News and reports from the State Department.

Secretary Antony J. Blinken addressed the press on September 13, 2024, emphasizing the importance of accurate information in a democracy and outlining measures to combat disinformation.

Acting Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs John R. Bass met with South African Director-General of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation Zane Dangor yesterday in Washington, D.C., for the fourth U.S.-South Africa Working Group on African and Global Issues (WGAGI). The WGAGI, part of the annual structured engagements between South Africa and the United States, focuses on bilateral, African, and global issues of common concern, aiming to explore opportunities for further collaboration. Both Chairpersons noted that the meeting highlights the value,...

The United States has assessed that the necessary conditions for convening free, fair, transparent, and inclusive elections in Syria have not been met. Consequently, it does not support the recent announcement by the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (DAANES) calling on the High Elections Committee to begin preparations for municipal elections.

Department of State Bureau of Energy Resources (ENR) Assistant Secretary Geoffrey R. Pyatt will travel to Houston, Texas, from September 16-17 to address the Gastech 2024 Conference and meet with energy industry leaders and ministers from around the world.

Deputy Secretary Kurt Campbell visited Reykjavík today for meetings with Icelandic Foreign Minister Þórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörð Gylfadóttir and members of the Icelandic parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee. Deputy Secretary Campbell and Foreign Minister Gylfadóttir also co-chaired a bilateral dialogue on the Indo-Pacific region.

On September 18, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. ET in Washington, D.C., Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Jose W. Fernandez will deliver remarks alongside Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Đurić at an official signing ceremony between the U.S. and Serbia to advance energy cooperation. The Under Secretary and Minister will provide opening remarks before signing an agreement on strategic cooperation in the field of energy in Serbia, which will expand opportunities for U.S. companies to invest in Serbia’s energy sector, including promoting U.S. investments that...

The United States has extended its condolences to the people of Vietnam affected by Typhoon Yagi. According to an announcement from the U.S. Mission to Vietnam, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is providing humanitarian aid to support Vietnam’s response efforts. This aid includes multipurpose cash assistance, shelter, water, sanitation, and hygiene assistance, as well as non-food items to support disaster relief efforts led by the Government of Vietnam.

Today, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell and Estonian Secretary of State Taimar Peterkop, with Estonian Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Jonatan Vseviov in attendance, signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen cooperation between the United States and the Republic of Estonia on countering foreign state information manipulation.

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken engaged in a conversation with Romanian Foreign Minister Luminita Odobescu today, discussing Romania's recent donation of a PATRIOT strategic air defense system to Ukraine.

The Department of State has announced actions against five entities and one individual involved in the proliferation of ballistic missiles and controlled missile equipment and technology.

Launched in 2010, the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) is a bipartisan effort transcending multiple U.S. Administrations to help Caribbean partners disrupt illicit trafficking, counter transnational organized crime, and strengthen citizen security. As of 2024, the U.S. government has committed more than $1 billion through CBSI to partner with 13 Caribbean countries, including the Dominican Republic. CBSI programs advance U.S.-Dominican Republic cooperation and capacity building on key issues, including citizen security, illicit trafficking and transnational...

The United States is taking action to promote accountability for Nicolás Maduro and his representatives for obstructing a competitive and inclusive presidential election in Venezuela and abusing the human rights of the Venezuelan people. Rather than respecting the will of the Venezuelan people as expressed at the ballot box, Maduro and his representatives have falsely claimed victory while repressing and intimidating the democratic opposition in an illegitimate attempt to cling to power by force.

The Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement (C-SIPA), signed one year ago by Secretary of State Antony Blinken and His Royal Highness Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, has elevated bilateral cooperation to new heights and delivered tangible benefits to both countries and the region. This historic agreement provides a framework for enhancing collaboration across a wide range of areas from security to emerging technology, trade, and investment.

The following statement was released by Deputy Secretary of State Kurt M. Campbell and Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis.

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal today in Kyiv. The Secretary and Prime Minister discussed U.S. support for Ukraine’s military, ongoing needs on the battlefield, and continued investment in and strengthening of Ukraine’s air defense systems. They also discussed ongoing anti-corruption reform efforts to bolster Ukraine’s economic recovery and continue its trajectory towards Euro-Atlantic integration.