The U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Dec. 20 announced a new U.S. special coordinator for Tibetan issues.
Uzra Zeya will coordinate U.S. government policies, programs and projects concerning Tibetan issues, consistent with the Tibetan Policy Act of 2002, as amended by the Tibetan Policy and Support Act of 2020, according to a press release from the U.S. Department of State.
"Specifically, she will promote substantive dialogue, without preconditions, between the Government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the Dalai Lama, his representatives, or democratically elected Tibetan leaders in support of a negotiated agreement on Tibet," Blinken said in the release. "She will promote respect for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of Tibetans, including their freedom of religion or belief, and will support efforts to preserve their distinct historical, linguistic, cultural and religious heritage."
Special Coordinator Zeya will further support U.S. efforts to address the humanitarian needs of Tibetan refugees and diaspora communities, according to the release.
"She also will promote activities to protect the environment and sustainably manage the water and other natural resources of the Tibetan plateau," Blinken said in the release. "Consistent with the Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act of 2018, she also will seek to increase access to Tibet for U.S. officials, journalists and other citizens."
The release states that Zeya will continue to serve as under secretary, a position for which she was sworn into in 2021.
