News and reports from the State Department.

On August 14, 2024, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken issued a press statement congratulating the Republic of Korea on its National Day.

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with President of the Sovereign Council of Sudan and Commander-in-Chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. The Secretary reiterated the need for participation in ongoing peace talks in Switzerland to achieve full implementation of the Jeddah Declaration of Commitment to Protect the Civilians of Sudan.

The Office of Global Partnerships at the U.S. Department of State, Concordia, and the University of Virginia Darden School’s Institute for Business in Society have announced the five finalists for the 2024 P3 Impact Award. Now in its 11th year, the P3 Impact Award recognizes exemplary public-private partnerships (P3s) that provide solutions to pressing global issues such as improving access to education, ecological sustainability, women’s economic empowerment, and humanitarian assistance. Special Representative for Global Partnerships Dorothy McAuliffe will announce the P3...

The United States has issued a strong condemnation of the Houthi seizure of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) headquarters in Sana’a, Yemen. The incident involved Houthi militants storming and taking over the OHCHR headquarters, an act described as a violation of international norms.

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty today to discuss shared objectives for promoting regional stability and recent diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions in the region. The Secretary thanked the Foreign Minister for Egypt’s crucial efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza through a deal that would secure the release of hostages, surge humanitarian assistance, and unlock the possibility of broader regional stability.

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken held a conversation today with Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, as reported by Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel.

The U.S. Department of State has initiated a partnership with Coupang, Inc., a Fortune 200 technology company based in Seattle, to bolster the U.S. Government’s innovation and economic security efforts in the Indo-Pacific region. This collaboration aims to enhance public diplomacy, youth upskilling, leadership development, entrepreneurship, and sports diplomacy in the Republic of Korea (ROK). It marks the Department's first partnership of this nature with a U.S. company in the ROK.

Special Representative for Global Partnerships Dorothy McAuliffe, U.S. Ambassador to Jamaica N. Nick Perry, and USAID Country Representative Dr. Jaidev Singh have launched the Coalition for Climate Entrepreneurship (CCE) Hub in Kingston, Jamaica. The initiative was formalized on August 14 through a memorandum of understanding signed with the Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship, Caribbean.

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken engaged in a conversation with Mexican Foreign Secretary Bárcena, focusing on the Maduro regime's obligation to release untampered and detailed vote tallies from the July 28 presidential election in Venezuela. The discussion also covered the necessity to end human rights abuses, including arbitrary arrests and indiscriminate detentions.

The United States has expressed strong opposition to Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir’s visit to the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount on August 13. The visit was seen as a blatant disregard for the historic status quo concerning the holy sites in Jerusalem. According to U.S. officials, such actions exacerbate tensions at a critical time when diplomatic efforts are focused on achieving a ceasefire agreement, securing the release of hostages, and fostering broader regional stability.

On behalf of all Americans, I extend my heartfelt wishes to the people of Pakistan as they celebrate their Independence Day on August 14.

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shiaa al-Sudani on August 12, 2024. The conversation, as detailed by Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel, centered on ongoing diplomatic efforts to enhance stability in the region and the necessity of preventing escalation.

Assistant Secretary of State for Arms Control, Deterrence, and Stability (ADS), Mallory Stewart, will travel to Omaha, Nebraska, from August 13-14, 2024, to attend the 2024 United States Strategic Command (STRATCOM) Deterrence Symposium.

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan regarding the importance of Hamas' return to negotiations on August 15 to finalize a framework for achieving an immediate and durable ceasefire in Gaza and securing the release of all hostages.

Today marks the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Geneva Conventions of 1949. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken issued a statement commemorating this milestone, reflecting on the urgent need for new protections for prisoners of war, the wounded and sick, and civilians in times of war that emerged from the tragedies experienced during the Second World War.