Kurt M. Campbell Deputy Secretary of State | Official Website
Deputy Secretary of State Kurt M. Campbell will preside over the 2024 Secretary of State’s Award for Corporate Excellence (ACE) ceremony on October 22, 2024, at the Department of State in Washington, D.C. The event will honor six U.S. companies for their contributions to communities abroad.
The ceremony will be attended by Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Jose W. Fernandez, Acting Assistant Secretary for Economic and Business Affairs Amy Holman, and Special Representative for Commercial and Business Affairs Sarah Morgenthau.
The ACE awards recognize U.S. companies that demonstrate high standards of business conduct internationally. This year marks the award's 25th anniversary since its establishment in 1999. The categories include Women’s Economic Security, Climate Resilience, and Innovation to Strengthen Communities.
In the Women’s Economic Security category, Parker Clay in Ethiopia and Bank of America in India are recognized. Parker Clay employs a workforce where over 80% are women who have survived human trafficking. Bank of America's initiatives in India have positively impacted over 300,000 women and girls through education and employment opportunities.
For Climate Resilience, Rizome from the Philippines is noted for its use of engineered bamboo in construction while Newmont Corporation is acknowledged for its environmental conservation efforts in Suriname.
Koster Keunen is awarded under Innovation to Strengthen Communities for creating a beeswax market across West Africa using sustainable techniques. Microsoft Colombia Inc., recognized for expanding internet connectivity and digital skills development in Colombia over three decades, also receives an award.
The ceremony is open to media coverage with specific guidelines provided for access. Images from the event will be available through the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs Press Office after its conclusion.
