Foreign Assistance Dashboard

May 20: Fiscal Year 2013 Quarter 2 obligation and expenditure data is now available on the Foreign Assistance Dashboard.

Advancing Disability Rights Worldwide

On May 22, the State Department will host the first EMPOWER Conference on disability inclusive diplomacy.

New Special Envoy To Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism

May 20: Secretary Kerry announced that Ira Forman will serve as the Special Envoy To Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism.

Travel of Coordinator Painter

Christopher Painter, the Secretary's Coordinator for Cyber Issues, travels to Stockholm, Sweden from May 21-24.

U.S.-New Zealand Partnership

Secretary Kerry (May 20): "New Zealand has been a partner in a lot of our initiatives and interests, and particularly helping out in a place like Afghanistan, which is far away, but they've been an enormous global partner."

U.S.-Brazil Relationship

Secretary Kerry (May 20): "Our relationship with Brazil is an extremely important one, growing in its significance. … We want to strengthen the Global Partnership Dialogue that we share, and there's a lot that we work on together."

Travel to the Middle East and Africa

From May 21-27, Secretary Kerry travels 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.

Daily Press Briefing: Egypt

Acting Deputy Spokesperson Ventrell (May 20): "We are deeply concerned by the growing trend of efforts to punish and deter political expression in Egypt."

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 travels 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 53rd 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 Security Overseas Seminar

Secretary Kerry (May 20): "I want you to know that every day that I am privileged to be in this position, I have no greater priority and no greater responsibility than ensuring that we do all that we can within reason and capacity to protect you." Fa

Annual Report on International Religious Freedom

Secretary Kerry (May 20): "This report … shines light on the challenges that people face as they seek nothing more than the basic religious freedom, the right to worship as they wish." Report Fact Sheet

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 U.S. 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.

Annual Report on International Religious Freedom

May 20: Secretary Kerry released the Annual Report on International Religious Freedom for 2012. The report describes the state of religious freedom around the world. A transcript and video will be available soon. Report Fact Sheet

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."

Foreign Service Institute's Security Overseas Seminar

May 20: Secretary Kerry addressed the Foreign Service Institute's (FSI) Security Overseas Seminar at the George P. Shultz National Foreign Affairs Training Center. A transcript and video will be available soon.

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.-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.

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."