Secretary Remarks

Photos from the trip» Secretary of State John Kerry traveled to Paris, France, on November 30 to join President Obama for the opening of COP-2 1 in Paris. He then traveled to Brussels, Belgium, on December 1 to take part in the December NATO Foreign Ministerial and associated meetings. On Dec 2, Secretary traveled to Pristina, Kosovo, where he met with senior government officials to discuss bilateral and regional issues. Then Secretary Kerry traveled to Belgrade, Serbia, to take part in the OSCE M...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

Regions: Canada , France , Italy , United Kingdom

Topics: Climate and Environment, Global Health, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance

Photos from the trip» Secretary of State John Kerry traveled to Tunis, Tunisia; Vienna, Austria; and Antalya, Turkey, from November 13 to November 17. While in Tunis, Secretary Kerry participated in the second U.S.-Tunisia Strategic Dialogue and met with a range of government officials and civil society leaders. In Vienna, Secretary Kerry held bilateral and multilateral meetings with foreign counterparts to discuss the ongoing crisis in Syria. The Secretary then traveled to Antalya to join Preside...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

Regions: France , Syria , Tunisia , United Kingdom , United States

July 5, 2012 to July 17, 2012 Travels With Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton Secretary Clinton traveled to France , Afghanistan , Japan , Mongolia , Vietnam , Laos, Cambodia , Egypt , and Israel departing Washington, DC on July 5. In Paris on July 6, Secretary Clinton attended the third meeting of the Friends of the Syrian People. At that meeting, the Secretary consulted with her colleagues on steps to increase pressure on the Assad regime and to support UN-Arab League Special Envoy Annan&r...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

Regions: Afghanistan, Cambodia , China, Egypt , France , Israel , Laos , Pakistan , Syria , United States

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...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

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

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC January 9, 2017 Throughout my career, including as Secretary of State, I have stood strongly in support of the LGBTI community, recognizing that respect for human rights must include respect for all individuals. LGBTI employees serve as proud members of the State Department and valued colleagues dedicated to the service of our country. For the past several years, the Department has pressed for the families of LGBTI officers to have the same pr...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

Topics: Human Rights and Democracy

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&...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

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...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

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 ...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

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...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

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

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 18, 2016 International Migrants Day is an opportunity to reflect upon the many ways that migrants enrich our cultures, economies, and societies. Like no other time in modern history, the world is on the move. In 2015, some 244 million people crossed national borders to seek jobs, join family, study, invest, and contribute to cutting-edge research. Migrants’ contributions to America are striking. More than 40 percent of our high-...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

Regions: United States

Topics: Human Rights and Democracy

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...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

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 Pukeahu National War Memorial Wellington, New Zealand November 13, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Mr. Ambassador, Mark, thank you very, very much. Thank you also for your tremendous linguistic display a little bit earlier. (Laughter.) I’m delighted to be here with all of you. Minister Brownlee and General Keating, thank you very much for honoring us by being here today, and to all of you parliamentarians, counselors, and distinguished guests all. It’s a great hon...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

Regions: Afghanistan, New Zealand , United Kingdom , United States , Vietnam

Topics: Human Rights and Democracy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance

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...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

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...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

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 Palo Alto, CA October 10, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Well, let me just say while these folks are here I’m really grateful to you all for taking the time to come over and say hello and share some thoughts this morning. Ever since Paris, I think the signal that we intended to send to the marketplace is being felt, and we’ve got about $358 billion invested in energy globally last year, in 2015 alone, which is a record level.[ 1 ] And clearly people are moving as...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

Topics: Energy

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Palace Hotel New York City September 23, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Well, colleagues, welcome and good afternoon. I’m delighted to have a chance to be able to catch up to everybody, and thank you all for being here. Our time is a little bit limited, as you know, and our agenda is, as always, fairly unlimited, pretty substantial, so I’m going to jump right in if I can. First of all, I want to thank Foreign Minister Anifah for co-hosting, and I particularly wan...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

Regions: China, Indonesia , Korea, North , Laos , United Kingdom , United States

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

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC September 15, 2016 As a committed advocate for the preservation of our marine environment, I applaud President Obama’s decision to designate the first marine national monument in the Atlantic Ocean. And having represented Massachusetts in the U.S. Senate for almost 30 years, I am pleased that he has done so in a manner that respects and supports the unique environment and industry of Massachusetts and New England. The Northeast Canyons a...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

Regions: United Kingdom , United States

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

Press Availability John Kerry Secretary of State Jawaharlal Nehru Bhawan Building New Delhi, India August 30, 2016 MINISTER SWARAJ: (In progress, via interpreter) … the finalization of which President Obama and Prime Minister Modi played key roles. We have agreed to scale our collaboration in clean energy and to quickly operationalize the various initiatives that were announced during Prime Minister’s visit to facilitate investment in this sector from U.S. into India. We look forward to wor...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

Regions: Afghanistan, France , Germany , India , Iraq , Japan , Pakistan , United Kingdom , United States

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

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 ...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

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 ...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

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 ...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

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 Manila, Philippines July 27, 2016 MS OPOSA: According to the Secretary John Kerry, the ocean is sort of in his DNA. He grew up with an affinity for the sea, first as a young boy in Massachusetts fishing and clamming, and then as an officer in the U.S. Navy. This passion for the blue world was evident when he was a U.S. senator. As chairman of the Senate Oceans and Fisheries Subcommittee, he oversaw the rewriting of fishery laws, the creation of the Stellwagen Bank S...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

Regions: Chile, Indonesia , Norway , Philippines , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Climate and Environment, Energy, Global Health, Global Women's Issues

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State National Convention Center Vientiane, Laos July 25, 2016 FOREIGN MINISTER WANG: Honorable John Kerry, Secretary of State of the United – Department of State of the United States of America, dear ASEAN colleagues, Secretary General of ASEAN, distinguished delegates, and ladies and gentlemen, I would like to express my warmest welcome on behalf of the Government of the Lao PDR to all honorable foreign ministers of Mekong countries and Secretary of State John Ker...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

Regions: Laos , Singapore , United States , Vietnam

Topics: Climate and Environment, Energy, Global Health

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...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

Regions: Iran , Korea, North , United States

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

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC July 10, 2016 On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I congratulate the people of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas on the 43rd anniversary of your independence. The Bahamas has shown remarkable leadership on many of today’s challenges. Your Vision 2040 National Development Plan will create a brighter and more inclusive future for all Bahamians. Your expansion of Marine Protected Areas will help ensure that our o...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

Regions: United States

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...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

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 HDMS Thetis Greenland June 17, 2016 FOREIGN MINISTER QUJAUKITSOQ: Good afternoon. I think it’s appropriate to have a brief presentation and introduction of what we are doing here. Welcome to this briefing and good afternoon to all of you. I am pleased to welcome Secretary John Kerry to Ilulissat, Greenland. Today, we are pleased of having you here with us here to present the challenges and what the climate change is affecting us and how it can affect the rest ...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

Regions: Canada , Denmark , Greenland , Norway , United Kingdom , United States

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

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Secretary of Treasury Jack Lew, Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang, and Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi Diaoyutai State Guesthouse Beijing, China June 7, 2016 VICE PREMIER WANG: (Via interpreter) Secretary Kerry (inaudible). (Inaudible) welcome to all of you. Welcome to this breakfast meeting. It is a feature of the S&ED program. We have this every year. I always believed that for us to participate in the S&ED, we need to stand high and also be down to earth...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

Regions: China, United States

Topics: Climate and Environment, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy

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...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

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...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

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 Washington, DC May 4, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Good afternoon, everybody. My apologies to all for our being a little bit late. We just ran a little bit behind, and Federica and I had an opportunity to have a meeting and unfortunately got interrupted even in that, but I appreciate everybody’s patience. I’m very, very honored to be joined by the United States co-chair, my colleague-in-mischief here, Ernie Moniz, and -- SECRETARY MONIZ: And worse. SECRETARY KE...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

Regions: Iran , Japan , Russia , Syria , Ukraine , 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 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...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

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

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...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

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...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

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...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

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...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

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...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

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 15, 2016 The United States congratulates Htin Kyaw on his election as Burma’s next president. The presidential election is another important step forward in Burma’s democratic transition, and we commend the people and institutions of Burma who continue to work together to ensure a peaceful transfer of power after the November 2015 elections. The United States remains committed to supporting the people of Burma in their ongoin...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

Regions: Burma , United States

Topics: Human Rights and Democracy

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...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

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...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

Regions: United Kingdom , United States

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

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC March 1, 2016 Good morning, everyone, and welcome to the State Department.  I’m really sorry that I couldn’t join you in person, but I am still very pleased to play a part in celebrating the great work of the finalists for the 2015 Award for Corporate Excellence.   I’ve said many times that foreign policy and economic policy are really two sides of the same coin.     There are indelible links between peace and pro...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

Topics: Climate and Environment, Energy, Human Rights and Democracy, Science, Technology, and Innovation

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...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

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...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

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...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

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

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC February 11, 2016 Yesterday, President Obama signed the instrument that will allow the United States to join the Port State Measures Agreement. This important step in the ratification process follows the passage by Congress of the bipartisan Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing Enforcement Act of 2015 and brings the United States in line to become the twentieth party to ratify the Agreement. By joining the Port State Measures Agr...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

Regions: United States

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...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

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...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

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...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

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...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

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

Topics: Countering Terrorism, Science, Technology, and Innovation

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC January 25, 2016 On behalf of President Barack Obama and the people of the United States, I am delighted to offer my best wishes to the citizens of Aruba as they celebrate Betico Croes Day on January 25, a day named in honor of the statesman and patriot Betico Croes. In recent years, Aruba has emerged as a key force in moving the Caribbean toward a clean energy future. This can be seen through the nation’s development of one of the large...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

Regions: Aruba

Topics: Climate and Environment, Energy, Global Health

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...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

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...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

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 January 7, 2016 On the one-year anniversary of the January 7-9, 2015, attacks that took the lives of 17 people, we honor the victims of this tragedy and share the sadness of their loss. Their legacy endures as a challenge and inspiration to all of us. Charlie Hebdo continues to publish, and journalists around the world continue in their essential mission to tell the stories that people everywhere need to hear. No country knows better than Fran...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

Regions: France , United States

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State The White House Washington, DC January 5, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Valerie, thank you very much. Happy New Year to everybody. Welcome back to this meeting. Actually, this is a meeting that allows us to step back into 2015, because we were supposed to have the meeting in 2015, and now we’re going to have two meetings in 2016, so just pretend this is 2015 and you’re very happy about it. (Laughter.) I’m delighted to be here with Susan Coppedge, our ambas...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

Topics: Climate and Environment, Global Health

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 31, 2015 On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I would like to convey my best wishes to the people of Myanmar on your independence day this January 4. This 68th anniversary of Myanmar’s independence follows your country’s historic parliamentary elections on November 8. On that day, millions of people around the country, many voting for the first time, seized the opportunity to move Myanmar one s...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

Regions: United States

Topics: Human Rights and Democracy

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 31, 2015 On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I congratulate the people of Sudan on 60 years of independence and send our sincerest wishes for 2016. The American people have a long standing relationship with the Sudanese people and value their diversity, culture and accomplishments over the past year. We will continue to work with the Sudanese people to address humanitarian crises, bring an end to conflict...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

Regions: Sudan

Topics: Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance

Op-Ed John Kerry Secretary of State The Boston Globe December 29, 2015 [ Spanish  | Arabic  | French ] One reason for the remarkable record of the New England Patriots is the team’s single-minded focus on the next game. Managing world affairs requires the same concentration on future challenges, for past accomplishments provide no guarantee of continued success. They can, however, lend confidence that, with the right preparation and effort, positive results will follow. As one year gives...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

Regions: China, Colombia , Cuba , France , Iran , Iraq , 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

Roles: Everyone: All Users

Op-Ed John Kerry Secretary of State The Boston Globe December 29, 2015 Regarder vers l’avenir en s’appuyant sur les réussites de 2015 Le Secrétaire d’État, John Kerry Le passage à la nouvelle année accorde aux leaders internationaux l’occasion de s’appuyer sur plusieurs réussites majeures enregistrées en 2015. Parmi ces réussites, la plus importante est le récent accord mondial atteint à Paris pour &eacut...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

Regions: Cuba , France , Iran , Sri Lanka

Topics: Countering Terrorism

Op-Ed John Kerry Secretary of State The Boston Globe December 29, 2015 Artículo de opinión - Fin de Año – para el Boston Globe Por el Secretario de Estado, John Kerry En la medida que un año da paso al siguiente, los líderes internacionales tienen la oportunidad de sentar base sobre los variados e importantes logros alcanzados en 2015. De ellos, ninguno es más importante que el reciente acuerdo global en París para evitar los efectos más noci...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

Regions: China, Colombia , Sri Lanka

Topics: Countering Terrorism, Energy

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 28, 2015 Five months after we, the European Union, and our P5+1 partners finalized the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action with Iran, I remain so proud of our team in achieving what was truly one of our most important accomplishments of 2015 – ensuring that Iran’s nuclear program is exclusively peaceful going forward. As we get closer to Implementation Day, the next major milestone in the JCPOA, I am pleased to report that ...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

Regions: Azerbaijan , Iran , Kazakhstan , Norway , Russia , United States

Topics: Energy

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...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

Regions: Iraq , Syria , United States

Topics: Countering Terrorism

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 28, 2015 We welcome today’s announcement by the Governments of Japan and the Republic of Korea that they have reached an agreement regarding the sensitive historical legacy issue of “comfort women.” They have made clear that by implementing this agreement they will "finally and irreversibly" resolve this issue. We believe this agreement will promote healing and help to improve relations between two of the U...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

Regions: Japan

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 22, 2015 On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I would like to take the opportunity to send my warmest wishes to the Emperor of Japan on the occasion of his birthday, and to congratulate the people of Japan on this national day of celebration. For over a half-century, the United States and Japan have enjoyed a strong, vibrant relationship. This past year saw our Alliance, as well as economic and people-to-p...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

Regions: Japan , United States

Topics: Countering Terrorism

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 18, 2015 On International Migrants Day, commemorated on December 18, we pay tribute to all those who venture abroad in search of safety, dignity, and a better life. We recall the heartbreaking images and harrowing stories that have captured the attention of the world, and the more than 3600 migrants and refugees who have died this year alone attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea. Whether they are escaping war or poverty or seeking...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

Regions: United Kingdom

Topics: Energy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance

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 ...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

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 ...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

Regions: Syria , United States

Topics: Countering Terrorism, Energy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 17, 2015 On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I extend my best wishes and congratulations to the people of Bhutan as you celebrate the 108 th anniversary of your National Day on December 17. The United States attaches great importance to the warm ties between the peoples of our two countries and to our shared commitment to address climate change and other global challenges. Bhutan’s commitment to pro...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

Regions: Bhutan , United States

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

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 17, 2015 A year has passed since President Obama proposed normalizing relations with Cuba, re-opening our embassies, and creating more opportunities for our two peoples to engage with one another.  This was a dramatic change in policy, but it represented no change in our aspiration for Cuban citizens – that they be given a chance to live in a peaceful, prosperous, open, and democratic society. Since then, a lot has happened...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

Regions: Cuba , Mexico , United States

Topics: Climate and Environment, Combating Drugs and Crime, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Human Rights and Democracy

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 17, 2015 Today in Morocco, Libyan political leaders came together after a year of UN-facilitated political dialogue to sign the Libyan Political Agreement that will establish a unified Libyan Government of National Accord. We salute these courageous Libyans who stand ready to rebuild a united Libya and who are determined to move the country forward. All Libyans have a role to play as the political transition continues. I urge all Liby...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

Regions: Italy , Libya , United States

Topics: Countering Terrorism, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 16, 2015 SECRETARY KERRY: Well, good afternoon to everybody. Thank you, Pete. Hi, everybody. AUDIENCE: Hi. SECRETARY KERRY: How are you? AUDIENCE: Good. SECRETARY KERRY: You guys look spectacular, you really do. What is that, “super cute”? That jersey says “super cute?” I think that jersey got it right. (Laughter.) There’s another one back there that says “Daddy’s draft pick.” I love these jerse...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

Regions: China, Iraq , Jersey , Libya , Russia , Syria , United Kingdom

Topics: Climate and Environment

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Treaty Room Washington, DC December 16, 2015 SECRETARY KERRY: Good afternoon, everybody. I’m delighted this afternoon to be able to welcome for her first visit – official visit as the foreign minister Claudia Ruiz Massieu to Washington, and want to reaffirm in significant ways the criticality of the relationship with Mexico. We do more and more with Mexico today than ever before. Together with Canada, the Canada-North America-Mexico trilateral relationsh...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

Regions: Canada , Mexico , United States

Topics: Treaties and International Agreements

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 15, 2015 I welcome today’s consensus adoption by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors (BOG) of the resolution addressing the Director General’s December 2 final assessment of the possible military dimensions (PMD) of Iran’s past nuclear program. This resolution allows the Board to turn its focus now to the full implementation and verification of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPO...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

Regions: Iran , United States

Topics: Energy

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 15, 2015 On the one-year anniversary of the attack at the Army Public School in Peshawar, we remember the victims, including many children, who were killed in that outrageous attack.  We offer our deepest condolences to the families of the victims, and we underscore our condemnation of that cowardly act of mass murder.  Last summer, in Washington, I had the opportunity to meet some of the students who survived that tragic da...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

Regions: United States

Topics: Countering Terrorism

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...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

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

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

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 15, 2015 On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I congratulate the people of Kazakhstan as you celebrate the 24 th anniversary of your independence on December 16. The United States was the first country to recognize Kazakhstan after it declared independence in 1991, and since that day our friendship has only grown stronger. Nearly a quarter of a century later, we remain committed to a secure, sovereign, and...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

Regions: Kazakhstan , United States

Topics: Arms Control and Nonproliferation

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...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

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...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

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

Topics: Countering Terrorism

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State The Kremlin Moscow, Russia December 15, 2015 PRESIDENT PUTIN: (Via interpreter) Your Excellency, Mr. Secretary of State, dear colleagues, I would like to cordially welcome you to Moscow. Your Excellency, Secretary of State, we see what efforts you have undertaken in order to settle a number of very urgent problems. And it’s very – even difficult to track all your movements around the globe. I believe you have some time to sleep and to rest. Well, you kno...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

Regions: Russia , Ukraine , United Kingdom , United States

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Ministry of Foreign Affairs Rome, Italy December 13, 2015 MODERATOR: (Via interpreter) Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, the Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni, and the UN Special Representative for Libya Martin Kobler will be addressing the meeting. FOREIGN MINISTER GENTILONI: Well, first of all, I wanted to thank John Kerry, convening with us, with Italy, this meeting; and Martin Kobler, for the extraordin...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

Regions: France , Italy , Libya , Morocco , United States

Topics: Countering Terrorism, Energy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance

Interview John Kerry Secretary of State Paris, France December 12, 2015 QUESTION: World leaders from almost 200 countries, erupting in applause after adopting the first global agreement to fight climate change. Among the deal’s key points, countries commit to lowering, then eliminating greenhouse gas pollution sometime after 2050. The goal is to keep global temperatures from rising another 1 degree Celsius, or 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit, between now and the end of the century. We spoke with Secretary ...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

Regions: China, France , Iran , United States

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

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...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

Regions: France , United Kingdom , United States

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

Interview John Kerry Secretary of State Paris, France December 12, 2015 QUESTION: History made in Paris yesterday, as nearly 200 nations approved the first global agreement on climate change. The Paris accord will aim to limit global temperature increases and their catastrophic consequences by curbing greenhouse gas emissions, cutting the use of fossil fuels. President Obama gave the agreement an emphatic endorsement in a rare Saturday evening statement from the White House. (Begin clip.) PRESIDENT OBAM...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

Regions: China, France , United Kingdom , United States

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

Interview John Kerry Secretary of State Paris, France December 12, 2015 QUESTION: Good morning and welcome to Face the Nation. I’m John Dickerson. Nearly 200 countries have signed on to a climate change agreement they hope will avert a global disaster. Each promised to slow carbon emissions towards a goal of preventing global temperatures from rising more than 2 degrees Celsius, or 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit, above preindustrial temperature levels. These targets are nonbinding and there is no enforcem...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

Regions: France , United States

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

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...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

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...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

Regions: France , United States

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

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 Burkina Faso on the 55th anniversary of your nation’s independence. The elections which you held on November 29 showed the world your commitment to democracy and your steadfast desire to overcome adversity and build a free, stable, and prosperous country. The United States strongly supports you in this effort and looks forwa...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

Regions: Burkina Faso , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Human Rights and Democracy

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...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

Regions: Kenya , United States

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Le Bourget Paris, France December 11, 2015 SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you very much. Thank you. Well, we had a very constructive meeting. There are – there’s a lot of progress, progress made last night, a long night, but are still a couple of very difficult issues that we’re working on. And over the course of today, we’ll have some meetings with various groups to work those through. I’m hopeful. I think there is a way to go forward, that th...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

Regions: France , Saudi Arabia , United Kingdom

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 10, 2015 The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was forged in the aftermath of World War II to protect freedom and prevent future atrocities. As we commemorate it today, we recall President Franklin Roosevelt’s 1941 Four Freedoms address, which inspired the Universal Declaration, and which the United Nations selected as this year’s theme for International Human Rights Day. The “four freedoms” – of spee...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

Regions: Burundi , China, Iran , Korea, North , Syria , Uzbekistan

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

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 10, 2015 Teresa and I are saddened to learn of the passing of Barry Schweid, an Associated Press legend and the longtime dean of the State Department press corps. While I never had Barry tracking my movements, I knew well of his work. Whether the beat led him to cover Henry Kissinger's shuttle diplomacy or Jimmy Carter's Camp David accords, I joined countless people around the world in learning the news and the context behind ...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

Topics: Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Le Bourget Paris, France December 10, 2015 QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, (inaudible) the update on the COP, the climate change talks? SECRETARY KERRY: Well, we’re working away. Today’s obviously getting down to the critical stage, and we had a very constructive meeting. We feel very good about the conversation we’ve just had. We need to work on language, and that what most of today and tonight will be. QUESTION: Secretary, any update on the Syria situat...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

Regions: France , Saudi Arabia , Syria , Turkey , United Kingdom

Topics: Climate and Environment, Global Health

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 10, 2015 We welcome the positive outcome of the gathering of the Syrian opposition in Riyadh today, including reaching a consensus on principles for a pluralistic and democratic Syria and on how to advance a political settlement to end the conflict in Syria. As I conveyed to Foreign Minister Al-Jubeir today, we appreciate Saudi Arabia’s leadership in convening this broad and representative group of 116 participants, who agreed t...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

Regions: Syria

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 10, 2015 I welcome today’s meeting of the United Nations Security Council, which examined the appalling human rights conditions in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), as well as the threat the situation posed to international peace and security. One year ago this month, the Council convened for the first time in history to discuss the human rights situation in the DPRK. We believe it is critical to shine a li...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

Topics: Global Women's Issues, Human Rights and Democracy

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 9, 2015 Today, on International Anticorruption Day, I call on partner countries, civil society groups, and business leaders to strengthen our common efforts to combat corruption. Simply put, bad governance is one of the biggest challenges globally. The cost of corruption is beyond debate: it fuels instability and robs innocent people of their due and their possibilities. And yet, as deeply rooted as corruption can be in some countries...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

Regions: United States

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&...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

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 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 ...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

Regions: Algeria , France , Syria

Topics: Climate and Environment, Global Health

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...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

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...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

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...

Roles: Everyone: All Users

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