Kurt M. Campbell Deputy Secretary of State | Official Website
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken addressed the annual briefing of the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) in Washington, D.C., reflecting on his long-standing connection to the area and expressing gratitude for Amazon's investment in the community.
Blinken shared personal anecdotes from his 32-year career at the State Department, highlighting his journey from a small office with no windows to a more prominent position. He expressed appreciation for the Diplomatic Security team, emphasizing their crucial role in ensuring safety.
OSAC, established in 1985, has grown significantly from its initial 15 members to encompass 6,700 organizations across 150 countries. Blinken acknowledged OSAC's evolution and adaptation to new security challenges, including emerging technologies and climate change-related risks.
He highlighted OSAC's role in crisis management and coordination during major events like World Expos and the Paris Olympics. Recent agreements with Elevance Health, the Security Foundation, and the Wildlife Conservation Society have transitioned OSAC into a public-private partnership model, allowing for greater financial support and expertise sharing.
Blinken emphasized OSAC's mission to enhance safety for Americans globally, advocating for continued collaboration between government and private sectors. "At its core, OSAC’s mission is to make it safer for Americans to advance our shared interests around the world," he stated.
In closing, Blinken reiterated the importance of working together in an interconnected world: "We’re not going back on the fact that we’re operating in an interconnected, global world."
