News and reports from the State Department.

The U.S. Department of State announced on July 22 that four U.S. cities have been selected to participate in the first cohort of the Reta Jo Lewis Local Diplomat Program for the class of 2024-2025: Chattanooga, TN; Kansas City, MO; San Antonio, TX; and San Diego, CA.

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with UN Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza Sigrid Kaag on July 22, 2024. According to Spokesperson Matthew Miller, Secretary Blinken reviewed ongoing diplomatic efforts to achieve the ceasefire endorsed by the United Nations Security Council in resolution 2735 and emphasized the significant role of the United Nations in increasing humanitarian assistance as part of any agreement's implementation.

On behalf of the Government of the United States, I wish the people of the Kingdom of Belgium all the best as you celebrate your National Day.

Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Lee Satterfield will travel to Paris, France from July 22 to August 2. During her visit, she will serve as the Head of Delegation at UNESCO’s Sports Ministerial 'Change the Game' Conference and participate in public diplomacy engagements aimed at promoting sports as a diplomatic platform to foster unity and peace.

Today marks 25 years since the People's Republic of China (PRC) initiated a campaign of repression against practitioners of Falun Gong, a self-described spiritual practice. For two and a half decades, PRC authorities have targeted Falun Gong practitioners and their families in a campaign of abuses and rights violations.

On behalf of the United States of America, I extend my congratulations and best wishes to the people of Colombia on your Independence Day. Our nations share an enduring partnership rooted in mutual respect and shared values. Our continued cooperation toward bolstering peace and security, creating equitable economic opportunities, strengthening respect for human rights and the rule of law, and addressing the effects of climate change is creating a brighter future for both our countries. We share deep cultural and people-to-people ties that continue to bind the progress of our...

Acting Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs John Bass will travel to Chad and Tanzania from July 20 to July 25.

The United States has designated two members of the Russian hacktivist group Cyber Army of Russia Reborn (CARR) for their involvement in cyber operations targeting U.S. critical infrastructure entities.

Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Ambassador Bonnie D. Jenkins will travel to Bucharest, Romania from July 20-24, 2024.

The Kyrgyz Republic has successfully repatriated 22 women and children from the al-Hol and Roj displaced persons camps in northeast Syria. This marks the second such return of its nationals this year and the sixth overall since February 2023. A statement commended the Kyrgyz Republic for its continued efforts, describing repatriation as "the only durable solution to the humanitarian and security challenges in northeast Syria."

The United States officially opened its embassy in Port Vila today. This opening marks the growth of the relationship with Vanuatu and underlines the strength of the commitment to bilateral relations, to the Ni-Vanuatu people, and to partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region.

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken will participate in a fireside chat moderated by Mary Louise Kelly, co-host of National Public Radio’s All Things Considered, on Friday, July 19, 2024, at 11:05 a.m. EDT/9:05 a.m. MDT at the Aspen Security Forum in Aspen, Colorado.

The U.S. Department of State and Department of Energy, in coordination with Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Energy, held the 2024 U.S.-Kazakhstan Strategic Energy Dialogue on July 18 in Astana. The dialogue deepened cooperation on shared priorities of enhancing energy security, accelerating the clean energy transition and methane mitigation, and developing Kazakhstan’s critical minerals sector.

Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell met with Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. He congratulated President Faye and the Senegalese people for holding free and fair presidential elections conducted peacefully in March. During the meeting, the Deputy Secretary reiterated the United States’ ongoing commitment to the U.S.-Senegal partnership and underscored shared dedication to democracy, respect for human rights, regional security, and prosperity for all. The two leaders also discussed opportunities to increase bilateral trade and investment, particularly in the...

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met with Mexican Foreign Secretary Alicia Bárcena on July 17, 2024, to reaffirm the importance of the U.S.-Mexico relationship for the shared security and prosperity of both nations. The meeting was reported by Spokesperson Matthew Miller.