Secretary Remarks

December 3, 2012 to December 7, 2012 Travels With Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton Photos Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is traveling to Prague, the Czech Republic; Brussels, Belgium ; Dublin, Ireland ; and Belfast, Northern Ireland December 3-7. Secretary Clinton traveled to Prague, the Czech Republic, December 3 to meet with Czech officials on strengthening Czech energy independence, as well as advancing human rights and supporting democratic transitions around the world. Secr...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Czech Republic , Georgia , Ireland , Russia , United Kingdom

Topics: Energy, Human Rights and Democracy

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 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

Press Availability John Kerry Secretary of State Brussels, Belgium December 6, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Well, good afternoon, everybody. I am pleased to be back in Brussels – obviously, a little bit bittersweet – to be here with my NATO colleagues for the last ministerial as Secretary of State, but I’m happy to be with my colleagues and pleased to be back in Brussels. There’s nothing nostalgic about our need to constantly reaffirm the importance of collective defense and democratic ...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Antarctica, Belgium , Egypt , Iran , Israel , Russia , Syria , Ukraine , 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, 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 The Ritz Carlton Washington, DC November 29, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you very, very much, Karen. “Under the weather” is a polite word for the crud. (Laughter.) Anyway, thank you, Karen, for a wonderful introduction. And it’s with great pride that I accept the nomination. (Laughter.) Shh. It’s a little dangerous right now. (Laughter.) I am suffering from a bunch of grandchildren, all of whom are sniveling at...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Antarctica, China, Colombia , Cuba , Germany , Honduras , Iran , Japan , Korea, North , Lebanon , Libya , Russia , Saudi Arabia , Syria , Ukraine , United Kingdom , United States , Yemen

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

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Marrakech, Morocco November 16, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you so much, everybody. I apologize for being a few moments late. There was a fire and then there was some traffic backed up, and so here I am and here are you, and thank you for being here. Let me begin by thanking our terrific U.S. Special Envoy for Climate Change Jonathan Pershing. I couldn’t be luckier than to have him in this job. He was over at the Energy Department for a while. We stole him fro...

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Regions: Antarctica, Brazil , China, Fiji , France , Greenland , India , Morocco , New Zealand , 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 Ben Franklin Room Washington, DC November 3, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests, mabuhay . AUDIENCE: Mabuhay. SECRETARY KERRY: I’m happy really happy to welcome everybody. What a crowd. This is amazing. Are you running for office? (Laughter.) AMBASSADOR KIM: Next job. SECRETARY KERRY: Next job. (Laughter.) Obviously, one of our most popular diplomats, and impressive. I am really delighted that so many of you could come and join us...

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Regions: Australia , Korea, North , Philippines , United States

Topics: Treaties and International Agreements

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 Brussels, Belgium October 5, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Well, Federica, thank you. Thank you very much and thank you for your personal leadership. President Tusk and President Ghani, Secretary-General Ban, Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, Your Highness, Your Excellencies all, and friends all, I’m personally really delighted to be here with everybody today. And I want to begin just by thanking our hosts, the combination of the EU and Afghanistan, particularly High...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Belgium , China, Iran , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Climate and Environment, Countering Terrorism, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Global Women's Issues

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

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

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

Interview John Kerry Secretary of State Marshall and John Jay Rooms Washington, DC September 15, 2016 QUESTION: Secretary of State, as you know, it’s a very turbulent time in the world. We’ve got Syria, we’ve got Ukraine, we’ve got the Maghreb crisis. So why the oceans? Why are you devoting so much energy to that? SECRETARY KERRY: Because the oceans are a security threat, challenge. The state of the oceans are a security challenge for everybody in the world. They are under siege ...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Iran , Italy , Libya , Syria , United Kingdom , United States

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

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...

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Regions: United Kingdom , United States

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

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Loy Henderson Auditorium Washington, DC September 15, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Well, good morning everybody. And Cathy, thank you very, very much. I hope everybody here will join me in expressing our gratitude to Cathy and her team who have done an absolutely superb job of preparing this, putting this together. Cathy, thank you very, very much. Appreciate it. (Applause.) I also want to express my profound gratitude to all of the foreign ministers, environ ministers, am...

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Regions: Chile, China, France , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Climate and Environment, Combating Drugs and Crime, Energy, Global Health, Human Rights and Democracy, Treaties and International Agreements

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Long View Gallery Washington, DC September 14, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Hello, everybody. AUDIENCE: Hello. SECRETARY KERRY: Ted, thank you very, very much. It is true, I met Ted when he was doing a little something at a place called Cheers up in Boston – (laughter) – and I actually got to be in a Cheers episode, if you want to know the truth, where Cliff and Norm met me as I was walking down the street, which I happened to live about five doors away from Ch...

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Regions: Cambodia , Chile, Thailand

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

Interview John Kerry Secretary of State Rosa Kempinski Hotel Nairobi, Kenya August 22, 2016 QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, first of all, it’s an honor to speak to you. Thank you for finding the time to speak to Eye Radio. For formality purpose, please introduce yourself to our listeners. SECRETARY KERRY: Well, thank you. I’m delighted to be with you. I’m John Kerry, the Secretary of State of the United States, and delighted to be in Nairobi. QUESTION: While giving the press briefing a short ...

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Regions: Kenya , Sudan , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Countering Terrorism, Human Rights and Democracy

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 Palacio Itamaraty Rio de Janeiro, Brazil August 5, 2016 FOREIGN MINISTER SERRA: (Via interpretation) Good afternoon. I want to begin by saying that the visit of Secretary John Kerry and the very productive meeting we just had may represent the first step of a new phase in the relationship between Brazil and the United States – they may represent, and I am certain, I am confident that they will represent. The closeness between U.S. and Brazil is bolstered by Pr...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Brazil , China, Cyprus , Russia , United Kingdom , United States , Venezuela

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

Press Availability John Kerry Secretary of State Treaty Room Washington, DC August 1, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Well, good afternoon, everybody. Buenas tardes . I am delighted to be joined by my friend and my colleague Foreign Minister Maria Holguin of the Republic of Colombia. And we have been delighted over the course of the last day and a half or so to be engaged in the sixth session of the U.S.-Colombia High-Level Partnership Dialogue. It is underway here at the department, and I think Maria Angela woul...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Chile, Colombia , Cuba , Ecuador , Norway , Russia , United Kingdom , United States , Venezuela

Topics: Arms Control and Nonproliferation, 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, Treaties and International Agreements

Remarks John Kerry    Secretary of State Brett McGurk    Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition To Counter ISIL , Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter Loy Henderson Auditorium Washington, DC July 21, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Well, good morning, everybody, and thank you very, very much for joining us at an extremely important meeting, and an important moment. And we are very grateful to ever...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Australia , Czech Republic , France , Germany , Iraq , Italy , Norway , Syria , United Kingdom , United States

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

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Treaty Room Washington, DC July 21, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: My great pleasure to welcome for the second time – he was here yesterday – the Foreign Minister of Iraq Ibrahim al-Jaafari. And I think it is evident from all of the work we did yesterday at the pledging conference that produced $2.1 billion how critical the relationship with Iraq is. Iraq is working hard, fighting hard, to take back its country against Daesh. We are making extraordinary progress....

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Regions: Iraq , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Countering Terrorism, Treaties and International Agreements

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC July 17, 2016 The United States is deeply concerned by the decision of a Bahraini court to dissolve the opposition Al Wefaq political society and liquidate its assets. This ruling is the latest in a series of disconcerting steps in Bahrain, including the Government of Bahrain's revocation of Sheikh Isa Qassem’s citizenship and the arrest of human rights activist Nabil Rajab. We take note of the government’s prior outreach to th...

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Regions: Bahrain , United States

Topics: Human Rights and Democracy

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

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC July 5, 2016 On behalf of President Obama and the American people, I send my best regards to the people of Solomon Islands on the thirty-eighth anniversary of your nation’s independence this July 7. Our two countries’ enduring friendship was forged in World War II.  It has grown throughout the years as we’ve worked together on issues ranging from strengthening democratic institutions to combating the negative effects of ...

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Regions: Solomon Islands

Topics: Climate and Environment, Global Health

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC June 8, 2016 On World Oceans Day, we reflect on the challenges facing our ocean and what we must do to protect this life-sustaining resource for future generations. The fact is that the rich marine environment many of us have enjoyed throughout our lives is under extreme stress from human activity. Without a shift in our approach, our children and grandchildren will inherit an ocean that is less healthy, less resilient and less able to provide...

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Topics: Climate and Environment

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...

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Regions: China, United States

Topics: Climate and Environment, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Secretary of Treasury Jack Lew, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong, Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang, and Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi Diaoyutai State Guesthouse Beijing, China June 6, 2016 PRESIDENT XI: (Via interpreter) Secretary of State John Kerry, Secretary of the Treasury Jacob Lew, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen (inaudible), today, the eighth round of the China-U.S. Strategic and Economic Dialogue, and the seventh ...

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Regions: Afghanistan, China, Iran , Korea, North , 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, Science, Technology, and Innovation, The Ocean and Polar Affairs, Treaties and International Agreements

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC May 17, 2016 The world marked a turning point yesterday in the global fight against illegal fishing. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) announced that 29 countries and the European Union have become party to the 2009 Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter, and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing. With 30 parties on board, the agreement will officially enter into force on June 5, 2016, giving cou...

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Op-Ed John Kerry Secretary of State USA Today Washington, DC May 12, 2016 In nearly every corner of the world in recent years, from the Arab Spring to Latin America and many places in between, political turbulence has made clear that governments are unwise to shrug off their citizens’ growing concerns about corruption. It is a poison that erodes trust, robs citizens of their money and their future and stifles economic growth in the places that need it most. And this epidemic is pervasive and growi...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Guatemala , Iraq , Nigeria

Topics: Global Health

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State TD Garden Boston, MA May 6, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: President Aoun, thank you for your very generous introduction and thank you for the invitation to be here on this very, very special day. Jim Bean, Henry Nasella, members of the board, faculty, parents, friends, and especially the brilliant and charismatic class of 2016. (Applause.) The Garden is about as good as it gets for a commencement. All you have to do is just look up there at the banners heralding the Boston ...

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Regions: China, India , Syria , 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 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...

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

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

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

Interview John Kerry Secretary of State Miami Passport Agency Miami, Florida April 17, 2016 QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, welcome. Great to speak with you. SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you. Good to be with you. QUESTION: What brings you to Miami? SECRETARY KERRY: Well, I’m here in Miami actually to talk to the honors program at Dade County -- QUESTION: Miami Dade College. SECRETARY KERRY: Yes, sir. And it’s exciting for me because one of the things we’ve been trying to do is reach out across Amer...

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Regions: Cuba , Haiti , Israel , United Kingdom , United States , West Bank

Topics: Human Rights and Democracy

Press Availability John Kerry Secretary of State U.S. Embassy Baghdad Baghdad, Iraq April 8, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Well, good afternoon everybody, and thank you for your patience. I really appreciate it. I have had a very productive series of conversations, a day of meetings here in Baghdad. And I want to thank Prime Minister Abadi, Foreign Minister Jaafari, Speaker Jibouri, and KRG Prime Minister Barzani, all of them, for the time they gave today, for the serious conversations we had, and for their par...

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

Topics: Countering Terrorism, Energy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance

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

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

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

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC March 29, 2016 Good morning, everybody, and welcome. And Cathy, thank you so much for the spectacular job that you are doing. I can’t think of anybody better suited to work on the State Department’s top priorities, and Cathy is really offering extraordinary leadership, encouraging every embassy, every consulate, every bureau, every Foreign Service and civil service officer to integrate gender equality into our work. And I think she has bri...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Bangladesh , Belize , China, France , Guatemala , Malaysia , Mauritania , Morocco , Slovakia , Syria , United Kingdom

Topics: Countering Terrorism, Energy, Global Women's Issues, Human Rights and Democracy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance

Interview John Kerry Secretary of State CBS Studio Washington, DC March 26, 2016 MR DICKERSON: We sat down earlier with Secretary of State John Kerry, who is just back from Brussels. We asked him how worried he was about another terror attack in Europe. SECRETARY KERRY: Well, I think everybody’s concerned, because for several years now foreign fighters have been returning from Syria or from other locations and implanting themselves in the communities, and this is the threat that we’ve all be...

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Regions: Argentina, Belgium , Cuba , Iran , Iraq , Russia , Syria , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Countering Terrorism, Energy, Human Rights and Democracy

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Press Briefing Room Washington, DC Learn more: Atrocities Prevention Report March 17, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Good morning, everybody. In 2014, the terrorist group Daesh began to seize territory in Syria and Iraq, overrunning major cities and committing atrocities. The United States responded quickly by denouncing these horrific acts and – more importantly – taking coordinated actions to counter them. In September of that year, President Obama mobilized an...

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Regions: Iraq , Syria , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Countering Terrorism

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 Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC February 12, 2016 On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I congratulate Lithuania on the 98th anniversary of its independence on February 16. Lithuania has always been, and remains, a vigorous champion of democratic values.  As a member of the UN Security Council in 2014-15, Lithuania worked closely with the United States to pursue international peace, support the sovereignty of a democratic Ukraine, uphold huma...

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Regions: Lithuania , United Kingdom , United States

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

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni Ministry of Foreign Affairs Rome, Italy February 2, 2016 FOREIGN MINISTER GENTILONI: (In progress) we are now beginning this third ministerial meeting of the so-called Small Group of the international anti-Daesh coalition, and I think that one of the issues that we could discuss and deliver today is to have even more frequent meetings of this Small Group during 2016. We had last year only one meeting, and one in 2014, but the...

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Regions: Afghanistan, France , Iraq , Italy , Libya , Syria , Turkey , United Kingdom

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

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Vientiane, Laos January 25, 2016 MS SOUKDALA: Secretary Kerry, it is my great pleasure to welcome you to Laos. I’m sorry, my voice is going to be shaking because I’m so excited and cold at the same time. Yeah, so the young people gathered in front of you today come from all walks of life. They all have different backgrounds, but they share a few common thread. First, they share a passion of the environment. Second, they are committed to helping Laos reac...

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Regions: Laos , United Kingdom , United States

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

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

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Ben Franklin Room Washington, DC January 12, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Well, good morning, everybody, and welcome to the State Department. I’m very, very pleased to be here with my colleague, Ash Carter, and my friends, Secretary Albert del Rosario and Secretary Gazmin. We’re here to reinforce and reaffirm the alliance between the United States and the Philippines, one of the strongest and longest, actually. As you know, this room that we are in was named fo...

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Regions: China, Philippines , United Kingdom , United States

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

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC November 18, 2015 One of the Department of State’s highest priorities is the welfare of children involved in international parental child abduction cases, and one of our most effective tools for resolving these cases is the Hague Abduction Convention. I want to thank the 73 countries that partner with us under the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, and encourage other countries to become party to...

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Topics: Treaties and International Agreements

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

Photos from the trip» Secretary Kerry was in Valparaíso, Chile, on October 5 to attend the second Our Ocean conference , hosted by the government of Chile. He and Chilean Foreign Minister Heraldo Muñoz also participated in a town hall meeting with students entitled, “Taking Action for Our Ocean.” Secretary Kerry hosted the inaugural Our Ocean conference in Washington, DC, in June 2014. As with that meeting, the Valparaíso event brought together heads of state, expe...

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Regions: Chile, United States

Topics: Climate and Environment

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

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

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC October 8, 2015 ASSISTANT SECRETARY RYAN: Thank you. It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to the State Department today in honor of Our Cities, Our Climate – an initiative between the State Department and Bloomberg Philanthropies. We are here to recognize and honor global city leadership on a topic of great importance – climate change. At the State Department, this is at the top of our agenda, and we are thrilled to partner with Mi...

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Regions: Argentina, China, United Kingdom , United States

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

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC October 7, 2015 In 2009, developed countries committed to mobilize financial flows to mitigate climate change and protect the world’s poorest and most vulnerable communities from its worst impacts. Today’s report from the OECD and CPI shows developed countries are well on our way to meeting the goal we set to jointly mobilize $100 billion a year by 2020 from a wide variety of sources, both public and private. This independent repor...

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Regions: Peru , United States

Topics: Climate and Environment, Global Health

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 31, 2014 On behalf of President Obama, and the people of the United States, I congratulate the people of Sudan on the 59th anniversary of their independence.

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Regions: Sudan

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 24, 2014 Nobel Peace Prize laureate and writer Liu Xiaobo today spends the fifth anniversary of his conviction for “inciting subversion” in prison, serving out an 11-year sentence. The United States remains deeply concerned that China continues to incarcerate Liu Xiaobo and hold his wife, Liu Xia, in extralegal house arrest. Liu Xiaobo is a courageous and eloquent spokesperson recognized throughout the world for his long a...

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Regions: China, United States

Topics: Human Rights and Democracy

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 23, 2014 The United States warmly welcomes that announcement today of an agreement among Northern Ireland's political parties, facilitated by the U.K. and Irish governments. This is statesmanship, pure and simple, and leadership by all parties to break a political impasse and avoid a fiscal crisis by resolving complex budgetary and welfare issues. The agreement reforms institutional arrangements, which will improve governance in N...

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Regions: Ireland , United Kingdom , United States

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 22, 2014 I’d like to have about a hundred Cliff Sloans. He’s the real deal. He’s the model of someone very successful on the outside who comes in to the State Department and builds relationships instead of burning bridges, gets people on board with a tough assignment, masters the inter-agency process, and just keeps his head down and proves the doubters dead wrong. Believe me, there were a lot of doubters. This wasn&...

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Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 22, 2014 I’ll never forget hearing the news of the tsunami that struck in the Indian Ocean 10 years ago. The images were gut-wrenching: entire towns razed from Indonesia to Somalia; raging waters sweeping away people’s homes; hundreds of thousands killed and many more separated from their families. Today of all days, we pause to remember those we lost—from farmers and fishers to travelers from our own lands. I know t...

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Regions: Indonesia , Philippines , United Kingdom

Topics: Climate and Environment, Global Health

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 22, 2014 On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I would like to send warm wishes to His Imperial Majesty on his 81st birthday this December 23 and congratulate Japan on this national day of celebration. As I have mentioned in my many meetings with Foreign Minister Kishida, and as President Obama reiterated when he spoke with Prime Minister Abe last week, the United States-Japan Alliance has long been the cor...

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Regions: Japan , United States

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 22, 2014 On behalf of the government and people of the United States, I would like to congratulate President-elect Beji Caid Essebsi on his victory and the Tunisian people on the successful completion of their process to elect a new government under the constitution adopted last January. Tunisia has provided a shining example to the region and the world of what can be achieved through dedication to democracy, consensus, and an inclusi...

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Regions: Tunisia , United States

Topics: Human Rights and Democracy

Op-Ed John Kerry Secretary of State Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker, Treasury Secretary Jacob J. Lew Miami Herald December 20, 2014 President Obama’s decision to begin normalizing relations with Cuba will advance United States’ interests and those of the Cuban people. The 11 million people of this island nation have waited far too long — over half a century — to fulfill their democratic aspirations and build closer ties with the rest of the world in the 21st century. Our new...

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Regions: Cuba , Panama , United States , Western Hemisphere

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

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 19, 2014 The United States condemns North Korea for the cyber-attack targeting Sony Pictures Entertainment and the unacceptable threats against movie theatres and moviegoers. These actions are a brazen attempt by an isolated regime to suppress free speech and stifle the creative expression of artists beyond the borders of its own country. Freedom of expression is at the center of America’s values and a founding principle of our ...

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Regions: Korea, North , United States

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 18, 2014 Avril will do a terrific job. Everything you’d hope for in a Deputy National Security Advisor is exactly what she brings to the table, just like Tony before her. She’s fair, driven, thoughtful, unflappable, organized, and brilliant. This is a big job. it’s a policy job, a process job, and a people skills job. It is rare for one person to bring all the right talents to that equation. It requires diverse exper...

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Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 18, 2014 On behalf of the American people, I congratulate the people of Mauritius on the peaceful transition of power that resulted from the successful elections held on December 10. Mauritius’ series of free, fair, democratic, and peaceful elections stand as a model for the rest of the world. Prime Minister Jugnauth returns to lead Mauritius with a wealth of experience, and the U.S. government looks forward to working with him ...

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Regions: Mauritius , United States

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 17, 2014 Also available in Spanish . I was a seventeen year old kid watching on a black and white television set when I first heard an American President talk of Cuba as an "imprisoned island.” For five and a half decades since, our policy toward Cuba has remained virtually frozen, and done little to promote a prosperous, democratic and stable Cuba. Not only has this policy failed to advance America's goals, it has actu...

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Regions: Cuba , United Kingdom , United States , Western Hemisphere

Topics: Countering Terrorism, Energy, Human Rights and Democracy

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 17, 2014 SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you very much. Well, Happy Holidays to all. Happy Hanukkah, second day of Hanukkah. Merry Christmas. And we are really delighted to welcome everybody here. Hi kids, how are you? How are you doing? You look fabulous. I – thank you. I do not often get to talk to as distinguished a group as you. You look absolutely great, and you’re all so well behaved. I hope you’re going to come up here afterwa...

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Regions: Afghanistan, United Kingdom , United States , Vietnam

Topics: Countering Terrorism, Energy

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

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

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

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 17, 2014 Raj has been an outstanding Administrator, a creative innovator, and a dynamic leader. After five years, he absolutely deserves this transition, and he leaves USAID after making a dramatic mark — transforming this institution into one that's more entrepreneurial, more modern, and more nimble, while promoting resilient democracies and battling extreme poverty across the globe. I first heard Raj’s name many year...

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Regions: Haiti , United Kingdom

Topics: Science, Technology, and Innovation

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 16, 2014 On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I congratulate the people of Kazakhstan as you celebrate your Independence Day on December 16. The United States was the first country in the world to recognize your independence in 1991. Our friendship has only grown stronger since that day twenty three years ago. I was honored to host Foreign Minister Irlan Idrisov recently in Washington, D.C. It was clear to...

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Regions: Kazakhstan , United States

Topics: Energy, Human Rights and Democracy

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 16, 2014 As Haiti’s political leaders work to resolve the issue of delayed elections, the United States supports the right of the Haitian people to go to the polls to determine their future. Elections are essential for Haiti’s democratic development and for continued progress in post-earthquake reconstruction and development. We commend the work of Haiti's presidential advisory commission and welcome its recommendation...

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Regions: United Kingdom , United States

Press Availability John Kerry Secretary of State U.S. Embassy London, United Kingdom December 16, 2014 SECRETARY KERRY: Afternoon, everybody. Thanks for being here. Obviously, the last few days have been fairly intensive set of discussions, and we’ve covered a lot of ground, so I thought it was important to try to bring everybody up to speed on the road journeyed and the road ahead. Before I do, though, I want to address, for a moment, the tragic events that have taken place over the course of the...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Australia , France , Israel , Pakistan , Russia , Syria , Ukraine , United Kingdom , United States , West Bank , Yemen

Topics: Climate and Environment, Combating Drugs and Crime, Countering Terrorism, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Energy, Science, Technology, and Innovation

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

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Regions: Sudan , United States

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

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Rome, Italy December 14, 2014 FOREIGN MINISTER LAVROV: Sorry for Sunday evening, guys. (Laughter.) SECRETARY KERRY: Well, thanks everybody. We’re delighted to be here. We have a number of critical issues to talk about, and I’m very appreciative of Foreign Minister Lavrov changing his schedule and traveling on short notice to be here. I look forward to our conversations. I’m delighted to welcome him here to the American Embassy Residence in Rome. Th...

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Regions: Italy

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Bogota, Colombia December 12, 2014 MODERATOR: (Via interpreter) Good morning, everyone. Welcome. We are going to listen to the statements by the President of the Republic Juan Manuel Santos Calderon and the Secretary of State of the United States of America Mr. John Kerry. Mr. President. PRESIDENT SANTOS: (Via interpreter) Good morning. First of all, I would like to welcome Mr. John Kerry, Secretary of State. It’s a warm welcome and we’re very happy to h...

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Regions: Colombia , United States

Topics: Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Energy, Science, Technology, and Innovation

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Bogota, Colombia December 12, 2014 MS. HARF: Like a press briefing. Matt, get us started. QUESTION: I can start. Sir, so you just spoke to Foreign Minister Lavrov, and apparently the conversation was about – mostly about the Middle East, ahead of your trip to Rome to see Bibi and then -- SECRETARY KERRY: Yeah. QUESTION: -- onward to see the Europeans. I’m just wondering – so what is the (inaudible) position on that at the moment in terms of the UN ...

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Regions: Colombia , France , Iran , Israel , United Kingdom

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 11, 2014 On behalf of the American people and President Obama, I congratulate the people of Burkina Faso on the 54th anniversary of your independence. The United States is dedicated to supporting Burkina Faso’s efforts to strengthen democratic institutions, expand economic opportunities, and maintain regional security. We welcome the establishment of the civilian-led transitional government. It is important that preparations beg...

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Regions: Burkina Faso , United Kingdom , United States

Op-Ed John Kerry Secretary of State Huffington Post December 11, 2014 I touched down in Lima, Peru, today for the international climate change conference for a simple reason: There is a time for evaluating evidence, and there is a time for taking decisive action -- and the time to act is now, before it is too late to heed the warning. The world rarely gets advance warning of a global catastrophe. But for decades we have accumulated verifiable scientific evidence that climate change imperils all of us, n...

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Regions: Brazil , Colombia , New Zealand , Peru , United States

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

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Lima, Peru December 11, 2014 SECRETARY KERRY: Todd, thank you very, very much. Thank you all for being here. Thank you very much, and it’s a privilege for me to be able to share a few words here on what is, by necessity, a quick trip, and I apologize for that, and I am grateful for your steadfast efforts to get us over the finish line. Todd and I have worked together for a long time now, going all the way back to my time in the Senate, and I appreciate, Todd, ...

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Regions: China, India , New Zealand , Peru , Philippines , United Kingdom , United States , Vietnam

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

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Presidential Palace Lima, Peru December 11, 2014 MODERATOR: (Via interpreter) Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon. The government palace of Peru would like to welcome you. We are now going to begin with the press statements given by the President of Peru Ollanta Humala Tasso and the Secretary of State of the United States of America Mr. John Kerry. First of all, the Secretary of the United States will take the floor, Mr. John Kerry. SECRETARY KERRY: Well, muchas gr...

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Regions: China, Peru , United States

Topics: Climate and Environment, Combating Drugs and Crime, Countering Terrorism, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Energy, Global Health, Human Rights and Democracy

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 10, 2014 Delegates from around the world came together 66 years ago amid the rubble of World War II to sign the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, articulating fundamental civil and political rights of all people, and reminding each of us of our responsibility to respect those rights. This past September, I was reminded of the power and enduring relevance of the Universal Declaration when I stood at the United Nations with Shin Do...

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Regions: China, United Kingdom

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

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Bill Burns Auditorium Washington, DC December 10, 2014 AMBASSADOR SELFRIDGE: Please, everyone be seated. Thank you. And I know that applause wasn’t for me, but – (laughter) – nonetheless, I say thank you. So distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon. It’s my pleasure to welcome you to the Burns Auditorium for the swearing in of Ted Osius, the next United States ambassador to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. I’d like t...

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Regions: China, United Kingdom , United States , Vietnam

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

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 10, 2014 Roberta, thank you very much. Thank you all for being here. Thank you for your patience. I apologize for – I know we’ve kept you a little bit, and I apologize for starting late. I was stuck at the White House at a meeting, and I think some of you know what that’s like, right? I mean being stuck, not at the White House. (Laughter.) Roberta, I really appreciate your incredible stewardship. Thank you for your partnersh...

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Regions: Brazil , Canada , Chile, Colombia , Costa Rica , Honduras , Mexico , Panama , Peru , United Kingdom , United States , Western Hemisphere

Topics: Climate and Environment, Combating Drugs and Crime, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Energy, Global Health, Human Rights and Democracy, Science, Technology, and Innovation

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Benjamin Franklin Room Washington, DC December 10, 2014 SECRETARY KERRY: It’s my pleasure to welcome Foreign Minister Idrisov of Kazakhstan. You okay? Sorry. I’m really delighted to welcome the foreign minister here and I want to congratulate him and Kazakhstan on the near 23rd anniversary of their independence. It’s on December 16th. And we have enjoyed a growing security partnership, economic partnership, on any number of issues. We are working o...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Iran , Kazakhstan , United States

Topics: Arms Control and Nonproliferation, Countering Terrorism, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Energy, Global Health, Human Rights and Democracy

Testimony John Kerry Secretary of State Testimony Before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Washington, DC December 9, 2014 Well, Mr. Chairman and Ranking Member Corker and all of my former colleagues, it really is a pleasure for me to be back before the Foreign Relations Committee. During my time here, I think we got some things right and we certainly wound up wishing we’d done some things differently. But I think most of us would agree – and I saw it during both parties’ chairman...

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Regions: Iraq , Syria , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Countering Terrorism, Energy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 9, 2014 We congratulate Kosovo on the constitution of its Assembly and formation of its government -- the first democratic transition of political authority resulting from free and fair elections in all of Kosovo’s territory. This coalition government, and the process that led to its formation, demonstrate the resilience and vitality of Kosovo’s democratic and political institutions. We applaud President Jahjaga for her st...

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Regions: United States

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 9, 2014 Release of this report affirms again that one of America's strengths is our democratic system’s ability to recognize and wrestle with our own history, acknowledge mistakes, and correct course. This marks a coda to a chapter in our history. President Obama turned the page on these policies when he took office and during week one banned the use of torture and closed the detention and interrogation program. It was right...

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Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Treaty Room Washington, DC December 9, 2014 SECRETARY KERRY: I’m very, very happy to welcome the newly appointed Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni. We have already met in a couple of places thus far. We had a chance to talk and get to know each other. But I want to thank him and thank Italy for the tremendous partnership that we have on so many different issues. Italy is right there, working hand in hand, helping not the United States but global aspirat...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Italy , Libya , Ukraine , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Human Rights and Democracy, Treaties and International Agreements

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 9, 2014 On this day, International Anticorruption Day, the United States reiterates its commitment to working with its partners to combat the scourge of corruption. The moral and practical costs of corruption are no longer debatable. Corruption drives instability, popular protests, and revolutions. In some cases, these popular movements produce democratic reform, but in other cases they produce a power vacuum or an authoritarian backl...

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Regions: Ukraine , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Countering Terrorism, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 8, 2014 As a founding member of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the United States congratulates the organization on 70 years as an influential and effective international body. Seventy years ago in Chicago, 52 nations including the United States established an agreement that would guide the development of civil aviation. That agreement, signed on December 7, 1944, created the framework within which the aviation indus...

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Regions: United States

Topics: Climate and Environment

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

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Regions: Honduras , Syria , Tunisia , United States

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

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State U.S. Chamber of Commerce Washington, DC December 8, 2014 Thank you very much, Myron, and I accept the nomination. (Laughter.) I am happy to be here with all of you. It’s got to be hard walking around with everybody calling you brilliant, don’t you think? (Laughter.) Not a bad way to go. Ladies and Gentlemen, Distinguished Guests all, Ambassadors, Your Excellencies, my great friend former Secretary General of the Arab League Amr Moussa, former Deputy Secr...

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Regions: Egypt , France , Iran , Israel , Italy , Jordan , Morocco , Qatar , Saudi Arabia , Syria , Tunisia , United Kingdom , United States , West Bank

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

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 8, 2014 Puneet, thank you very, very much.  That’s a lot of years you and I have been journeying together.  And as Puneet said, I did get to know him pretty well when he worked on the Hill for then-Senator Joe Biden and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and I’m really pleased he’s over here now.  Puneet has never shied away from taking on the tough issues we were just talking about – Iran, which he...

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Regions: Cambodia , Honduras , Iran , Tunisia , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Energy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 7, 2014 The United States is deeply disappointed and concerned by reports that the Iranian judiciary has charged Washington Post journalist Jason Rezaian with unspecified charges, and that the judge denied his request to be released on bail. We are also distressed by reports that Jason was not allowed access to an attorney, which is a clear violation of Iran’s own laws and international norms. I am personally dismayed and distur...

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Regions: Iran , United States

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Willard Hotel Washington, DC December 7, 2014 Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you all. Martin, thank you so very much. Haim, where are you sitting here? Somewhere. Haim, thank you. Gerald, thank you so much for your incredible leadership. Ambassador Dermer, great to see you here. And former Ambassador Oren, I see you here. Joe Lieberman – I’m picking through the audience. I’m stopping at the second row. (Laughter.) It’s really a pleasur...

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Regions: Egypt , Iran , Iraq , Israel , Jordan , Saudi Arabia , Syria , United Kingdom , United States , West Bank , Yemen

Topics: Combating Drugs and Crime, Countering Terrorism, Energy, Human Rights and Democracy

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Department of State Washington, DC December 7, 2014 Well, I could tell by the number of people who were dancing at your tables and by Jessye Norman’s and Herbie Hancock’s smile, that was pretty good. It was all right. (Laughter.) Anyway, they were great. (Applause.) I was waiting for “Anchors Aweigh” as they went out though; we didn’t get it. (Laughter.) Good evening and welcome, everybody, to the State Department. We are really privile...

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Regions: Algeria , China, United Kingdom , United States

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

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 6, 2014 The murder of Luke Somers by his captors during a rescue operation is a reminder of the brutality of the terrorists of Al-Qa’ida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). They have again demonstrated their cruelty and their disdain for human life, freedom, and the Yemeni people whom they terrorize daily. Earlier this week, AQAP released a video announcing that Luke would be murdered within 72 hours. Along with other information, ...

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Regions: United Kingdom , United States , Yemen

Topics: Countering Terrorism

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 5, 2014 On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I congratulate the people of Finland as you celebrate your Independence Day on December 6. The bond between our nations is strong and founded on our shared democratic principles and the lasting contributions of Americans of Finnish heritage. Your “ sisu” and vigorous entrepreneurial spirit are integral to your success and an inspiration to others. We...

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Regions: Finland , United States

Topics: Climate and Environment, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Energy