to the Syrian opposition is on an upward trajectory. It includes both...our major nonlethal assistance as well as humanitarian assistance that goes to all Syrian people, anybody who's in need.