Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard R. Verma is set to visit Bethlehem, Pennsylvania on October 17. The purpose of the visit is to participate in an inscription ceremony that acknowledges the Moravian Church Settlement of Bethlehem as the 26th United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site in the United States. This site will be recognized as the first UNESCO transnational site in the country.

The event will see Deputy Secretary Verma joined by several notable figures including Bethlehem Mayor J. William Reynolds, World Heritage Director Lazare Assomo, and Acting Deputy Director of the National Park Service Pedro Ramos. Representatives from Moravian Church Settlements across Denmark, Germany, and the United Kingdom are also expected to attend. U.S. Ambassador to UNESCO Courtney Diesel O’Donnell will accompany the U.S. government delegation.

Deputy Secretary Verma's remarks during the ceremony will highlight "the United States’ efforts to protect cultural and natural heritage through its engagement with UNESCO and the World Heritage Convention."

In addition to this ceremony, Deputy Secretary Verma plans to engage with students at Lehigh University as part of their United Nations Partnership program. This session aims to discuss foreign policy and youth empowerment while marking the program’s 20th anniversary.

For updates on Deputy Secretary Verma's activities, follow him on Instagram and X: @DepSecStateMR.