Secretary Remarks

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 Cambridge, Massachusetts January 9, 2017 SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you very much for a generous welcome to somebody who is about to become one of the most visibly unemployed people in America. (Laughter.) I am really thrilled to be here. Great, always, to be home, but it’s special to be here at MIT. And I want to begin by thanking Dean Schmittlein. Thank you very, very much. It&...

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Regions: Antarctica, Brazil , Chile, China, India , New Zealand , Saudi Arabia , 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, Treaties and International Agreements

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 The Dean Acheson Auditorium Washington, DC December 28, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you very, very much. Thank you. (Coughs.) Excuse me. Thank you for your patience, all of you. For those of you who celebrated Christmas, I hope you had a wonderful Christmas. Happy Chanukah. And to everybody here, I know it’s the middle of a holiday week. I understand. (Laughter.) But I wish you all a very, very productive and Happy New Year. Tod...

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Regions: Egypt , France , Iran , Israel , Jordan , Saudi Arabia , United Kingdom , United States , West Bank

Topics: Countering Terrorism, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance, Science, Technology, and Innovation, The Ocean and Polar Affairs

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State The Willard Hotel Washington, DC December 4, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you very much. That’s really wonderful. Thank you. MR INDYK: Haim is going to unveil a plaque that we made for you for the occasion. MR SABAN: I’m the unveiler-in-chief. (Laughter.) Okay, so I was told -- SECRETARY KERRY: Wow. MR SABAN: I was told to read. Who paid for this? Brookings or me? (Laughter.) It looks really expensive, doesn’t it? (Laughter.) But you know what? Ther...

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Regions: Egypt , France , Germany , Iran , Israel , Japan , Jordan , Kuwait , Libya , Pakistan , Philippines , Russia , Saudi Arabia , Syria , Taiwan , Turkey , United Kingdom , United States , West Bank , Yemen

Topics: Energy, Human Rights and Democracy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance, Science, Technology, and Innovation

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Chatham House London, United Kingdom October 31, 2016 MR NIBLETT: Welcome to Chatham House, excellencies, lords, ladies, and gentlemen, and welcome also to this 2016 Chatham House Prize ceremony. We’re delighted that so many of our members are here with us today; also supporters, guests, thank you very much for making the time. Our Chatham House Council members, our Panel of Senior Advisors, our Second Century Committee, representative of U.K. Government, oppo...

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Regions: Afghanistan, China, France , Iran , Ireland , Israel , Qatar , Russia , Saudi Arabia , Syria , 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 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 Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker, Indian Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj, and Indian Minister of Commerce Nirmala Sitharaman Jawaharlal Nehru Bhawan Building New Dehli, India August 30, 2016 MINISTER SWARAJ: Secretary of State Mr. John Kerry, Secretary of Commerce Ms. Penny Pritzker, my colleague Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, co-chairs of India-U.S. CEO Forum Mr. Cyrus Mistry and Mr. Dave Cote, distinguished (inaudible). I’m delighted to welcome ...

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Regions: Afghanistan, China, India , Japan , United States

Topics: Climate and Environment, Countering Terrorism, 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 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 Washington, DC July 14, 2016 (As Delivered) SECRETARY KERRY: Hello and welcome, everybody. I’m very sorry that I couldn’t be with you in person today, but I’m super pleased to have a chance nonetheless to just share a few thoughts with you. I know that when you read the headlines or browse through posts on Facebook or Twitter and reflect on the many different threats that we’re facing in the world today, it can be difficult to imagine that ou...

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Regions: Iran , Korea, North , United States

Topics: Arms Control and Nonproliferation, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Treaties and International Agreements

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Bankova Kyiv, Ukraine July 7, 2016 PRESIDENT POROSHENKO: (Via interpreter) Dear Mr. State Secretary, dear John, dear ladies and gentlemen, I am sincerely pleased to welcome you to Ukraine. For me and for all Ukrainians, for the whole world, this visit is a reflection of mighty support that the United States has been providing at the very crucial stage of development of our country. This visit is deeply symbolic and we are very pleased that you have come, Mr. State S...

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Regions: China, France , Germany , Italy , Korea, North , Russia , Ukraine , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Arms Control and Nonproliferation, Climate and Environment, Energy, Human Rights and Democracy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance

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

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 New York City April 22, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY:   Mr. Secretary General, Monsieur le President de la France , Your Excellencies, friends and partners in this significant endeavor: It’s an enormous privilege to be here on Earth Day to join in signing this historic agreement. I was a young organizer and speaker, not so long back from Vietnam, on the first Earth Day in 1970.  And I was a young senator and advocate in Rio in 1992 when we held the first Ear...

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Regions: France , 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 Press Briefing Room Washington, DC April 13, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Good afternoon, everybody. Thanks for being here. I’m going to make a statement and I have to run from here to an NSC meeting on a number of issues, so forgive me if I dash out of here. I’m not trying to avoid you, but Tom will take some questions and I think John’s going to come to the podium and he’ll make some statements. I know there’s some events that you’re c...

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Regions: Sri Lanka , Syria , United Kingdom , United States , Vietnam

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

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Omni Hotel Los Angeles, CA April 12, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Mickey, thank you very, very much. I remember you when you were six foot four and blond, and I’m not sure what you are now, but we all get cut down to size in this business. (Laughter.) I have to tell you all, first of all, what a great privilege it is to be here with the Pacific Council. I have great respect for, admiration for your commitment to all things international, and it’s a privilege fo...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Armenia , Australia , Bahrain , Brazil , Canada , China, Colombia , India , Iran , Italy , Jordan , Korea, North , Libya , New Zealand , Russia , Saudi Arabia , Singapore , United Kingdom , United States , Yemen

Topics: Climate and Environment, Countering Terrorism, 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 Char Chinar Palace Kabul, Afghanistan April 9, 2016 MODERATOR: Honorable Secretary of State Mr. John Kerry, Excellency Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani, distinguished ministers, and ladies and gentlemen: Good afternoon, and welcome to the third bilateral commission meeting. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is delighted to be your host. May I at the outset invite His Excellency the Foreign Minister to deliver his remarks. FOREIGN MINISTER RABBANI: Thank you. The ho...

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Regions: Afghanistan, United States

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

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Nigerian Foreign Minister Geoffrey Onyeama Washington, DC March 30, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY:   Well, good afternoon and hello, and welcome to the Treaty Room of the State Department.  We don’t have a treaty to sign today, but we’re delighted to be here.  I’m really pleased to be joined by my colleague Geoffrey Onyeama, and very happy to welcome his distinguished delegation here today.  The importance of today, which is a full day&r...

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Regions: Nigeria , Tunisia , United Kingdom , United States

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

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC March 9, 2016 On the anniversary today of Robert Levinson’s disappearance from Kish Island, Iran, nine years ago, I want to underscore our commitment to locate Bob and bring him home. For almost a decade, a beloved husband, brother, father, and grandfather has been kept from celebrating family milestones most take for granted. No one should have to endure what Mr. Levinson and his family have endured for so long. As the President has sai...

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Regions: Iran , United States

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 Sartaj Aziz, Pakistani Advisor on Foreign Affairs Washington, DC February 29, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Well, welcome to the State Department. Welcome to the Ben Franklin Room. We’re delighted to have you all here for a very important dialogue in an important relationship. And Sartaj, thank you so much for coming here today to take part in the U.S.-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue, and I’m grateful for the level of expertise that is represented here. We expect to...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Canada , China, India , Pakistan , Russia , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Arms Control and Nonproliferation, Countering Terrorism, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Energy, Human Rights and Democracy, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Treaties and International Agreements

Press Availability John Kerry Secretary of State Amman, Jordan February 21, 2016 FOREIGN MINISTER JUDEH: (Via interpreter) So, allow me to welcome the U.S. Secretary of State, Mr. John Kerry. He is an intimate friend, and I would like to stress that we are jointly keen on to maintain these consultation and communication relationships, especially with respect to the joint challenges that we are facing in this country and across the world. This consultation comes within the historical – solid histor...

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Regions: Iran , Iraq , Jordan , Russia , Syria , United Kingdom , United States

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

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Bayerischer Hof Hotel Munich, Germany February 13, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you, Wolfgang. Thank you very much. Well, Wolfgang, thank you for reminding me that everything I’m doing now is a last. (Laughter.) It’s a little – depending on what I decide to do, so maybe not. (Laughter.) I am really happy to be back in Munich and I’m very happy to share thoughts with this, the 52nd edition of the Security Conference. And I think if you all thin...

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Regions: Afghanistan, China, France , Germany , India , Iran , Iraq , Jordan , Lebanon , Norway , Qatar , Russia , Saudi Arabia , Syria , Turkey , Ukraine , United Kingdom , United States

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

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Ministry of Foreign Affairs Rome, Italy February 2, 2016 MODERATOR: (Via interpreter) Good afternoon. Welcome to our press conference of the ministerial summit of the small group of the Global Coalition to Counter Daesh. Minister Gentiloni and Secretary of State Kerry will make some brief statements, and then you’ll have a chance to ask some questions. Minister Gentiloni, you have the floor. FOREIGN MINISTER GENTILONI: (Via interpreter) Good afternoon, everyon...

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Regions: Afghanistan, France , Iran , Iraq , Italy , Libya , Norway , Pakistan , Russia , Syria , Turkey , United Kingdom

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

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State State Department Washington, DC January 31, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: For almost five years, the world has watched in horror as Syria has disintegrated into a brutal conflict, killing hundreds of thousands and displacing millions both within and outside the country. Syria today is an unfolding humanitarian catastrophe, unmatched since World War II. In recent months, a new and broad-based diplomatic initiative was launched, for the first time involving all of the key cou...

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Regions: Syria

Topics: Countering Terrorism, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Quebec, Canada January 29, 2016 MODERATOR: (In French.) Thank you very much. Minister of Foreign Affairs Stephane Dion will now make a statement. FOREIGN MINISTER DION: Merci , Madam . Bonjour, mesdames et messieurs. Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Buenas tardes, senoras y senores. (In French.) (In English) My hometown, my – (in Spanish). We have had important productive discussions today, and I will insist on – I think I have -- six points. But we...

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Regions: Burkina Faso , Canada , France , Haiti , Iraq , Italy , Jordan , Lebanon , Libya , Mexico , Netherlands , Syria , United Kingdom , United States

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

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State The Washington Post Headquarters Washington, DC January 28, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you, and good morning everybody. And weeks ago – and I did receive the invitation to come here weeks before we knew whether or not Jason would be able to be released, and the others – I really looked forward to being here for this celebration, special celebration of the opening of the building and the moving of The Washington Post . But obviously, this is particularly...

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Regions: Cambodia , China, Iran , Russia , Syria , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Countering Terrorism, Science, Technology, and Innovation

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

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State National Defense University Washington, DC January 13, 2016 Thank you. Good morning. Thank you. Thank you very much, Major General Padilla. Thank you, all of you. It’s a great privilege for me to be able to be here today. I’m delighted to be in the presence of so many people currently serving our nation, all with great distinction. And it’s a privilege to be at NDU. I’m also honored that the Secretary of the Air Force Debbie James is here. Th...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Bulgaria , China, Colombia , Cuba , Greece , Iran , Iraq , Libya , Philippines , Russia , Saudi Arabia , Syria , United Kingdom , United States

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

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 28, 2015 We commend the Government of Iraq and the brave Iraqi forces that are displaying tremendous perseverance and courage in this fight to return the capital of Anbar province back to the Iraqi people. The Iraqi military is fighting with determination, courage, and skill to dislodge the enemy and bring closer the day when the city can be returned to families who have fled the terror of ISIL. The United States and the Global Coalit...

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Regions: Iraq , Syria , United States

Topics: Countering Terrorism

Press Availability John Kerry Secretary of State New York, NY December 18, 2015 SECRETARY KERRY: Well, good evening, everybody. Thank you very much for coming. First of all, I want to express again my appreciation and the appreciation of all of the P5 members of the International Syria Support Group who worked through the day, and I appreciate Foreign Minister Lavrov’s engagement and his commitment to trying to get to a place that everybody could be comfortable. What we’ve achieved today is ...

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Regions: France , Iran , Iraq , Jordan , Syria , United Kingdom

Topics: Countering Terrorism, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State New York, NY December 18, 2015 SECRETARY KERRY: Mr. Secretary-General, Special Envoy de Mistura, distinguished colleagues, I want to begin by thanking the other P4 members who joined together to help fashion this resolution and who spent time this morning working with our colleagues in order to bring us here this afternoon, plus our non-P4 member, Germany, for whom we are very grateful for their participation also. I want to thank all the members of the council for ...

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Regions: Syria , United States

Topics: Countering Terrorism, Energy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance

Interview John Kerry Secretary of State Spaso House Moscow, Russia December 15, 2015 QUESTION: Secretary of State Kerry, thank you so much to you for finding a gap in your so busy – very busy schedule. I should stress to our viewers that we’re talking in between encounter with Lavrov and before he meets Mr. Putin with whom you may or may not come to an agreement. So let’s start with reviewing certain things this last year and a half. SECRETARY KERRY: Sure. QUESTION: We all remember Pre...

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Regions: Iran , Libya , Russia , Syria , Ukraine , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Climate and Environment, Countering Terrorism, Energy, Global Health, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance

Press Availability John Kerry Secretary of State The Kremlin Moscow, Russia December 15, 2015 FOREIGN MINISTER LAVROV: (Via interpreter) Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Today, we had a big negotiating day with John Kerry and his delegation finalizing their working visit to Moscow. We started with negotiations at Russian foreign ministry and we continued here in the Kremlin during the meeting with President Putin. Negotiations in the morning and in the evening were concrete, specific. We were focusin...

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Regions: France , Iran , Jordan , Russia , Saudi Arabia , Syria , Ukraine , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Countering Terrorism, Energy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Ministry of Foreign Affairs Moscow, Russia December 15, 2015 SECRETARY KERRY: Sergey, thank you very much for arranging this meeting and thank you for your welcome here in Moscow. I agree completely with the agenda you’ve set out. I think it’s the agenda we’ve discussed previously. And I think today is an important day for us to try to make further progress on a number of these issues. In the meeting in New York between our presidents, both Preside...

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Regions: Iran , Russia , Syria , Ukraine , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Countering Terrorism

Interview John Kerry Secretary of State Paris, France December 12, 2015 (Begin clip.) PRESIDENT OBAMA: I believe this moment can be a turning point for the world. We’ve shown that the world has both the will and the ability to take on this challenge. (End clip.) QUESTION: That was President Obama last night, on the climate change deal struck in Paris yesterday. The agreement aims to keep the increase in global temperatures well below 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit by the end of the century. It also aims t...

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Regions: France , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Climate and Environment, Countering Terrorism, Energy, Global Health, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Treaties and International Agreements

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Paris, France December 12, 2015 SECRETARY KERRY: Well, first of all, thank you all for tremendous patience over a complicated week with a lot of obviously private meetings, and we’re very appreciative for your steady reporting on this. For a long time we have known that climate change is real, that it’s happening now, and that unless we come together as global community – because no one country can solve the problem – we’re not going to...

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Regions: China, France , Indonesia , Iran , Philippines , United Kingdom , United States

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

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Le Bourget Paris, France December 12, 2015 SECRETARY KERRY: Monsieur le President Hollande, Mr. Secretary-General, and my friend, Laurent Fabius, president of COP, let me begin by simply saying: Laurent, you have done a superb job, as everybody has said, exercising critical multilateral stewardship here, and everybody is very grateful for your leadership. This is a tremendous victory for all of our citizens – not for any one country or any one bloc, but for ev...

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Regions: France , United States

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

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Paris, France December 9, 2015 MR FRIEDMAN: It’s a treat for us to have you here this morning. We really appreciate your taking time. SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you. MR FRIEDMAN: And I want to dive right in. Are we going to get a deal here in Paris, and why will it be important? SECRETARY KERRY: Well, look, I hope we do. We’ll see a new text around noon today, and then we’ll be able to begin to measure where the potential derailers really are, or aren&...

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Regions: China, Egypt , France , Germany , India , Iran , Iraq , Qatar , Russia , Saudi Arabia , Syria , Tunisia , Turkey , United Kingdom , United States

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

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Le Bourget Paris, France December 9, 2015 SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you, Todd, extraordinarily for those more than generous words. I really, really appreciate them. I might have loved it if you found a less menacing notion than a ballistic missile. (Laughter.) But I appreciate it. At least it gets the job done. Ambassador Hartley, really nice to have you here, and Gina McCarthy, who is the head of our Environmental Protection Agency, thank you very, very much for being...

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Regions: Chile, China, France , India , Kenya , Korea, North , Libya , United States

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

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Le Bourget Paris, France December 8, 2015 SECRETARY KERRY: Well, thank you very much. Good afternoon everybody and thank you all for being here and participating. And the fact that you are here already makes a statement about the choices that you’re making. I want to begin by thanking Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for his terrific and important leadership on climate change, and I think all of us are extremely grateful to him, to the United Nations, for their l...

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Regions: France , United Kingdom , United States

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

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

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Le Bourget Paris, France December 8, 2015 SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you very much, all. Let me just say, first of all, the secretary-general and I talked about where we are in the negotiations and the steps that we need to take in the next three days to be successful. He has been working diligently with a lot of the delegations, and we appreciate his leadership enormously, and he made some suggestions for some things that we are already focused on and trying to resolve...

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Regions: France , Syria , United States

Topics: Climate and Environment, Global Health

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Petit Palais Paris, France December 7, 2015 MR FREEDMAN: I’ll give you the big chair rather than the awkward sort of lounge couch – exactly. Welcome. Thank you for making time to do this on what is a very busy schedule in Paris. So I’ll get right to it, the first question: How does the United States define success in a COP21 agreement? SECRETARY KERRY: Well, success is getting an ambitious agreement that is durable, that has transparency and accoun...

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Regions: China, France , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Climate and Environment, Energy, Science, Technology, and Innovation

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Willard Hotel Washington, DC December 5, 2015 SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you all very, very much. Thank you, Bruce, for a very generous introduction. And thank you, ladies and gentlemen; I apologize that we are starting a few moments late. I’m delighted to be here, distinguished members of Congress. Steny and Nita I know are here, and Jolie Ruben, my former colleague and longtime friend, and I think Bogie Ya’alon is out there somewhere. And Bogie, good to se...

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Regions: China, France , Germany , Iran , Iraq , Israel , Jordan , Lebanon , Libya , Russia , Syria , Tunisia , United Kingdom , United States , West Bank , 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

Press Availability John Kerry Secretary of State Ministry of Foreign Affairs Athens, Greece December 4, 2015 FOREIGN MINISTER KOTZIAS: (Via interpreter) Good morning. I would like to welcome dear U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, with whom we’ve been working very closely, and I know that there are traditional friendship ties that join the two countries. I would like to welcome him and hope to see him again in the future, because he is a man who loves sailing, who really loves the sea, and the Gr...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Bulgaria , Cyprus , France , Georgia , Greece , Iran , Russia , Saudi Arabia , Syria , Turkey , United Kingdom , United States

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

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Nicosia, Cyprus December 3, 2015 SECRETARY KERRY: Well, good evening, everybody. Let me begin by saying how very pleased I am to be here in Cyprus. I have closely followed the challenges on this island for literally decades, 28-plus years in the United States Senate while on the Foreign Relations Committee, and you couldn’t help but be engaged in the challenge of Cyprus. And it has been a priority for me and for President Obama – for President Obama befo...

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Regions: Cyprus , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Energy

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 2, 2015 Teresa and I want to express our profound sadness at the passing of Samuel “Sandy” Berger, former National Security Adviser to President Clinton and – during the Carter Administration -- deputy director of Policy Planning at the State Department. For more than four decades, in both the public and private sectors, Sandy occupied a central position in the formulation and implementation of U.S. foreign policy. H...

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Topics: Arms Control and Nonproliferation, Countering Terrorism, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy

Press Availability John Kerry Secretary of State Brussels, Belgium December 2, 2015 SECRETARY KERRY: Well, good morning, everybody. It’s a pleasure to be back in Brussels and I’m delighted to be here with Secretary-General Stoltenberg and all of my colleagues from across NATO, where, once again, we have come together to affirm our common defense commitment, to affirm our commitment to the solidarity of the alliance, and also to the goal of a Europe that is whole and free and at peace. Today,...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Belgium , China, India , Iran , Iraq , Jordan , Lebanon , Russia , Syria , Turkey , 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

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC November 23, 2015 I congratulate the people of Argentina on holding successful second-round Presidential elections on November 22 , which reflects Argentina’s strong democratic values. The United States and Argentina are long-standing partners, and we look forward to working closely with President-designate Mauricio Macri and his government. We are confident that the United States and Argentina will continue to work closely to promote re...

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Regions: Argentina, United States

Topics: Arms Control and Nonproliferation, Human Rights and Democracy, Science, Technology, and Innovation

Interview John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC November 23, 2015 QUESTION: Secretary of State John Kerry is with us exclusively from Abu Dhabi. Mr. Secretary, good morning, and let me ask you about the security situation here in the United States. Administration officials have said there’s no specific credible threat. On the other hand, officials in Paris likely would have said the same thing the day before those attacks. How confident are you in assuring the American public that there isn...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Syria , United States

Topics: Countering Terrorism, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC November 19, 2015 SECRETARY KERRY: So we had a very constructive and I think helpful dialogue with ideas flowing both ways. Let me just state here what I said in there which is not classified, and that is that we have a three-pronged strategy with respect to Syria, Iraq, Daesh, and the region. One is to degrade and defeat Daesh. That has been our approach from the beginning. Number two, to stabilize the region, and we&rsquo...

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Regions: Syria , United Kingdom

Topics: Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Dean Acheson Auditorium Washington, DC November 18, 2015 Well, Bill, thank you very, very much. Good morning to everybody. Thank you all for taking time to be here. Thank you for, Bill, your – not just the introduction, but for your outstanding leadership of the Diplomatic Security Service. And I want to thank Schlehr from Raytheon and from my home state, and the 34 member organizations of OSAC for your tremendous contributions at a moment where the reality of...

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Regions: France , Iran , Iraq , Russia , Syria , Turkey , United Kingdom , United States

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

Interview John Kerry Secretary of State Chief of Mission's Residence Paris, France November 17, 2015 QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, thank you for taking the time. SECRETARY KERRY: Happy to be with you. QUESTION: President Vladimir Putin of Russia this morning said that it was a terrorist attack that took down this Russian jet over the Sinai Peninsula. They are vowing retribution. Has the U.S. come to the same conclusion? SECRETARY KERRY: We concur that there was an explosion that brought it down, but we haven...

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Regions: France , Iraq , Russia , Syria , Turkey , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Countering Terrorism, Energy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance

Interview John Kerry Secretary of State Chief of Mission's Residence Paris, France November 17, 2015 QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, welcome to the program. SECRETARY KERRY: Delighted to be with you. QUESTION: Can you first confirm for us news of one of the terrorists suspected in this attack, Abdelhamid Abboud? There are reports that the United States, France, and other allies wanted to target him, sought to kill him in Syria; he is apparently a top-level Belgian citizen ISIS member. SECRETARY KERRY: Well, I ...

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Regions: France , Iran , Iraq , Libya , Russia , Syria , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Countering Terrorism

Interview John Kerry Secretary of State Paris, France November 17, 2015 QUESTION: (Via interpreter) Good evening, Secretary Kerry. Thanks for this. What message would you like to convey to the French people after this ordeal? I know you speak our language. You – 9/11, the French were saying that we are all Americans. Would you say today that we are all French? SECRETARY KERRY: (In French.) QUESTION: (Via interpreter) How can the U.S. help France more in the fight against terrorism? Are you ready, ...

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Regions: Afghanistan, France , Iran , Iraq , Russia , Syria , United Kingdom

Topics: Countering Terrorism, Energy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance

Interview John Kerry Secretary of State Chief of Mission's Residence Paris, France November 17, 2015 QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, again, thank you for doing this with us. Last Friday, you were quoted as saying that ISIS – or you call it Daesh – you were quoting saying its days are numbered. President Obama recently has said it’s been contained, at least geographically. Just a couple of hours after you said that, 129 people were killed by ISIS here in Paris. Don’t you think that we ne...

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Regions: Belgium , France , Iran , Iraq , Russia , Syria , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Countering Terrorism, Energy, Treaties and International Agreements

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Chief of Mission's Residence Paris, France November 17, 2015 MR KIRBY: (In progress) minutes. The Secretary is not going to give any opening comments, and I’ll just ask you to be respectful of one another and we’ll try to get through as many questions as we can. SECRETARY KERRY: And I’ll suck on a lozenge if you don’t mind. QUESTION: Totally acceptable. QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, the French president, President Hollande, has now said he’s...

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Regions: France , Iran , Russia , Syria , United Kingdom

Topics: Countering Terrorism, Energy

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State U.S. Embassy Paris, France November 16, 2015 AMBASSADOR HARTLEY: Welcome, everybody. I am honored and privileged to introduce you to a true friend of France and a person who has been fighting for freedom and liberty all his life, our Secretary of State John Kerry. SECRETARY KERRY: I have said many times, as have all of my predecessors, that France is America’s oldest friend, our first ally. And during our darkest hours, that fact rings truer than ever. It was ...

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Regions: France , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Climate and Environment, Countering Terrorism

Interview John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC November 15, 2015 QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, a pleasure to have you. SECRETARY KERRY: Glad to be here, thank you. QUESTION: Let’s start with Syria, because you are heading for negotiations there. I should say that again. Let’s start with Syria, because you are going to be deeply involved in negotiations about Syria. You say in your recent speech that the President and you do not believe that there is a military solution to the Syrian probl...

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Regions: China, India , Indonesia , Iran , Iraq , Israel , Jordan , Libya , Russia , Syria , Turkey , United Kingdom , United States , Vietnam

Topics: Climate and Environment, Energy, Global Health, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance, Treaties and International Agreements

Press Availability John Kerry Secretary of State Vienna, Austria November 14, 2015 SECRETARY KERRY: (In French.) I’ll just say what I said, the last part, in English. I want to make sure that it is absolutely crystal clear that the United States stands with France and the rest of the world in our resolve to eliminate the scourge of violent extremist groups from the face of the Earth. And make no mistake: that resolve has only grown stronger in the wake of this unspeakable brutality. And I think Se...

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Regions: Austria , China, Egypt , France , Iran , Iraq , Italy , Jordan , Russia , Saudi Arabia , Syria , Turkey , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Countering Terrorism, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Energy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Ministry of Foreign Affairs Vienna, Austria November 14, 2015 SECRETARY KERRY: We talked, first of all, about the events in Paris, which follow on events in Beirut and events in Iraq. And we are in absolute and total agreement that these kinds of attacks are the most vile, horrendous, outrageous, unacceptable acts on the planet; that under any category – we don’t know who did it, but they are acts of terror. So we are witnessing a kind of medieval and mo...

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Regions: Austria , France , Iraq

Topics: Countering Terrorism

Press Availability John Kerry Secretary of State Ministry of Foreign Affairs Tunis, Tunisia November 13, 2015 FOREIGN MINISTER BACCOUCHE: (Via interpreter) (Inaudible) of the Strategic Dialogue, as it provides support to the partnership. And as (inaudible) if we take into the account the challenges (inaudible) security (inaudible) economically and socially (inaudible) a strong relationship between the security situation and the economic situation, any terrorist attacks will simply have an impact on the ...

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Regions: France , Iraq , Italy , Libya , Syria , Tunisia , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Countering Terrorism, Energy, Human Rights and Democracy, Science, Technology, and Innovation

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC November 12, 2015 The United States views today’s decision by the Baku Court of Appeals to transfer peace activist and historian Arif Yunus from prison to house arrest on humanitarian grounds as a positive step. We hope the Azerbaijani government will give similar consideration to other prisoners reportedly facing severe health challenges.

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Regions: United States

Topics: Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC November 12, 2015 SECRETARY KERRY: Nancy, thank you very, very much. I apologize for being a couple minutes late over here. And I’m delighted to see a lot of friends and pleased that all of you could come here, share some thoughts this afternoon. It’s great for me to be here, and I want to thank the United States Institute of Peace for hosting all of us here this afternoon. I have to tell you I’m used to flying long distances to deli...

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Regions: China, Colombia , Cuba , France , Iran , Iraq , Italy , Jordan , Lebanon , Russia , Saudi Arabia , 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

Interview John Kerry Secretary of State Norfolk, VA November 10, 2015 QUESTION: Right now at WNIS we welcome Secretary of State John Kerry to our microphones. Good morning, Secretary Kerry. How are you today, sir? SECRETARY KERRY: Good morning, Tony. I’m doing fine, thank you. How are you? QUESTION: Outstanding, and a pleasure to have you here in Norfolk on this Marine Corps birthday and tomorrow Veterans Day. I would imagine you’ve been to Norfolk before? SECRETARY KERRY: I have. I have ind...

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

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

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State USS San Antonio Norfolk, Virginia November 10, 2015 SECRETARY KERRY: Well, Brigadier General-select Gering, thank you very much for your welcome. Captain Patterson, thanks so much for welcoming me aboard the San Antonio . Admiral Tidd – Admiral Tidd has just been selected to be SOUTHCOM commander. He’s been working with me now over the last year as the representative of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and I’m honored to have him here with me. And Admira...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Iraq , Syria , United Kingdom , United States

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Old Dominion University Norfolk, VA November 10, 2015 SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you very, very much. Thank you. Thank you so much. Good morning, Old Dominion University. Or what are we now? Yeah, it’s still morning. (Laughter.) I am really delighted to be with you today and I very much appreciate the warm welcome. Let me just say right at the top that the work that ODU is doing with respect to sea level rise and climate change is work that every university should...

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Regions: Afghanistan, China, Greenland , Iraq , Russia , Syria , United Kingdom , United States , Vietnam

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

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Treaty Room Washington, DC November 9, 2015 SECRETARY KERRY: Good afternoon, everybody. Thank you for spending a minute with us. I am really delighted to be able to welcome Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom Philip Hammond, who has welcomed me now many times in London. It seems we have a lot more meetings in Europe. But most importantly, we share incredibly close efforts together, as we always have, really, on almost every subject that confronts countries in th...

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Regions: China, Iran , Russia , Syria , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Climate and Environment, Global Health, Treaties and International Agreements

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC November 8, 2015 The United States congratulates the people of Burma on the November 8 election and commends all of the people and institutions in the country who worked together to hold a peaceful and historic poll. Millions of people from around the country, many of whom were voting for the first time, seized this opportunity to move one step closer to a democracy that respects the rights of all--a testament to the courage and sacrifice show...

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Regions: Burma , United States

Topics: Human Rights and Democracy

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC November 6, 2015 After a thorough review of the record, including extensive analysis conducted by the State Department, I have determined that the national interest of the United States would be best served by denying TransCanada a presidential permit for the Keystone XL pipeline. President Obama agrees with this determination and the eight federal agencies consulted under Executive Order 13337 have accepted it. Executive Order 13337 delegates...

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Regions: Canada , United States

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

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC November 5, 2015 On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I congratulate the people of the United Republic of Tanzania on their presidential and parliamentary elections, reaffirming Tanzania’s strong democratic record. As President John Pombe Magufuli and his administration assume their responsibilities, we look forward to continuing our close partnership and strengthening further ties between our two countries a...

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Regions: Tanzania , United States

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC November 4, 2015 Former Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin devoted his life to defending Israel. Today, on this solemn anniversary, we express our profound appreciation for his contribution to the cause of peace. And we honor his vision that would create a better future for both Israelis and the Palestinians: two states living side-by-side in peace and security. I will never forget standing in Rabin Square two years ago. Just meters from whe...

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Regions: Israel

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC November 3, 2015 On behalf of President Obama and the citizens of the United States, I congratulate the people of Panama as you begin Fiestas Patrias celebrations on November 3. Panama and the United States have a long, shared history of friendship and deep cultural ties. I commend President Varela for his leadership at the historic Seventh Summit of the Americas, held in Panama this past April. And I look forward next year to the opening of t...

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Regions: Panama , United States

Topics: Human Rights and Democracy

Interview John Kerry Secretary of State U.S. Ambassador's Residence Astana, Kazakhstan November 2, 2015 QUESTION: Hello, Mr. Secretary. It’s an honor and a privilege to (inaudible). SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you very much. QUESTION: Thank you (inaudible) for your time and to answer a few questions. (Inaudible) to our TV audience in the countries of Commonwealth of Independent States. We are speaking with you during your Central Asia visit within the framework of 5+1. What is the reason of this format...

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Regions: Afghanistan, China, Japan , Kazakhstan , Russia , Ukraine , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Countering Terrorism

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State U.S. Embassy Astana, Kazakhstan November 2, 2015 AMBASSADOR KROL: Mr. Secretary, on behalf of Mission Kazakhstan, which includes those – all of us here in Astana and, as you can see on the screen, this is our consulate general in Almaty. SECRETARY KERRY: Yay, Almaty. How are you? AMBASSADOR KROL: Half of them are up here supporting the visit, but again, we want to welcome you, or as we say in Kazakh, (speaks in Kazakh). And we really appreciate you taking all ...

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Regions: China, Jersey , Kazakhstan , Russia , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Climate and Environment, Energy, Human Rights and Democracy

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 Samarkand, Uzbekistan November 1, 2015 SECRETARY KERRY: Excuse me. Well, Mr. President, thank you. Thank you very much for your very generous welcome here to Uzbekistan and to Samarkand. It’s a great privilege for me to be here, and it is a magnificent city – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. So I already wish I had more time to be able to spend here. And as the world knows, Samarkand has long been a center of world events from the time of Alexander the Grea...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Uzbekistan

Topics: Climate and Environment, Countering Terrorism, Energy, Global Health

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan October 31, 2015 FOREIGN MINISTER ABDYLDAEV: (Via interpreter) Good evening, dear representatives of mass media. Negotiations between the State Secretary, Mr. John Kerry, with the president have finished. And before that we had bilateral negotiations. Immediately I would like to give the floor to our guest, Mr. Secretary of State of U.S., Mr. John Kerry, please. SECRETARY KERRY: Well, Mr. Foreign Minister Erlan, my friend, I thank you very much f...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Canada , China, Kyrgyzstan , Russia , Syria , 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

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State American University of Central Asia Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan October 31, 2015 SECRETARY KERRY: I did this once before. (Laughter.) Minister Sarieva, an outstanding graduate of this university, we’re really proud of her work. And President Wachtel, faculty, students, all of you here, everybody with their smartphone pointing at me today – (laughter) – I’ve never seen so much energy in two introducers as you have. You are amazing. I think I’ll ...

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Regions: Kazakhstan , Kyrgyzstan , Syria , Tajikistan , Tunisia , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Climate and Environment, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Energy, Global Women's Issues, Human Rights and Democracy, Science, Technology, and Innovation

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Grand Hotel Vienna, Austria October 30, 2015 SECRETARY KERRY: Well, good afternoon. I thank all of you for your patience today and appreciate your waiting around here so we had a moment to come and share some thoughts with you. I want to begin by thanking all of our foreign minister counterparts. Sergey Lavrov and I asked many people to come and many dropped things at the last minute. They changed their schedules and made themselves available. And we’re very g...

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Regions: Austria , Iran , Iraq , Russia , Syria , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Countering Terrorism, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC October 28, 2015 SECRETARY KERRY: (Applause.) Thank you very much. Thank you all very, very much. Bill, thanks so much for welcoming me to your new home, but thank you for remarkably generous comments. I’m very, really touched to hear them from somebody of Bill’s caliber, because as all of you know, he really was the State Department’s premier career diplomat par excellence to everybody’s standard. And now that you’ve bee...

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Regions: Afghanistan, China, France , India , Iran , Iraq , Israel , Jordan , Korea, North , Kuwait , Pakistan , Russia , Syria , Tunisia , Turkey , United Kingdom , United States , Vietnam

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, The Ocean and Polar Affairs

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Amman Marka Airport Amman, Jordan October 24, 2015 SECRETARY KERRY: So let me explain to everybody we apologize for the delay, but we were just ironing out some last details regarding the announcement that I’m going to make and the events as they will unfold over the course of today and tomorrow. And unfortunately, because of time we’re under great constraints on our pilots, who are operating under a crew rest restraint, so we will not be able to take qu...

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Regions: Israel , Jordan , Syria , United States

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

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC October 23, 2015 From his military service in the Balkans, Iraq, and Afghanistan, to building a coalition to confront ISIL, General John Allen has committed his life to service and to country. We worked closely together during his time as Senior Advisor to the Secretary of Defense, as we led discussions with Israel and the Palestinians to develop effective security options in the context of a two state solution. And over the past 13 months we&...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Iraq , Israel , United Kingdom

Topics: Countering Terrorism, Energy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Berlin, Germany October 22, 2015 PRIME MINISTER NETANYAHU: John, it’s good to see you again. I want to thank you and the United States for condemning the terrorist attacks against Israel, for standing up for Israel’s right of self-defense, and also for standing up for Israel in UNESCO. All of that is deeply appreciated. Yesterday was a tough day. We had four terrorist attacks. This morning began – we had an attack in which two terrorists tried to m...

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Regions: Germany , Israel , United States

Topics: Countering Terrorism, Human Rights and Democracy

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC October 21, 2015 I congratulate Prime Minister-designate Trudeau and the Liberal Party on their victory in Canada’s national election. I look forward to working closely with Prime Minister-designate Trudeau and his government to further enhance our close cooperation. I join the Administration in expressing our appreciation to Prime Minister Harper and the members of his government for their contributions to our bilateral relationship and...

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Regions: Canada , United States

Topics: Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State U.S. Navy Heritage Center Washington, DC October 21, 2015 Thank you very much for that. Ernie, thank you. Thank you for your warm introduction, but thank you most importantly for celebrating these 20 years and for your tremendous engagement. We sort of drafted Ernie late as we got into the really technical portions of the negotiation. And he – it proved to be one of the best draft choices we’ve ever made. (Laughter.) He performed extraordinarily, and the...

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Regions: China, Iran , Korea, North , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Arms Control and Nonproliferation, Energy, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Treaties and International Agreements

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Park Hyatt Washington Washington, DC October 20, 2015 SECRETARY KERRY: Well, I have to get back at some people now big time. (Laughter.) First of all, David and Foreign Policy , thank you so – I am so grateful for this and frankly overwhelmed by it. I don’t think I’ve ever sat somewhere and have somebody talk except maybe at the Democratic Convention, and we know that’s all politics, right? (Laughter.) But I’m really touched by it. Let ...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Burma , Colombia , Cuba , India , Iran , Iraq , Nigeria , Russia , Spain , Syria , Ukraine , 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

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 Treaty Room Washington, DC October 20, 2015 SECRETARY KERRY: Good afternoon, everybody. I’m sorry to keep you waiting, but (inaudible) special for me to be able to welcome Foreign Minister Borge Brende from Norway here to Washington, and to underscore that there really is no country that I can think of that does as much on so many issues as Norway. They are a NATO ally and partner of ours, but they are front and center on all of the critical issues of peace in...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Iraq , Israel , Norway , Ukraine , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Climate and Environment, Global Health, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance, Treaties and International Agreements

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Paris, France October 18, 2015 DIRECTOR-GENERAL BOKOVA : (In French.) As the fabric of human society seems increasingly under attack by forces that deny the existence of a shared heritage, forces that strike at the heart of our sense of community, I am convinced world heritage holds out a contrary and positive vision of human society and our human nature. So it is not just world heritage; UNESCO itself holds out a positive vision of human society against violent ext...

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Regions: Chile, China, France , Germany , Iran , Italy , Syria , United Kingdom , United States

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

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Milan, Italy October 17, 2015 SECRETARY KERRY: (Applause.) Foreign Minister Gentiloni, thank you very much. Mr. Prime Minister, Commissioner Sala, distinguished guests all: Vorrei cominciare congratulandomi il ministro degli esteri – (applause) – il governo italiano e gli italiani tutti per aver accolto una stupenda Expo a Milano. Grazie. (Applause.) L' Expo avvicina il mondo al fine, di volgere lo sguardo, sui temi quali la sicurezza alimentare e la...

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Regions: Italy , New Zealand , Syria , United Kingdom , United States

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

Op-Ed John Kerry Secretary of State Medium October 17, 2015 Earlier this week, I visited Indiana University, one of the finest public universities in America, to convey an important message about the United States of America, foreign policy, and about the difference that each of us can make in shaping a better world. Young people play a central role in advancing American interests, and creating an ever-stronger global community. So it was particularly important for me to talk to this group of young lead...

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Regions: Canada , China, Iran , Iraq , Russia , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Climate and Environment, Countering Terrorism, 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 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 Press Briefing Room Washington, DC October 14, 2015 SECRETARY KERRY: Well, today we present the department’s I nternational Religious Freedom Report for 2014 . And I particularly want to thank David Saperstein and his entire team for producing a report that reflects a vast amount of objective research and that will provide a uniquely valuable resource for anybody who cares about religious freedom in all of its aspects. And I am very grateful for David’s ...

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Regions: Iran , United Kingdom

Topics: Countering Terrorism, Energy, Human Rights and Democracy

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 Availability John Kerry Secretary of State Revere Hotel Boston, Massachusetts October 13, 2015 SECRETARY KERRY: Well, good afternoon. I’m delighted to welcome Secretary Carter and our friends from Australia, Foreign Minister Bishop and Defense Minister Payne. Julie and Marise, I’m really happy to have you here in Boston. We’ve been delighted to be able to give you a slight taste of this great city, which I have the privilege of calling home. And I think it’s been a very con...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Australia , China, India , Iran , Iraq , Israel , Philippines , Russia , Saudi Arabia , Syria , United Kingdom , United States , Vietnam

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

Op-Ed John Kerry Secretary of State Michael R. Bloomberg, U.N. Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Cities and Climate Change Bloomberg View October 8, 2015 When world leaders gather in Paris in December to negotiate a global agreement on climate change, they will have a powerful ally standing behind them and urging them onward: mayors. In fact, mayors have already helped set the stage for success in Paris, by establishing models of cooperation that provide a strong foundation for the negotiations. Thr...

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Regions: Australia , China

Topics: Climate and Environment, Energy, Global Health