News and reports from the State Department.

On July 1, 2024, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken issued a press statement on behalf of the United States, extending best wishes to the Rwandan people on the occasion of their National Day. This year marks the 62nd anniversary of Rwanda's independence and the 30th anniversary of Liberation Day, celebrated on July 4.

Special Advisor on International Disability Rights (SAIDR) Sara Minkara will travel to Istanbul and Ankara, Türkiye, from June 30 to July 3. The visit aims to advance the inclusion of persons with disabilities across various policy areas.

On June 30, 2024, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken issued a press statement on behalf of the United States of America, extending best wishes to the Congolese people and the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo on their 64th anniversary of independence.

Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State, extended his congratulations to the people of Seychelles on the forty-eighth anniversary of their independence in a press statement released on June 29, 2024.

From June 30 to July 2, Special Envoy to Advance the Human Rights of LGBTQI+ Persons Jessica Stern will travel to Dublin, Ireland. Special Envoy Stern will meet with senior Irish government officials to discuss Ireland’s efforts to advance LGBTQI+ equality via multilateral fora and domestically to address discrimination and provide mental health support for LGBTQI+ individuals. SE Stern will also meet with Irish parliamentarians to discuss legislative approaches and best practices to strengthen political support for advancing LGBTQI+ equality in Ireland.

U.S. Special Envoy for Yemen Tim Lenderking is traveling to Saudi Arabia and Oman this week to continue discussions with partners regarding recent Houthi detentions of UN, diplomatic, and international NGO staff. The talks will also address efforts to secure an immediate end to Houthi attacks in the Red Sea and surrounding waterways.

The United States congratulates the people of Mongolia on participating in the June 28 parliamentary elections and successfully continuing the proud tradition of exercising their democratic right to vote. The United States looks forward to working with Mongolia’s newly elected members of the State Great Khural and its incoming government.

Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Jose W. Fernandez will deliver remarks at a signing ceremony advancing cooperation on bilateral air aviation alongside the Dominican Republic’s Minister of Tourism David Collado on June 28, 2024, at 12 p.m. ET in Washington, DC. The Under Secretary and Minister will provide opening remarks followed by a signing ceremony and reception for the members of the delegation.

Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell met with German Foreign Office State Secretary Thomas Bagger on June 28, 2024. The meeting was focused on coordinating preparations for the upcoming NATO Washington Summit.

Today, Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Jose W. Fernandez and Minister of Tourism David Collado from the Dominican Republic met at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., to advance progress on bilateral aviation cooperation. The delegations, representing the departments of Commerce, State, and Transportation and the Dominican Ministry of Tourism and Institute of Civil Aviation, signed a Memorandum of Consultations, marking the conclusion of negotiations on a bilateral Air Transport Agreement (also known as an “Open Skies”...

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met with UN Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza Sigrid Kaag in Washington, DC, on June 28, 2024. The meeting focused on the necessity to increase and sustain humanitarian aid to Gaza and address security challenges that have hindered the delivery of assistance.

Today, the Department of State released the third public report on the U.S. government’s implementation of the 2021 Presidential Memorandum on Advancing the Human Rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex Persons (LGBTQI+) Around the World. The report highlights efforts to promote and protect the human rights of LGBTQI+ persons globally in 2023.

The United States congratulates the Republic of Korea (ROK) on assuming the chair of the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP) after receiving unanimous support from all MSP partners. The ROK will hold the chair of the MSP for one year starting on July 1. The ROK has demonstrated leadership on critical minerals supply chain issues and has been an engaged and active member of the MSP. The ROK government and its private sector are leading efforts to expand and diversify the supply of critical minerals and the battery supply chain. As the founding chair of the MSP, the United...

Deputy Secretary Campbell spoke today with the People’s Republic of China (PRC) Executive Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu as part of ongoing efforts to maintain open lines of communication between the United States and the PRC and responsibly manage competition in the relationship. They discussed key bilateral, regional, and global issues, including areas of cooperation and areas of difference.

The United States has expressed significant concern regarding the Hungarian government’s implementation of the “Defense of National Sovereignty Act.” The recently established “Sovereignty Protection Office” has taken actions that target civil society and independent media organizations.