Secretary Remarks

July 31, 2012 to August 10, 2012 Travels With Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton Photos Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton traveled to Africa July 31 through August 10, 2012. During this trip, the Secretary emphasized U.S. policy commitments outlined in the Presidential Policy Directive - to strengthen democratic institutions, spur economic growth, advance peace and security as well as promote opportunity and development for all citizens. The Secretary’s first stop was Sene...

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Regions: Somalia , South Africa , Sudan , Uganda , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Energy, Global Health, Human Rights and Democracy

June 8, 2011 to June 14, 2011 Travels With Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton Photos: United Arab Emirates | Zambia | Tanzania | Ethiopia Secretary Clinton traveled to the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) for a meeting of the Libya Contact Group on June 9. This meeting built on the last Contact Group meeting held in Rome and allowed the United States to discuss with its international partners the range of issues with respect to addressing the situation in Libya, including the ongoing implementation ...

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Regions: Ethiopia , Libya , United States , Zambia

Topics: Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance

Johannesburg

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Accompanied President Bush.

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Met with President Mbeki and delivered an address at Witwatersrand University.

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Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State C Street Lobby Washington, DC January 19, 2017 SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you. (Cheers.) Thank you, thank you, thank you very much. Thank you. (Applause.) Thank you. I accept the nomination. (Laughter.) Thank you very much. That was – that silenced it pretty fast. (Laughter.) I am leaving here, obviously, with sadness. It’s bittersweet because you leave. But I actually am excited about the next chapter. And I have a feeling we’re all going to continue to cross paths, co...

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Regions: China, Colombia , Cuba , France , Korea, North , Saudi Arabia , South Africa , Syria , Ukraine , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Climate and Environment, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Energy, Global Health, Science, Technology, and Innovation

Interview John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC January 10, 2017 QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, this journey, this part of your life, is coming to an end. You’ve traveled more than any other secretary of state. You have spent considerable time and hours on a lot of issues, from China to Russia to – from Asia to Latin America. But principally, you spent a lot of time on Israel and Palestine and you spent a lot of time on the Iran nuclear deal and you’ve spent a lot of time on Syria and...

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Regions: Afghanistan, China, Egypt , Indonesia , Iran , Iraq , Israel , Russia , Syria , Turkey , United Kingdom , United States , Vietnam , West Bank

Topics: Climate and Environment, Combating Drugs and Crime, Countering Terrorism, Energy, Global Health, Human Rights and Democracy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance, Science, Technology, and Innovation

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Cabinet Exit Memo Washington, DC January 5, 2017     Introduction When President Obama took office in 2009, the United States was engaged in two costly wars, faced the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, and had a diminished standing with many of our allies and partners around the world. The starting point for this Presidency was one of the toughest I have ever seen in my decades of public service. Over the past eight years, President Ob...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Antarctica, Argentina, Canada , Chad , Chile, China, Cuba , France , India , Iran , Iraq , Israel , Italy , Korea, North , Libya , Nigeria , Russia , Saudi Arabia , Somalia , Sudan , Syria , Thailand , Ukraine , United Kingdom , United States , Western Hemisphere, Yemen

Topics: Arms Control and Nonproliferation, Climate and Environment, Countering Terrorism, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Energy, Global Health, Human Rights and Democracy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance, Science, Technology, and Innovation, The Ocean and Polar Affairs, Treaties and International Agreements

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC January 5, 2017 SECRETARY KERRY: Hi, everybody. Matt, welcome back. QUESTION: Happy New Year. Thank you. SECRETARY KERRY: Congratulations, Matt. QUESTION: Thank you. Thank you very much. SECRETARY KERRY: A little Vaille. QUESTION: Yeah. SECRETARY KERRY: No sleep. QUESTION: Happy New Year, Mr. Secretary. QUESTION: What’s that? SECRETARY KERRY: What? QUESTION: Happy New Year, sir. SECRETARY KERRY: Happy New Year to everybody. Thank you all. Great ...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Antarctica, China, Colombia , Cuba , Egypt , France , Iran , Iraq , Israel , Korea, North , Libya , Nigeria , Norway , Russia , Sudan , Syria , Turkey , Ukraine , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Climate and Environment, Countering Terrorism, Energy, Global Health, Human Rights and Democracy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance, Science, Technology, and Innovation, The Ocean and Polar Affairs

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 13, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Hi, good afternoon. AUDIENCE: Hi. SECRETARY KERRY: Aw, come on, you can do better than that. Hi. AUDIENCE: Hi. SECRETARY KERRY: All right, all right. Now everybody is getting excited again. Whoa, let me just make sure – here we go. So hello, everybody, and welcome. I am really happy to welcome you all here to the Ben Franklin Room of the State Department, and Happy Holidays to all of you. My wife Teresa is over...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Iraq , Pakistan , Sudan , Tunisia , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Human Rights and Democracy

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Parco dei Principi Hotel Rome, Italy December 2, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: (Via interpreter) Thank you very much, Paolo, and good evening. I would like to thank Foreign Minister Gentiloni, the president of the Italian Republic, the Instituto di Studi Internazionale for hosting this successful conference on the Mediterranean. (Inaudible) a special friendship. I am very grateful to you for the many courtesies that you have afforded me as Secretary of State, and it’s...

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Regions: Antarctica, China, France , Iran , Iraq , Italy , Libya , Russia , Saudi Arabia , Syria , Tunisia , Turkey , United Kingdom , United States , Yemen

Topics: Climate and Environment, Countering Terrorism, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Energy, Global Health, Human Rights and Democracy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance, Science, Technology, and Innovation, The Ocean and Polar Affairs

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 1, 2016 On behalf of President Obama and the American people, I congratulate the people of the Central African Republic on the occasion of your country’s national day celebration. America values its friendship with the Central African Republic and applauds your commitment to peace and democracy. Together, we are working to end violence, heal internal divisions, and create a firm foundation for economic and social progress. In th...

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Topics: Human Rights and Democracy

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 1, 2016 On World AIDS Day, we commemorate the lives lost and communities devastated by HIV/AIDS. We also celebrate those lives that have been saved and the courageous individuals who have brought hope and healing to those living with and affected by this disease. Thirty-five years ago, the first published report appeared of five previously healthy men in Los Angeles diagnosed with what soon would be known as AIDS. I have been engaged ...

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Topics: Global Health

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Grand National Theater Lima, Peru November 18, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Scott, thank you very much. My apologies to all on two counts: one for arriving, and then two for leaving almost as fast as I arrived. (Laughter.) But I received a call from the State Department; unfortunately, I needed to take it. But my apologies to all. Scott, thank you so much. Thanks for helping to lead this effort. I’m delighted to see that you are balancing the needs of customers with ...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Peru , South Africa , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Energy, Global Women's Issues, Human Rights and Democracy, Science, Technology, and Innovation

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC November 15, 2016 On behalf of the entire State Department, I congratulate Ambassador Rick Olson on his retirement after three decades of dedicated service to the country. Rick is quite simply one of our most distinguished diplomats, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service who has been on the forefront of our work in the Middle East, Africa, and most recently in Afghanistan and Pakistan. He has brought extraordinary experience and leader...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Pakistan

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State London, United Kingdom October 31, 2016 MR KHAN: Can I thank you all very much for coming to this town hall meeting at the best town hall in the world, city hall. This is my living room, and I’m really pleased that we have the U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry in city hall today. And Secretary Kerry has agreed to take loads of questions from the floor, but those who manage his time say you’re going to get time for three. (Laughter.) So can I have an ide...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Canada , China, Iran , Russia , United Kingdom , United States , Vietnam

Topics: Climate and Environment, Countering Terrorism, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Energy, Global Health, Human Rights and Democracy, The Ocean and Polar Affairs

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Aherlow House Hotel Tipperary, Ireland October 30, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Well, Martin, thank – I’m really incredibly touched, moved, very, very grateful, and hope and pray that there is no way possible that the glen of Aherlow and its beauty will remain a secret anywhere. (Laughter.) Really, you are blessed here in so many ways – blessed by your people. I thank you for your eloquence, I thank you for the honor of this award, which I accept really o...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Germany , Iraq , Ireland , Japan , Korea, North , Libya , Nigeria , South Africa , Syria , United Kingdom , United States , Vietnam

Topics: Energy, Global Health, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance, Science, Technology, and Innovation

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Hilton Chicago Hotel Chicago, Illinois October 26, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Well, good evening, everybody. And thank you, very, very much to Ivo Daalder. Thank you, sir, Mr. Ambassador. And thanks to the Chicago Council for Global Affairs for inviting me here. And a profound thank you to Ambassador Lou Susman for his very generous introduction. And most importantly, Marge and Lou, thank you for many, many years of extraordinary friendship. I really value it. And I thin...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Canada , China, Iran , Israel , Japan , Korea, North , Nigeria , Russia , Rwanda , Saudi Arabia , Somalia , Syria , United Kingdom , United States , Vietnam

Topics: Arms Control and Nonproliferation, Climate and Environment, Countering Terrorism, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Energy, Global Health, Human Rights and Democracy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance, Science, Technology, and Innovation, The Ocean and Polar Affairs

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Chicago, Illinois October 26, 2016 MODERATOR: It is an honor to welcome a Secretary of State to the University of Chicago. It is part of the mission of the Institute of Politics to facilitate these kinds of opportunities for you to interact with practitioners and leaders, and so we’re really pleased on that account. But I – our other mission is somewhat larger than that, which is: We live in a somewhat dispirited time in our politics. I don’t know ...

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Regions: Afghanistan, China, France , Georgia , Germany , Iran , Iraq , Israel , Japan , Korea, North , Lebanon , Nigeria , Philippines , Qatar , Russia , Saudi Arabia , Somalia , Syria , Turkey , United Kingdom , United States , Vietnam , Yemen

Topics: Arms Control and Nonproliferation, Climate and Environment, Countering Terrorism, Energy, Global Health, Human Rights and Democracy, Science, Technology, and Innovation, The Ocean and Polar Affairs, Treaties and International Agreements

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Fisher Stevens, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Piers Sellers UN Headquarters New York City October 20, 2016 MR STEVENS: Thank you all for coming this evening. It’s quite an honor to screen in this incredible place. Thank you, Secretary-General, again. So you guys got to know these two gentlemen to my – these three gentlemen to my left at the film – during the film tonight: Piers Sellers, NASA-Goddard Space Institute; Secretary of State John Kerry, legend &...

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Regions: Argentina, China, India , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Climate and Environment, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Energy, Global Health, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Treaties and International Agreements

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC October 11, 2016 The State Department is deeply committed to protecting and strengthening the rights of girls worldwide, and on this fifth annual International Day of the Girl, we recognize that addressing the distinct challenges facing girls, particularly adolescent girls, is critical to our ability to achieve U.S. foreign policy goals, including gender equality. Poverty, gender-based violence, a lack of education, and barriers to equal oppor...

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Regions: Honduras , Malawi , Tanzania , United States

Topics: Global Women's Issues, Science, Technology, and Innovation

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Treaty Room Washington, DC October 7, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Hey. Good – I mean, good morning. (Laughter.) My great pleasure to welcome Jean-Marc Ayrault to Washington, and I’m really very happy to have our French counterpart here with us. France, of course, the oldest alliance and relationship with the United States, and a great friend and partner in everything that we undertake, ranging from Iran nuclear agreements to Africa and unrest and terrorism, to...

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Regions: France , Iran , Russia , Syria

Topics: Countering Terrorism, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Treaties and International Agreements

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC October 7, 2016 On behalf of President Obama and the American people, I offer my best wishes to the people of Uganda as you celebrate the 54th anniversary of your nation’s independence. The friendship between our peoples is important to the United States. My government strongly supports your aspiration for further economic and social development and respect for human rights. The United States will continue to assist you in efforts to bui...

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Regions: Somalia , Uganda , United States

Topics: Human Rights and Democracy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC October 4, 2016 On behalf of President Obama and the American people, I congratulate the people of the Kingdom of Lesotho on the 50th anniversary of your nation’s independence. The United States deeply values its friendship with Lesotho. Together, our two nations have worked hard to promote economic progress, strengthen democratic institutions, and turn the tide in the fight against HIV/AIDS. In 2016, Lesotho became the first country in ...

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Regions: Lesotho , United States

Topics: Global Health

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Harman Center of Arts Washington, DC September 29, 2016 MR CLEMONS: Thank you. So let’s get to Syria stuff. I hear a rumor – I don’t know if it’s true – that Vladimir Putin and Sergey Lavrov are huddled around a screen right now in one corner of the world watching us, and I hear Lindsey Graham and John McCain are near another. And so I’d like to ask you, what would you like to communicate to the world and to those parties about Sy...

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Regions: Afghanistan, China, Iran , Israel , Jordan , Russia , Rwanda , Syria , United Kingdom , United States , Vietnam

Topics: Climate and Environment, Countering Terrorism, Energy, Global Health, Human Rights and Democracy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance, Science, Technology, and Innovation

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State 92nd Street Y New York City, NY September 18, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: What a great welcome. Thank you all. How are you? Everybody good? That’s a lousy answer. How are you? (Applause.) Thank you. QUESTION: That was a rock star welcome. SECRETARY KERRY: You’re the rock star. Thank you. Happy to be here. I can’t see over this thing. QUESTION: I’m very lucky to spend the next 20 minutes asking Secretary Kerry questions about American leadership, an...

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Regions: Afghanistan, China, Colombia , France , Germany , Iran , Iraq , Japan , Norway , Russia , Saudi Arabia , Syria , Ukraine , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Climate and Environment, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Global Health, Human Rights and Democracy, Science, Technology, and Innovation, The Ocean and Polar Affairs

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC September 16, 2016 MR HELLMAN: Hello. Thanks very much. Welcome, everyone. It’s wonderful to see such an enthusiastic crowd. Let me welcome Secretary Kerry, Adrian Grenier. Thank you for joining us today as part of the first ever Our Ocean, One Future Leadership Summit. We’ve got a limited time. I’ve got a pack of questions that you’ve already given me in advance, but I’d like to just get things started by asking the Secr...

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Regions: Chile, China, Estonia , France , South Africa , Thailand , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Climate and Environment, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Energy, Global Health, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance, Science, Technology, and Innovation, The Ocean and Polar Affairs

Photos from China» Photos from Bangladesh and India» Photos from Kenya, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia and Switzerland» Secretary of State John Kerry traveled to Nairobi, Kenya, on August 22 to meet with President Kenyatta to discuss regional security issues and counterterrorism cooperation, as well as bilateral issues. Secretary Kerry also met with Kenyan Foreign Minister Amina Mohamed and other regional foreign ministers to discuss key challenges in East Africa, including the prospects for re...

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Regions: Bangladesh , China, India , Kenya , Saudi Arabia , Sudan , Syria , Ukraine , United Kingdom , United States , Yemen

Topics: Climate and Environment, Countering Terrorism, Human Rights and Democracy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance, Science, Technology, and Innovation

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State New Delhi, India August 31, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Swati, good morning. Thank you very, very much. Thank you very – you guys all deserve an award for being able to get here today. (Laughter.) I don’t know if you came in boats or amphibious vehicles of some kind, but I salute you for being here. Thank you very, very much for making the effort, and I am extremely honored to be here. Swati, thank you for that generous introduction. And thank you, Dr. Rao. It...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Bangladesh , China, France , India , Japan , Jordan , Pakistan , Philippines , Russia , Syria , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Climate and Environment, Countering Terrorism, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Energy, Global Health, Human Rights and Democracy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance, Science, Technology, and Innovation, The Ocean and Polar Affairs

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Sultan's Palace Sokoto, Nigeria August 23, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you so much. Thank you. Asalaam Alaikum . Thank you very much. Maryam, thank you very, very much. Good morning everybody. Good morning to all of you – your Excellency Governor Tambuwal; your Excellency Governor Yari; your Eminence, Sultan, who was very, very kind to host us here today and whose leadership I particularly appreciate with respect to all of the interfaith efforts, which are so ...

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Regions: Benin , Chad , France , Nigeria , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Countering Terrorism, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Energy, Global Women's Issues, Human Rights and Democracy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance, Science, Technology, and Innovation

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Rosa Kempinski Hotel Nairobi, Kenya August 22, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you, sir. Thank you. Thank you, Mshila. Thank you (inaudible). Thank you very, very much. What are these big boards on the back of the wall here? Can you explain those to me? Mshila? Who can explain that to me, these boards? PARTICIPANT: No microphone. (Laughter.) SECRETARY KERRY: No microphone? Powerful voice, though. PARTICIPANT: I can explain one of the boards. SECRETARY KERRY: One of the ...

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Regions: Burundi , Kenya , Somalia , Sudan , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Climate and Environment, Countering Terrorism, Energy, Global Health, Human Rights and Democracy, Science, Technology, and Innovation

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Rosa Kempinski Hotel Nairobi, Kenya August 22, 2016 FOREIGN MINISTER MOHAMED: I am delighted to welcome Secretary John Kerry back to Nairobi, and for a second visit in the last, I think, one year. The last time you were here was in May. SECRETARY KERRY: Yes. FOREIGN MINISTER MOHAMED: Yes, so thank you very, very much for coming back. I think it’s a pure reflection of where our relationship is, and which is growing and growing very, very, I think, in a very hea...

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Regions: Iran , Kenya , Russia , Somalia , Sudan , Syria , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Climate and Environment, Countering Terrorism, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Energy, Global Health, Human Rights and Democracy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Washington Passport Agency Washington, DC July 12, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you. Thank you, Michele, very, very much. (Applause.) Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Michele, thank you very, very much. Today is also an education for me. You have no idea how many times I drive by here. I had no idea – (laughter) – we had this brilliantly beautiful office over here in this building, so it’s – you’re broadening my horizons even today. I go...

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Regions: China, Cyprus , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Countering Terrorism, Science, Technology, and Innovation

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Ben Franklin Room Washington, DC June 30, 2016 AMBASSADOR COPPEDGE: Thank you, everyone, for being here today. That was quite a reception, and on behalf of the heroes and the Secretary, thank you for that. Just some brief notes on our program: The Secretary is going to make some remarks. We’re going to honor our wonderful heroes this year. We have nine heroes from eight countries. One of them will make some brief remarks and then I will do the closing. And aft...

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Regions: Cambodia , Cyprus , Dominican Republic , Moldova , Nigeria , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Countering Terrorism, Human Rights and Democracy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC June 27, 2016 On behalf of President Obama and the American people, I congratulate the people of Djibouti on the anniversary of your independence on June 27. Djibouti is a lynchpin of security and stability in the Horn of Africa. You are a first responder in times of need, and have shown great leadership by contributing troops to AMISOM in Somalia and providing generous support to refugees fleeing violence in Yemen. The United States values ou...

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Regions: Djibouti , Somalia , United States

Topics: Human Rights and Democracy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Stanford University Memorial Auditorium Stanford, California June 23, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY:  Thank you so much.  You’re the best.  I love you.  You are terrific. Thank you so much.  Thank you.  (Cheers.)  Patricia, thank you.  Thank you so much.  Good morning, everybody.  Are you all energized?  (Cheers.)  I saw that video.  I thought I’d quit as Secretary and become an entrepreneur immedia...

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Regions: United Kingdom , United States , Vietnam

Topics: Climate and Environment, Countering Terrorism, Energy, Global Health, Science, Technology, and Innovation, The Ocean and Polar Affairs

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Oslo, Norway June 15, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Well, good morning, everybody. Borge, thank you so much for a very generous introduction. More importantly, thank you for a wonderful welcome back to Norway and to this pretty idyllic and appropriate setting for the discussions that you all are engaged in, and that I’m privileged to take part in this morning. I really want to begin by thanking Borge. And I am looking around and seeing so many faces – Espen, oth...

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Regions: Colombia , Iran , Libya , Norway , Russia , Tunisia , United Kingdom , United States , Vietnam

Topics: Climate and Environment, Countering Terrorism, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Energy, Global Health, Human Rights and Democracy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance, Science, Technology, and Innovation, The Ocean and Polar Affairs

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Secretary of the Treasury Jacob J. Lew, Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang, and Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi Great Hall of the People Beijing, China June 7, 2016 MODERATOR: Distinguished guests, friends from the media, good afternoon. Welcome to the closing ceremony and press conference of the eighth S&ED. Today we have the pleasure of having with us the four special representatives. First let us invite special representative of President Xi, Vice Premier Wan...

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Regions: Afghanistan, China, Iran , Korea, North , Philippines , Sudan , Syria , Taiwan , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Arms Control and Nonproliferation, Climate and Environment, Countering Terrorism, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Energy, Global Health, Human Rights and Democracy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance, Science, Technology, and Innovation

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State UN General Assembly Hall New York City June 2, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you. Thank you very, very much. I accept the nomination. (Laughter and applause.) What an absolutely extraordinary place to have a graduation, any graduation, but especially this one. Director Camblin, thank you for your very generous introduction. I’m glad you gave the short version. (Laughter.) And thank you, Mr. Deputy Secretary General Jan Eliasson, an old friend and a terrific figh...

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Regions: China, Dominican Republic , Iran , Nepal , United Kingdom , United States , Vietnam

Topics: Climate and Environment, Energy, Global Health, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance, Science, Technology, and Innovation

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC May 27, 2016 On behalf of President Obama and the American people, I congratulate the people of Ethiopia as you celebrate your national day on May 28. Ethiopia has faced enormous challenges this year, but has continued to demonstrate leadership on development in Africa. While confronting the worst drought in 50 years, you have continued to fight poverty while, at the same time, hosting nearly three quarters of a million refugees from nearby co...

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Regions: Ethiopia

Topics: Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC May 20, 2016 On behalf of President Obama and the American people, I congratulate the people of Cameroon as you celebrate your national day on May 20. Since independence, Cameroon has earned a reputation as a peaceful and welcoming nation, and as a lynchpin of regional stability. The United States is proud to be a partner with you in your effort to build prosperity through improved infrastructure and a more diversified economy. We are also ple...

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Regions: Cameroon , United States

Topics: Climate and Environment, Countering Terrorism, Global Health, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance, The Ocean and Polar Affairs

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Oxford, United Kingdom May 11, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: (Applause.) Wow. I think I’m just going to stop right now. (Laughter.) Thank you for just an incredibly warm, tremendous welcome to this historic hall. It’s a great honor for me to be here. Bob, where’d you run off to? Where did he go? Thank you so much for your welcome. And Warden MacMillan, thank you very much. I appreciate it. (Inaudible) Baroness Cathy Ashton, my good friend, thank you so muc...

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Regions: Afghanistan, China, Cuba , France , Guatemala , Iran , Iraq , Jordan , Lebanon , Niger , Nigeria , Russia , Saudi Arabia , Syria , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Arms Control and Nonproliferation, Climate and Environment, Countering Terrorism, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Energy, Global Health, Human Rights and Democracy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance, Science, Technology, and Innovation, The Ocean and Polar Affairs

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State U.S. Mission Geneva, Switzerland May 2, 2016 AMBASSADOR HAMAMOTO: Secretary, it’s so great to have you back here in Geneva. After coming here numerous times over the last couple years, it’s now been about nine months since your last visit, and I will say we were starting to worry that we weren’t your favorite post anymore. (Laughter.) So thank you very much for coming back to Geneva to dispel that notion once and for all. We like being your favorit...

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Regions: China, Iran , Kenya , Korea, North , Korea, South , Libya , Russia , Saudi Arabia , Somalia , Switzerland , Syria , United Kingdom

Topics: Arms Control and Nonproliferation, Countering Terrorism, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Energy, Human Rights and Democracy, The Ocean and Polar Affairs

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC April 27, 2016 On behalf of President Obama and the American people, I congratulate the people of the Republic of South Africa as you celebrate Freedom Day, the twenty-second anniversary of your democracy. Today, South Africa is a regional leader, a country with an increasingly important global role, and a valued friend and partner to the United States. Our two countries share the goals of creating broad-based prosperity and opportunity, of su...

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Regions: South Africa

Topics: Climate and Environment, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Energy, Human Rights and Democracy

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Rice University Houston, Texas April 26, 2016 MR LEEBRON: Good evening, and welcome to this wonderful venue at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music. We are thrilled to be hosting such a remarkable event tonight and thankful to Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy for making it possible. We are very grateful to Secretary Kerry for choosing the Baker Institute for his address this evening, and we welcome him warmly to Rice University. ...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Antarctica, China, France , Germany , Iran , Iraq , Mexico , Saudi Arabia , Syria , Tunisia , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Climate and Environment, Countering Terrorism, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Energy, Global Health, Global Women's Issues, Human Rights and Democracy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance, Science, Technology, and Innovation, The Ocean and Polar Affairs, Treaties and International Agreements

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC April 14, 2016 For a tech moment, that was an inauspicious beginning. (Laughter.) Cathy, thank you very, very much. Thank you all for being here. I think anybody who knows Cathy Novelli knows that she was quickly recognized by Steve Jobs, who hired her on the spot, as the shiniest apple on the tree – no pun. But he hired her, frankly, because it takes a visionary to know a visionary, and he knew immediately that she brought some special qualitie...

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Regions: Kenya , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Global Health, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance, Science, Technology, and Innovation, The Ocean and Polar Affairs

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Miami, FL April 14, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you. Wow, thank you so much. Thank you for a very, very generous welcome. Eric, thank you for an absolutely splendid, terrific introduction. I am enormously appreciative for it. And I have to tell you, the four of you were just absolutely spectacular. Congratulations to you. It’s just really wonderful. (Applause.) I was listening to Eric’s introduction and he told me beforehand in back here that he kind of ...

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Regions: Colombia , Cuba , South Africa , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Climate and Environment, Countering Terrorism, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Energy, Global Health, Human Rights and Democracy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance, Science, Technology, and Innovation

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Grand Hyatt Hotel New York City April 5, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY:   Mike, thank you very, very much.  Thanks, more importantly, for your extraordinary leadership over the years.  I think everybody here knows that Mike Bloomberg has been a pioneer on so many different things, critical issues, and concepts – a great business person and entrepreneur of extraordinary capacity.  And he has proven his leadership qualities many times, both ...

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Regions: Brazil , China, India , Jersey , United Arab Emirates , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Climate and Environment, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Energy, Global Health, Science, Technology, and Innovation, The Ocean and Polar Affairs

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State The Kremlin Moscow, Russia March 24, 2016 MODERATOR: (Via interpreter) Distinguished colleagues, we are beginning the press conference of the ministers of foreign affairs here of the Russian Federation and the U.S. FOREIGN MINISTER LAVROV: (Via interpreter) Ladies and gentlemen, today the State – the Secretary of State of the U.S. have had a day of negotiations in the Russian capital. First, we had a long meeting in the ministry of foreign affairs, and now, th...

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Regions: Germany , Iran , Iraq , Jordan , Korea, North , Liberia , Libya , Russia , Syria , Ukraine , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Combating Drugs and Crime, Countering Terrorism, Energy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Treaties and International Agreements

Interview John Kerry Secretary of State Hotel Nacional Havana, Cuba March 22, 2016 QUESTION: Good morning. SECRETARY KERRY: Good morning. QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, these attacks in Brussels are sending shockwaves across the world. What can you tell Americans this morning? Are we safe? SECRETARY KERRY: Well, we’re constantly vigilant. We work as hard as humanly possible to make everybody safe. Regrettably, if one person decides they want to kill themselves and they want to blow themselves up around ...

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Regions: Colombia , Cuba , France , Germany , Iran , Iraq , South Africa , United States

Topics: Arms Control and Nonproliferation, Countering Terrorism, Human Rights and Democracy

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC March 4, 2016 On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I want to convey our best wishes to the people of Ghana on the celebration of the Republic’s 59th anniversary of independence on March 6. Ghana and the United States are strong partners, and we share the ideals of democracy, human rights, educational opportunity, free enterprise, peace, and stability. Our longstanding partnership is also based on our mutual i...

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Regions: Ghana , United States

Topics: Human Rights and Democracy

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Treaty Room Washington, DC March 2, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: So welcome, everybody. I am really pleased to be able to welcome the president of the Central African Republic, President Samba-Panza. She is one of three female presidents on the continent of Africa and has presided over a remarkable transition during very, very difficult times in the Central African Republic. She is known as the mother of the Central African Republic because she’s really presided over...

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Regions: United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Global Women's Issues, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance, Treaties and International Agreements

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Treaty Room Washington, DC February 18, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Well, good afternoon, everybody. It’s my genuine pleasure to welcome my friend Salaheddine Mezouar, the foreign minister of Morocco, here. He and I have met at any number of international conferences, but most importantly, I had the wonderful pleasure of being a couple of times his guest and His Majesty’s guest in Morocco, and I’m very grateful for the extraordinary, very generous welcom...

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Regions: Libya , Morocco , United States , Western Sahara

Topics: Climate and Environment, Countering Terrorism, Global Health, Human Rights and Democracy, Treaties and International Agreements

Press Availability John Kerry Secretary of State Ministry of Foreign Affairs Beijing, China January 27, 2016 MODERATOR: (Via interpreter) Friends from the press, good afternoon. The foreign ministers of China and the United States have just had an in-depth and substantive discussion, and now, they are ready to meet the press. Now, Foreign Minister Wang will first make a statement. FOREIGN MINISTER WANG: (Via interpreter) Friends from the press, we’re sorry to have kept you waiting, and even if you...

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Regions: Afghanistan, China, France , Iran , Korea, North , Taiwan , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Arms Control and Nonproliferation, Climate and Environment, Countering Terrorism, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Energy, Global Health, Human Rights and Democracy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance, The Ocean and Polar Affairs

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Davos, Switzerland January 22, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Klaus, thank you very, very much. Hello, everybody. Good morning to you. Klaus, first of all, thank you for your very warm, generous introduction. I especially want to thank you for your superb leadership of the World Economic Forum for many years. As you’ve said, it’s been my honor to come here. This may have been the hardest trip of all. I was looking up at the mountain, fresh snow, and I saw those b...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Chad , China, Cuba , France , India , Iran , Iraq , Japan , Korea, North , Korea, South , Libya , Niger , Nigeria , Norway , Somalia , Switzerland , Syria , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Climate and Environment, Countering Terrorism, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Energy, Global Health, Human Rights and Democracy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance, Science, Technology, and Innovation

Interview John Kerry Secretary of State Davos, Switzerland January 21, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Well, listen, everybody. Greetings and thank you for your patience while we’re here, obviously. There’s a lot of bilateral diplomacy, trilateral even, that’s going on. I met this morning with Prime Minister Sharif and President Ghani and the Vice President. I also met one-on-one and otherwise with Prime Minister Netanyahu. And last night we met with President – the Vice President and I me...

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Regions: Burundi , Cambodia , China, Colombia , France , Iran , Iraq , Israel , Korea, North , Saudi Arabia , Switzerland , Syria , Ukraine , United Kingdom , United States , Yemen

Topics: Countering Terrorism, Energy, Human Rights and Democracy, Science, Technology, and Innovation, The Ocean and Polar Affairs

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC January 8, 2016 The peaceful conduct and high turnout in the first round of presidential and parliamentary elections in the Central African Republic are clear signs that Central Africans seek a new beginning for their country, and a future based on democratic governance and free from the violence and instability that have plagued the country for far too long. We commend all Central Africans who, with support from international forces, ensured ...

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Regions: United States

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC January 7, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Happy New Year. QUESTION: Happy New Year. SECRETARY KERRY: How are you all doing? Nice to see you all. Thank you very much. So I really just – I wanted to drop by this afternoon not to steal any of John’s thunder, if that’s even possible, by taking questions. There will be plenty of time for that, believe me, over the course of the next few weeks and beyond that. But I wanted to share with you a coupl...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Argentina, China, Iran , Korea, North , Mexico , Saudi Arabia , Syria , Turkey , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Arms Control and Nonproliferation, Climate and Environment, Countering Terrorism, Global Health, Human Rights and Democracy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance, Treaties and International Agreements

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 11, 2015 On behalf of President Obama and the citizens of the United States, I congratulate the people of Kenya as you mark the 52nd anniversary of your nation’s independence on December 12. Last May, I had the privilege of visiting Kenya, where I found a population rich in culture, strengthened by diversity, dedicated to democratic principles, and eager to expand prosperity and promote stability and peace for its own families a...

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Regions: Kenya , United States

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Paris, France December 9, 2015 SECRETARY KERRY: Good morning, everybody. I want to say thank you to my friend Ramtane for his leadership and for Algeria’s leadership with respect to the mediation in Mali, where they successfully managed to get an agreement and are working still to reduce the tensions. And also we’ve been particularly engaged on the subject of Libya, and today we’ll talk at length about that because we have a meeting in Rome coming ...

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Regions: Algeria , France , Syria

Topics: Climate and Environment, Global Health

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Westin Paris, France December 8, 2015 SECRETARY KERRY: (Applause.) Well, Tim, thank you. Thank you very much. Bonjour , all of you. Welcome to yet another spectacularly organized and important event from the UN Foundation. And Ted, thank you for this masterful idea that has produced so much in such a short period of time, although Tim may not think 15 year at the helm is a short period of time. But I thank you, Tim, for your tremendous leadership through the years a...

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Regions: Antarctica, Chile, China, France , Norway , Philippines , South Africa , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Climate and Environment, Energy, Global Health, Science, Technology, and Innovation, The Ocean and Polar Affairs

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 1, 2015 On behalf of President Obama and the citizens of the United States, I congratulate the people of the Central African Republic on the occasion of your country’s national day celebration. America values its friendship with the Central African Republic and we wish you well as you strive to strengthen your democratic institutions, end violence, heal internal divisions, and create a firm foundation for economic development an...

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Regions: United States

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 1, 2015 I congratulate the people of Burkina Faso on holding peaceful and orderly presidential and legislative elections this week. Over the past two years the Burkinabe people have repeatedly demonstrated their strong commitment to democracy in the face of adversity, and shown that legitimate leadership requires public accountability. I further congratulate President-elect Roch Marc Christian Kabore, who will be the first new leader ...

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Regions: Burkina Faso , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Human Rights and Democracy

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Treaty Room Washington, DC November 18, 2015 FOREIGN MINISTER CHIKOTI: It was so liberating, our 40th independence – you know Brazil is -- SECRETARY KERRY: I know, I know. FOREIGN MINISTER CHIKOTI: -- the first country that recognized Angola. SECRETARY KERRY: I do know. FOREIGN MINISTER CHIKOTI: So we had a very long conversation there. SECRETARY KERRY: My great pleasure to welcome my friend, the foreign minister of Angola, Georges Chikoti, and to celebrate wi...

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Regions: Angola , Brazil , France , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Climate and Environment, Countering Terrorism, Global Health, Human Rights and Democracy, Treaties and International Agreements

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Nazarbayev University Astana, Kazakhstan November 2, 2015 SECRETARY KERRY: (In Kazakh.) (Applause.) I’m working at it, folks. (Laughter.) Thank you very, very much, President Katsu. Thank you. As all of you know, President Katsu had a very long and very distinguished career at the World Bank, and I was not at all surprised to learn that he had been working very hard to create economic opportunities for the next generation now of Central Asian leaders. So he is...

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Regions: Afghanistan, China, India , Iran , Iraq , Kazakhstan , Korea, South , Russia , South Africa , Tajikistan , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Climate and Environment, Countering Terrorism, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Energy, Global Health, Human Rights and Democracy, Science, Technology, and Innovation

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Loy Henderson Auditorium Washington, DC October 20, 2015 SECRETARY KERRY: Drew, thank you very, very much. Good morning everybody. Welcome to the State Department. And Drew, thanks so much for not just great leadership, but for years of friendship. Drew was really the surrogate senator for the state of Massachusetts for a period of time. He was my director up there in the state and did an absolutely magnificent job. John, Jeremy, Andrea, thank you so much for being ...

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Regions: Canada , China, Germany , Spain , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Climate and Environment, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Energy, Global Health, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance, Science, Technology, and Innovation, The Ocean and Polar Affairs

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Bloomington, Indiana October 15, 2015 SECRETARY KERRY:   Thank you very much.  I accept the nomination.  (Laughter.)  You have twice welcomed me by standing up, and I am deeply appreciative.  I will caution you all to remind you that Winston Churchill once said that the only reason people give a standing ovation is they desperately need an excuse to shift their underwear.  (Laughter.)  I know you had a much more noble concept in mi...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Canada , China, Colombia , Cuba , Iran , Iraq , Israel , Kuwait , Russia , Saudi Arabia , South Africa , Syria , United Kingdom , United States , West Bank

Topics: Climate and Environment, Countering Terrorism, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Energy, Global Health, Human Rights and Democracy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance, Science, Technology, and Innovation, The Ocean and Polar Affairs

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Charles Hotel Cambridge, Massachusetts October 13, 2015 MR ALLISON: So thank you very much. Apologies for a short delay, but it’s a great honor to welcome to Harvard tonight our Secretary of State, and I’m Graham Allison, the Director of the Belfer Center. I would say we have not seen the Secretary of State exhibit such energy and determination in bringing home an agreement like the Iranian nuclear agreement. So the real purpose for me tonight is to, wit...

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Regions: Afghanistan, China, Denmark , Egypt , Ethiopia , Iran , Iraq , Israel , Jordan , Korea, North , Lebanon , Libya , Oman , Peru , Russia , Sudan , Syria , Turkey , Uganda , Ukraine , United Kingdom , United States , Venezuela , Vietnam

Topics: Climate and Environment, Combating Drugs and Crime, Countering Terrorism, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Energy, Global Health, Human Rights and Democracy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance, Science, Technology, and Innovation, The Ocean and Polar Affairs, Treaties and International Agreements

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC October 12, 2015 On behalf of President Obama and the citizens of the United States, I send best wishes to the people ofEquatorial Guinea on your Independence Day. The United States and Equatorial Guinea continue to have strong and fruitful economic ties. We are committed to our work together to improve health and basic education. We look forward to continued cooperation between our two countries, especially towards our shared goal of keeping ...

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Regions: Equatorial Guinea , Guinea , United States

Topics: The Ocean and Polar Affairs

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC October 9, 2015 On behalf of President Obama and the citizens of the United States, I am delighted to congratulate the government and people of Uganda as you celebrate the 53 rd year of your country’s independence on October 9. The United States values the longstanding friendship between our countries and looks forward to continuing to work closely with you in a host of areas of mutual concern. These include economic growth, bilateral tr...

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Regions: Uganda , United States

Topics: Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Global Health, Human Rights and Democracy

Op-Ed John Kerry Secretary of State AllAfrica October 6, 2015 Last May, I shared in an extraordinary moment. I had the privilege, together with many leaders from across Africa, of bearing witness to the first peaceful, democratic transition of power between two parties in Nigeria. I traveled to Lagos earlier this year to emphasize that for the United States, Nigeria is an increasingly important strategic partner with a critical role to play in the security and prosperity of the region. I also said that ...

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Regions: Burkina Faso , Guinea , Nigeria , Panama , Sri Lanka , Tanzania , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Global Health, Human Rights and Democracy

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC October 5, 2015 SECRETARY KERRY: A warm welcome and hello to all of you participating in Concordia’s fifth annual summit. I’m very sorry that I wasn’t able to be with you in person today, but I very much want to thank Concordia and our terrific team at the State Department’s Office of Global Partnerships for their leadership in this effort. It’s obvious to all of you that we are gathering at a time and in a world that is ...

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Regions: China, Iran , Nigeria , United Kingdom

Topics: Climate and Environment, Countering Terrorism, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Energy, Global Health

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC October 2, 2015 On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I congratulate the people of Guinea as you commemorate 57 years of independence on October 2. The United State values the partnership with Guinea. We recognize the progress Guinea has made, especially in the fight against Ebola, and see the upcoming national elections as an opportunity to further strengthen Guinea’s commitment to an inclusive and peaceful d...

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Regions: Guinea

Topics: Global Health, Human Rights and Democracy

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Palace Hotel New York City October 1, 2015 SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you very much. (Applause.) Thank you all very, very much. I’m shying away from sports analogies after my – breaking my leg. I don’t think I can – I have to earn my respect back. (Laughter.) Thank you all for coming; particularly grateful, as Anne said, this is sort of the end of a whirlwind few days. I’m still here tomorrow and will be goin...

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Regions: Somalia , Sweden , Syria , United States

Topics: Countering Terrorism, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance

Photos from Trip» Secretary of State John Kerry traveled to Colombo, Sri Lanka, on May 1 for his first trip to the country and the first visit by a Secretary of State since 2005. In Colombo, he met government leaders, civil society members, and other representatives from the country’s diverse communities to hear and express U.S. support for their vision for a more peaceful, stable, and prosperous future for its people. Secretary Kerry also joined his hosts for the celebration of the Buddhist...

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Regions: Djibouti , France , Kenya , Somalia , Sri Lanka , United States

Topics: Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Human Rights and Democracy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 17, 2014 SECRETARY KERRY: Good afternoon, everybody. It’s a great pleasure for me to welcome Foreign Minister Chikoti of Angola to here in Washington, and very much appreciate the opportunity to reciprocate the foreign minister’s generous welcome to me when I was privileged to be in Angola last summer. We agreed that we would engage in a good dialogue on an ongoing basis, which has been absent from our relationship, frankly, for t...

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Regions: Angola , Cuba , France , Guinea , Israel , Russia , United Kingdom , United States , West Bank , Western Hemisphere

Topics: Climate and Environment, Countering Terrorism, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Energy, Global Health, Human Rights and Democracy, Science, Technology, and Innovation, The Ocean and Polar Affairs, Treaties and International Agreements

Op-Ed John Kerry Secretary of State Susan E. Rice, National Security Advisor The Washington Post December 15, 2014 In 2011, the world’s newest nation was born amid joyous celebrations. The international community welcomed South Sudan not just with cheers but also with promises of help. The hope and promise of that day are now at grave risk of being squandered if the nation’s leaders don’t at long last provide leadership. Violence that erupted in the capital city of Juba last December s...

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Regions: Sudan , United States

Topics: Global Health, Human Rights and Democracy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance

Op-Ed John Kerry Secretary of State USA Today December 8, 2014 Earlier this year, a 10-year-old boy was collecting scrap metal in Bosnia when he stepped on a land mine, which killed him instantly. The mine was planted during a war of which the boy had no memory. Days later, a man met a similar fate only a few miles away. He had left home to gather firewood. Land mines and other unexploded ordnance continue to endanger civilians in more than 60 countries . Decades after soldiers have laid down their weap...

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Regions: Honduras , Syria , Tunisia , United States

Topics: Countering Terrorism, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance, Treaties and International Agreements

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 4, 2014 On December 5 th , we mark one year since the passing of Nelson Mandela, a remarkable journey of life completed, but a legacy that still motivates all of us. You’d be hard pressed to find anyone who touched as many lives on a global basis as Nelson Mandela. He had a profound effect on my wife Teresa when she was a young girl in school in South Africa, and his example motivated her and her classmates to demonstrate on cam...

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Regions: United Kingdom

Topics: Global Health

Press Availability John Kerry Secretary of State Brussels, Belgium December 2, 2014 SECRETARY KERRY: Good afternoon, everybody. I appreciate the opportunity to be able to say a few words about the agenda here in Brussels today, and in fact, in Europe this week. Just three months ago in Wales, all 28 NATO allies made a series of very important commitments, including on assurance, defense spending, readiness, and partnerships. And our meeting this afternoon focused on taking stock of where we stand on the...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Belgium , France , Germany , Iran , Iraq , Israel , Lebanon , Pakistan , Russia , South Africa , Ukraine , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Energy, Global Health, Human Rights and Democracy

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 1, 2014 Central African Republic National Day Message On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I congratulate the people of the Central African Republic as you celebrate your independence on December 1. The United States is proud to stand with the courageous people of the Central African Republic. I commend all of you who are working to promote peace, advance the democratic transition, and promote national rec...

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Regions: United States

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Eisenhower Executive Office Building Washington, DC December 1, 2014 Susan, thank you.  Thank you for a wonderfully generous introduction and thank you most importantly for your extremely important comments this morning.  And I was really sitting there thinking, as I was listening to you, the thought was occurring to me as we think of the challenges that we face in today’s world, and you were talking about both the moral compulsion of doing this as w...

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Regions: United States

Topics: Combating Drugs and Crime, Global Health, Human Rights and Democracy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance, Science, Technology, and Innovation

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC November 28, 2014 On behalf of the American people, I send best wishes to the people of Mauritania on the 54 th anniversary of your independence on November 28. Mauritania and the United States have a strong partnership founded on shared interests for regional peace and security, and countering the spread of Ebola in West Africa. Last August, I hosted President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz in Washington at the U.S. – African Leaders Conferenc...

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Regions: Mali , Mauritania , United States

Topics: Countering Terrorism, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy

Press Availability John Kerry Secretary of State Chief of Mission Residence Paris, France November 5, 2014 SECRETARY KERRY: Well good evening, and thank you for being here. It’s a pleasure for me to be back in Paris on my way to the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Beijing. And in the meantime, I was able to have a number of important and constructive meetings here today, particularly with Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius of France and also with Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh of Jordan. I...

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Regions: China, France , Iran , Israel , Jordan , Monaco , Oman , Russia , Ukraine , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Climate and Environment, Countering Terrorism, Energy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance, Treaties and International Agreements

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Quai d'Orsay Paris, France November 5, 2014 FOREIGN MINISTER FABIUS: (In French.) SECRETARY KERRY: Merci . Thank you, Laurent. As Foreign Minister Fabius has just said to you, we had a broad discussion on all of the topics that he mentioned to you. We agree that we are living in very, very complicated times with enormous challenges, but we also believe that we are up to those challenges. And whether it is Ebola or ISIL, Syria, Iraq, the challenge of the nuclear prog...

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Regions: Afghanistan, France , Iran , United States

Topics: Countering Terrorism

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies Washington, DC November 4, 2014 SECRETARY KERRY: Well, thank you very much, Dean Nasr. I’ve had the privilege of knowing Vali for a while. When I was in the Senate, he was a very valuable advisor, and I can remember coming down to the State Department and meeting with him and with Richard Holbrooke and others in the early days of working on what was then called AfPak – Afghanistan, Pakistan, and part...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Burma , China, Hong Kong , India , Iran , Korea, North , Liberia , Pakistan , Peru , Philippines , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Climate and Environment, Countering Terrorism, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Energy, Global Health, Human Rights and Democracy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance, Science, Technology, and Innovation, The Ocean and Polar Affairs, Treaties and International Agreements

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Outer Office Washington, DC October 24, 2014 SECRETARY KERRY: It’s my enormous pleasure to welcome Sir Elton John here to the State Department. We met a few years ago when we were talking and I was still in the Senate about the challenge of PEPFAR and creating the next AIDS-free – the AIDS-free generation. I want to thank Sir Elton for his tremendous leadership almost from the beginning of the challenge of HIV/AIDS. And his foundation, the Elton John AID...

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Topics: Global Health

Press Availability John Kerry Secretary of State Berlin Wall Memorial Visitor's Center Berlin, Germany October 22, 2014 FOREIGN MINISTER STEINMEIER: (Via interpreter) Well, ladies and gentlemen, I’m delighted that so much have come, and we’re delighted to be able to welcome my American counterpart, the American Secretary of State. I would like to extend a very warm welcome to him. Well, I’m delighted that you have come to this press conference. We’re delighted to be able to welco...

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Regions: Argentina, Canada , China, Germany , Iran , Israel , Italy , Korea, North , Russia , Turkey , Ukraine , United Kingdom , United States , West Bank

Topics: Arms Control and Nonproliferation, Combating Drugs and Crime, Countering Terrorism, Energy, Global Health, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Benjamin Franklin Room Washington, DC October 17, 2014 Thank you, Nancy. Good morning, everybody. Thank you very much for being here, and thank you, Ambassador Powell, for all you’re doing to lead on this effort. I know that there’s no shortage of demands on all of your time, so we really do appreciate and I know President Obama appreciates your coming in here this morning for this very important briefing. And I’m particularly grateful to Nancy Pow...

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Regions: France , Germany , United Kingdom

Topics: Global Health, Science, Technology, and Innovation

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC October 9, 2014 On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I congratulate the people of Uganda as you celebrate 52 years of independence. Your government is an important partner in the fight against terrorism. We greatly appreciate Uganda’s efforts to address the threat posed by the Lord’s Resistance Army and your vital contribution to the African Union Mission in Somalia.   East Africa looks to Uganda f...

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Regions: Uganda , United States

Topics: Countering Terrorism, Human Rights and Democracy

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Treaty Room Washington, DC October 8, 2014 SECRETARY KERRY: Good morning, everybody. I’m very privileged to be here welcoming Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond to the State Department, and I’m even more privileged to work with him and to form a partnership that gives full gusto to the meaning of the special relationship that Great Britain and the United States share. So it is important for us to be continuing – I think we – Philip mentioned to...

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Regions: France , Iraq , Liberia , Russia , Sierra Leone , Syria , Turkey , Ukraine , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Climate and Environment, Countering Terrorism, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Energy, Global Health, Human Rights and Democracy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Treaties and International Agreements

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC September 30, 2014 On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I send best wishes to the people of Botswana as you celebrate 48 years of independence on September 30. The United States and Botswana are natural partners. Ours is a relationship built on the shared values of democracy, justice, equality, and the fundamental rights of all people. Together we are taking our partnership to the next level by investing in Botswan...

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Regions: Botswana , United States

Topics: Climate and Environment, Global Health, Human Rights and Democracy

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Department of the Treasury Washington, DC September 26, 2014 Sylvia, thank you very much. I couldn’t hear a word out there so I was entirely presumptuous and said, “That must be me.” (Laughter.) Thank you. I’m delighted to be here with all of you and appreciate Sylvia’s leadership on this and I think she summed it up best the other day when she said that there isn’t a Democrat way or a Republican way to solve Ebola. And obviously,...

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Regions: Canada , China, France , Guinea , Japan , Nigeria , Turkey , United Kingdom

Topics: Global Health, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State UN Headquarters New York City September 25, 2014 I apologize for coming in late and probably leaving early. Am I correct? I am correct. I apologize. I just mentioned to the Secretary-General the extraordinary pace of UNGA, but this is special and I wanted to be part of it, and it’s a great honor for me to be able to share in what is literally an historic event. Brooker, thank you. I don’t know how he does it, Brooker -- he’s at everything, this guy...

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Regions: Brazil , Chile, Colombia , El Salvador , South Africa , United States

Topics: Human Rights and Democracy

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State UN Headquarters New York City September 25, 2014 Well, thank you very much. Thank you for a generous introduction. Mr. Deputy Secretary General, thank you for your leadership and thank you for your important words here today. And thank you to the many activists out here, those of you who are championing this effort on the frontlines. We certainly welcome Victoria Beckham. Thank you for taking this on. And I want to note that my old friend and our leader, Eric Goosby...

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Regions: Ethiopia , Ghana , Namibia , Switzerland , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Global Health, Science, Technology, and Innovation

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Ronald Reagan Building Washington, DC September 19, 2014 SECRETARY KERRY: (Applause.) Thank you very much. Eliot, thank you very, very much. I accept the nomination. (Laughter.) It’s wonderful to be here. I give you a lot of credit, Eliot. As someone who represents New York’s 16th District, as someone from the Bronx, thank you very much for not mentioning that the Boston Red Sox are 26 games out of first place. (Laughter.) As I had the privilege of servi...

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Regions: Ethiopia , Iraq , Solomon Islands , Sudan , Syria , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Climate and Environment, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Energy, Global Health, Global Women's Issues, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Treaties and International Agreements

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC September 15, 2014 I am pleased to announce that we are resuming operations at our embassy in Bangui. The people and leaders of the Central African Republic have made progress in ending the violence and putting their nation on a path toward peace and stability. But we all know that much work remains to be done. That’s why I asked David Brown to serve as Chargé d’Affaires and to work closely with the transitional government, ...

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Regions: France , United States

Topics: Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ankara, Turkey September 12, 2014 FOREIGN MINISTER CAVUSOGLU: (In Turkish.) Ladies and gentlemen, it is a privilege to have my dear friend and colleague in Ankara. This is third meeting, it’s going to the third meeting of us after Wales and Jeddah. And we have spoken on the phone several times again. And you know the issues that you can imagine on what issues we are going to focus during the meetings, particularly what’s going...

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Regions: Iraq , Libya , Mali , Syria , Turkey , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Countering Terrorism

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC August 17, 2014 We extend our deepest condolences to Mrs. Doris Todman and her family as they mourn the loss of their husband and father, Ambassador Terence A. Todman, who passed away on August 13. In a distinguished, trailblazing, and celebrated career that spanned nearly 50 years, Terence was one of the very few Foreign Service Officers to attain the rank of Career Ambassador in the Department of State, and the first African American to do s...

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Regions: Argentina, Chad , Western Hemisphere

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC August 14, 2014 On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I would like to extend congratulations to the people of the Republic of the Congo as you commemorate 54 years of independence on August 15. We enjoy a close friendship with the Republic of the Congo, working with government officials, private sector leaders, and a broad spectrum of Congolese civil society to strengthen democratic institutions, improve regional se...

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Topics: Climate and Environment, Human Rights and Democracy