News and reports from the State Department.

Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) Todd D. Robinson will travel to Canberra, Australia, from September 3-4 where he will meet with Australian officials to discuss INL programming and coordination of U.S. and Australia approaches to shared challenges, including in the Pacific region.

Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell visited New Zealand on August 30, 2024, to co-chair the U.S.-New Zealand Strategic Dialogue and engage with senior government officials. The visit also marked the launch of the inaugural Critical and Emerging Technology Dialogue.

Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell traveled to Vanuatu on August 29 to dedicate the U.S. Embassy in Port Vila. His visit underscored shared priorities and bilateral initiatives, including climate resiliency, healthcare, and cultural heritage preservation.

On behalf of the Government of the United States of America, I extend my best wishes to the people of the Kyrgyz Republic on August 31 as they celebrate Kyrgyz Independence Day.

The United States and Republic of Korea (ROK) will hold the fifth meeting of the Extended Deterrence Strategy and Consultation Group on September 4, 2024, at the Department of State. This meeting provides a forum for comprehensive discussions on strategic policy issues on the Korean Peninsula and in the Indo-Pacific impacting the Alliance and extended deterrence.

On September 12, 2024, the Department of State’s Advisory Committee on International Postal and Delivery Services will convene to review developments in the Universal Postal Union (UPU), including proposals being developed for next year’s regular UPU Congress in Dubai.

The following is the Joint Statement released by the Governments of the United States and New Zealand on the occasion of the New Zealand – United States Strategic Dialogue in Auckland, New Zealand.

The 17th U.S.-Japan Joint Working-Level Committee (JWLC) Meeting on Science and Technology Cooperation took place in Washington, D.C. on August 28, 2024. Rahima Kandahari, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Science and Space in the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs of the U.S. Department of State, and H.E. Kaji Misako, Ambassador for Science and Technology Cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan co-chaired the JWLC.

At the U.S.-Africa Nuclear Energy Summit in Nairobi, Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Bonnie Jenkins, joined by U.S. Department of Energy Deputy Assistant Secretary Aleshia Duncan, Ghana Deputy Minister of Energy Collins Adomako-Mensah, and Ghana Ministry of Energy Chief Director Wilhelmina Asamoah, observed a significant milestone in civil nuclear cooperation between U.S. and Ghanaian nuclear industries — the signing of a commercial agreement between Nuclear Power Ghana (NPG) and Regnum Technology Group, the U.S. developer for a small...

Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell traveled to the Kingdom of Tonga from August 27 to 28 to lead the U.S. delegation at the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders Meeting, hosted by Tonga and chaired by Prime Minister Hu‘akavemeiliku Siaosi Sovaleni. Deputy Secretary Campbell also engaged with Pacific Island leaders on the sidelines of the event to discuss how the United States has worked to deliver on shared priorities, as outlined in the Pacific Islands Forum 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent and the U.S. Pacific Partnership Strategy.

In the month since Venezuelans went to the polls, Nicolás Maduro and his representatives have tampered with the results of that election, falsely claimed victory, and carried out widespread repression to maintain power. The United States applauds the courage and resilience of the millions of Venezuelans who voted and who continue to peacefully call for Maduro to acknowledge that Edmundo González Urrutia received the most votes. In spite of repeated calls from Venezuelans and the international community, the Maduro-controlled National Electoral Council (CNE) has failed to...

The United States and Peru have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enhance cooperation on critical minerals. The agreement was formalized by U.S. Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Jose W. Fernandez and Peruvian Minister of Foreign Affairs Javier González-Olaechea in Lima, Peru.

Senior Coordinator for Atlantic Cooperation Ambassador Jessye Lapenn hosted a virtual meeting of senior representatives from 36 members of the Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation on August 28. The meeting focused on the application of ocean-related or ‘blue’ technology tools to help solve shared challenges and advance Atlantic priorities.

Deputy Secretary of State Kurt M. Campbell and the Republic of Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka signed an Open Skies Air Transportation Agreement today on the margins of the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting in Nuku‘alofa to advance bilateral aviation cooperation. The Agreement aims to elevate the civil aviation transportation relationship between the United States and Fiji to modern standards.

Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard R. Verma will travel to San Diego, California, and Tijuana, Mexico from August 28 to 30. In San Diego, Deputy Secretary Verma will meet with sailors assigned to the USS John P. Murtha. He will also hold meetings with Members of Congress.