Secretary Remarks

Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Vienna, Austria

Vienna International Centre

Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Kingston, Jamaica

Pegasus Hotel

SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Mr. President, thank you.  Thank you for your leadership today, but thank you for your leadership every day, along with Prime Minister Holness for bringing us together today, all of the CARICOM heads of government for organizing the meeting, but also – and more important – for the sustained commitment that we’ve seen from everyone from around this table and people beyond this ta

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Regions: Haiti , United States

Topics: Energy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance

Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State Washington, D.C. QUESTION: Good morning, Mr. Secretary. There are reports this morning – I want to talk about North Korea first, before we get to China – that shots were fired from North Korea into a South Korean guard tower on the DMZ and that the South fired back after a warning. What can you tell us about that? SECRETARY POMPEO: Well, Martha, thanks for having me on this morning. I’ve seen that reporting, too. I’ve seen some of our internal information as well. W...

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Regions: China, Korea, North

Topics: Coronavirus (COVID-19), Global Health

May 31, 2012 to June 7, 2012 Travels With Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton Photos : Armenia  | Azerbaijan Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton traveled to Denmark , Norway , Sweden , Armenia , Georgia , Azerbaijan , and Turkey from May 31-June 7. In Copenhagen, Denmark, Secretary Clinton held bilateral meetings with senior Danish officials. She also participated in the kick-off event for Green Partnerships for Growth, a bilateral initiative to promote green technology t...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Armenia , Azerbaijan , Georgia , Iran , Norway , Syria , Turkey , United Kingdom

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

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

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

Topics: Energy, Global Health, Human Rights and Democracy

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

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Regions: Ethiopia , Libya , United States , Zambia

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

July 18, 2010 to July 23, 2010 Travels With Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton Photos ( Flickr ) : Pakistan | Afghanistan | Afghanistan (Flickr) | South Korea  | Vietnam Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton traveled to Pakistan , Republic of Korea , Vietnam and Afghanistan July 18-23. In Pakistan, Secretary Clinton consulted with government leaders on bilateral and regional issues and to participate with her delegation in a meeting of the bilateral Ministerial-level Strategic Dialo...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Denmark , Korea, South , Pakistan , Thailand , United States , Vietnam

Topics: Energy, Global Health, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance

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

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

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

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Davos, Switzerland January 17, 2017 MR SCHWAB: Good afternoon, and before we start our session – and I know, Mr. Secretary, you will be in very good hands with my friend Tom Friedman – but allow me to be very personal. It’s your last session in your official capacity here in Davos, and I want to use this opportunity to thank you. You have been such a great friend and partner of the World Economic Forum. You have been a personal mentor to me. I reme...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Antarctica, China, France , Iran , Israel , Jordan , Korea, North , Russia , Switzerland , Syria , United Kingdom , United States , Vietnam , West Bank , Yemen

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

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State U.S. Institute of Peace Washington, DC January 10, 2017 MS WOODRUFF: Thank you, Nancy. I’m delighted to be here and, Mr. Secretary, I understand you sprinted across the street. Is that right? SECRETARY KERRY: My sprinting days are reduced, but I came. I got here. (Laughter.) MS WOODRUFF: Well, there – you were spied hurrying, I’ll put it that way. SECRETARY KERRY: “Spied,” right. (Laughter.) MS WOODRUFF: So the format is that I’m ...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Argentina, China, Colombia , France , Iran , Iraq , Japan , Korea, North , Russia , Saudi Arabia , Syria , Tunisia , Turkey , Ukraine , United Kingdom , United States , Yemen

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

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

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

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

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

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

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Berlin, Germany December 5, 2016 MODERATOR: So my job is to introduce a man who needs no introduction. As I said in there, literally, the most consequential Secretary of State in my lifetime, which is longer than I think I would like to admit. (Laughter.) And when you just think about what this man has been able to accomplish, the impossible to the impossible to the impossible – whether it’s getting China to agree to carbon emission limits or putting tog...

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Regions: China, France , Germany , Greece , Iran , Israel , Italy , Syria , 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

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State German Ministry of Foreign Affairs Berlin, Germany December 5, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Well, I’m going to wear that around the office for the next three weeks and see if I get any respect at all. (Laughter.) Guten Abend . Danke . Vielen dank . Thank you all for this really absolutely extraordinary and completely unexpected gathering. I’m so privileged and grateful for all of you coming here to share in this special moment, this friendship between Federal R...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Antarctica, France , Germany , Greenland , Iran , Iraq , Israel , Italy , Kuwait , Russia , Switzerland , Syria , Tunisia , United Kingdom , United States , Yemen

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

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

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

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

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 Muscat, Oman November 14, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you, Marc, very, very much. Good morning, everybody. Assalamu alaykum. How are you? AUDIENCE: (In Arabic.) SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you very much. It may be – being Secretary of State may be more fun. I’m – after the last few days, I guess I’m re-convinced that it’s not more important. But I’ve been privileged, really privileged, to serve as Secretary and to work with extraordina...

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Regions: Iran , Oman , United States

Topics: Global Health

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Premier House Wellington, New Zealand November 13, 2016 PRIME MINISTER KEY: Okay, good morning. So we had a great opportunity to welcome Secretary Kerry to New Zealand and to catch up with him after his brief but I’m sure important trip down to Antarctica. Let me just start by saying what we’ve been saying for a very long period of time, that the relationship with the United States is probably in the best shape it’s been for decades. I think a grea...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Antarctica, Australia , China, Iraq , Nauru , New Zealand , Peru , United Kingdom , United States , Vietnam

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

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Loy Henderson Auditorium Washington, DC November 2, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Good morning. AUDIENCE: Good morning. SECRETARY KERRY: How are you doing? Everybody good? AUDIENCE: Yeah. Good. SECRETARY KERRY: Good. The loudest “yeah” was over here. Where are you from? QUESTION: Sri Lanka. SECRETARY KERRY: Sri Lanka. Well, you have reason to be loud. That’s good. I appreciate – Sri Lanka’s done some amazing things in the last years. So Evan, t...

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Regions: Afghanistan, China, France , Iran , Iraq , Italy , Kazakhstan , Libya , Russia , Syria , Tajikistan , United Kingdom , United States

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Treaty Room Washington, DC October 19, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you. Good afternoon, everybody. I want to start by welcoming my friend, Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se, back to Washington. He is here with Korean Defense Minister Han for the fourth U.S.-R.O.K. 2+2 discussion, as we call it. And this afternoon, joined by Defense Secretary Carter, we had a very productive discussion about our alliance and about the various possibilities that we face in terms of increa...

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Regions: China, Iran , Japan , Korea, North , Korea, South , Russia , United Kingdom , United States

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

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Lancaster House London, United Kingdom October 16, 2016 FOREIGN SECRETARY JOHNSON: Thank you. Good afternoon, everybody. Thank you very much for coming to Lancaster House. As you know, the conflict in Yemen is causing increasing international concern. The fatalities that we’re seeing there have become – I think they’re on an unacceptable level. And we’ve had a very good meeting today to discuss the way forward, and one of the things we think ...

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Regions: Oman , Saudi Arabia , United Kingdom , Yemen

Topics: Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance

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

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Regions: Honduras , Malawi , Tanzania , United States

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

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Palo Alto, California October 10, 2016 MS BOYD: So, Mr. Secretary, welcome to Silicon Valley and thank you for joining us today. SECRETARY KERRY: Happy to be here. Thank you. MS BOYD: I’m going to dive right in because we have a little bit less time than we planned. And I wanted to start with the big news from Friday. And since so much news broke on Friday, I should probably be a little more specific. (Laughter.) So on Friday, the Obama Administration official...

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Regions: Argentina, China, Cuba , France , Iran , Russia , United Kingdom , United States , Vietnam

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

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Concert Noble Brussels, Belgium October 4, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Well, je suis John Kerry. (Laughter.) Welcome. Karen, merci, danke schon, dank u wel , and thank you – I’m really delighted to be here in the heart of Europe. I’m delighted to be in this extraordinary library building of great history, and I thank you, all of you, for taking time to come and to listen and to share thoughts and engage in something of a dialogue – a little one-sid...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Belgium , China, Denmark , France , Germany , Iran , Russia , Syria , Ukraine , United Kingdom , United States , Vietnam

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

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

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

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

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Natural History Museum New York City September 19, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Buona sera a tutti . Good evening, everybody. (Applause.) I want to thank the voice of God for my introduction and share with you, all of you, how special it is to be here tonight at this really extraordinary gathering. Distinguished prime ministers, my colleague foreign ministers, distinguished ministers and distinguished guests all: We thank you for coming out. This is an extraordinary, impre...

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Regions: Afghanistan, China, Iran , Iraq , Italy , United Kingdom , United States

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

Interview John Kerry Secretary of State Georgetown University Washington, DC September 16, 2016 QUESTION: Thank you so much for taking the time to sit down and chat with us. I want to start off by talking about ocean health. You’ve been outspoken on this issue ever since you started as Secretary of State. You run the State Department, so connect the dots for me: Why does the State Department care about ocean health? SECRETARY KERRY: Because the State Department is responsible for relationships wit...

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Regions: Iran , Russia , Syria , 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 Loy Henderson Auditorium Washington, DC September 15, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Well, good afternoon, everybody. I hope you had a great lunch. And thank you for helping to make the morning as stimulating and informative as it was. How come all the cameras are out now? You didn’t do this when I was here earlier. (Laughter.) What’s going on here? Oh. A whole – (laughter) – I know a lot of you first came to know Leonardo DiCaprio as an image on a sc...

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Regions: Fiji , Kiribati , Madagascar , Palau

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

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC September 6, 2016 On behalf of President Obama and the American people, I congratulate the people of the Kingdom of Swaziland on your 48 th Independence Day. I commend the Government of Swaziland for its commitment to the health of its citizens. Health is an issue that touches every citizen of Swaziland, and we are pleased to have a long partnership with the Swazi Government on multiple critical health initiatives, including our shared goal of...

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

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

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

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State American Embassy School New Delhi, India August 31, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you. Thank you. Wow, thank you. How are you? AUDIENCE: Good. SECRETARY KERRY: Namaste. AUDIENCE: Namaste. SECRETARY KERRY: Nice to see everybody. Thank you very much. You guys staying dry? (Laughter.) I’ve been in a lot of floods – by the way, if your ambassador thinks an hour and a half in gridlock is quality time, he’s got to rethink (laughter) – anyway, I am re...

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

Topics: Countering Terrorism, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy

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...

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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

Press Availability John Kerry Secretary of State Edward M. Kennedy Center Dhaka, Bangladesh August 29, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Marcia, thank you very, very much. Join me, everybody, in expressing our gratitude – all of us – for the tremendous job that Ambassador Marcia Bernicat is doing here in Bangladesh. She has really been terrific. (Applause.) And I was about to say thank you to her outstanding team, because we all know it is a team effort. And I’m going to have a chance to be able t...

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Regions: Bangladesh , China, Iraq , Syria , United Kingdom , United States

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

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC August 29, 2016 A year ago, President Obama set the goal of welcoming at least 10,000 of the most vulnerable refugees fleeing the conflict in Syria to the United States. Today, by committing additional resources to our refugee admissions process and maintaining our rigorous screening process and commitment to the security of the American people, we have reached that goal. Since 1975, over 3.2 million refugees have joined the fabric of American...

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Regions: Syria , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance

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

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

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

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

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

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

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State 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

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Buenos Aires, Argentina August 4, 2016 (Applause.) Well, good morning. Good morning, everybody. Thank you very, very much. Thank you for the introduction. Thank you for being here. I’m really delighted to have a chance to be able to share a few thoughts with all of you this morning. My thanks to AmCham Argentina, to Manuel Aguirre, to Alejandro Diaz, and to Daniel Martin for making this event possible. I really appreciate it very, very much. And I want to than...

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Regions: Argentina, Belgium , Chile, United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Climate and Environment, 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 Ben Franklin Room Washington, DC August 2, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: (Applause.) Thank you very much, thank you. Thank you very much. Please, everybody, please take your seats. Welcome to the State Department, Mr. Prime Minister and Mrs. Lee; and Mr. Vice President, Dr. Biden; my counterpart, Foreign Minister Balakrishnan and Mrs. Balakrishnan, and distinguished guests all. We are really delighted to welcome you here this afternoon. Your Excellency, we have been very, v...

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Regions: China, Singapore , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy

Press Availability John Kerry Secretary of State National Convention Center Vientiane, Laos July 26, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Well, good afternoon, everybody. On behalf of President Obama and all of the American people, I want to express my deepest condolences to the families of those whose loved ones were killed in the horrific attack in Sagamihara, Japan this morning. And our thoughts and our prayers are very much with those people who are going through a terrible process. And our thoughts are with the J...

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Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Canadian Foreign Minister Stephane Dion, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Japanese State Minister Yoji Muto, Kuwait Foreign Minister Sabah Al Khalid Al Sabah, and Netherlands Foreign Minister Albert Gerard Koenders Dean Acheson Washington, DC July 20, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Well, good afternoon everyone and welcome. I’m (inaudible) looking forward to it. It’s just a opportunity for you to question our co-hosts and all of us with respect to...

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

Press Availability John Kerry Secretary of State Justus Lipsius Building Brussels, Belgium July 18, 2016 HIGH REPRESENTATIVE MOGHERINI: Thank you very much. John, welcome. It’s an honor and it’s been a pleasure to welcome you for the first time at the Foreign Affairs Council with the 28 foreign ministers of our union just a few days after our leaders summit in Warsaw, where we clearly reaffirmed that transatlantic unity has never been so important and so strong. And the EU-U.S. relationship ...

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Topics: Countering Terrorism, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Global Health, Human Rights and Democracy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance, Treaties and International Agreements

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC July 12, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you. Thank you, Shaarik and thank you, all distinguished guests, everybody, a very good evening to you. Assalamu alaikum . AUDIENCE: Assalamu alaikum . SECRETARY KERRY: Eid Mubarak . AUDIENCE: Eid Mubarak . SECRETARY KERRY: Very, very happy to have you here to celebrate this. I don’t know about Mandy’s prayer to God for my future. I thought he was – (laughter) – I thought he was on my side. ...

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Regions: Argentina, Greece , Syria , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Countering Terrorism, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance

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

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Regions: China, Cyprus , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Countering Terrorism, Science, Technology, and Innovation

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC July 11, 2016 On a day set aside to reflect on population issues pivotal to the health of the planet and our hopes for the future, we welcome this year’s theme, “investing in adolescent girls.” Adolescence can be a time of great promise, but for too many girls it is when choices vanish and doors slam shut – when they are forced to leave school, endure gender-based violence, or marry and bear children before they are rea...

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Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Embassy Tbilisi Tbilisi, Georgia July 7, 2016 AMBASSADOR KELLY: So, Mr. Secretary, this is your Tbilisi team working hard to keep America safe and helping Georgia become a independent and democratic nation. And Team Tbilisi, this your Secretary of State John Kerry. (Applause.) SECRETARY KERRY: Well, Ian, thank you very, very much. Gmadlobt , as I said earlier. Thank you. I’m really happy to be here with everybody. So many people. AMBASSADOR KELLY: This is abou...

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Regions: Georgia , Iraq , Libya , Sudan , Syria , United Kingdom

Topics: Global Health, Human Rights and Democracy

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Greenwald Pavilion, Aspen Institute Aspen, Colorado June 28, 2016 MR ISAACSON: Thank you very much. It’s a great honor and pleasure for us to have a man I’ve admired – most of us have admired – for many years, a man who – U.S. Naval, served in Vietnam, won the Purple Heart – I mean, three Purple Hearts, the bronze medal, the silver medal, has been a senator, candidate for president, and now our Secretary of State. In the past two ...

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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 London, United Kingdom June 27, 2016 FOREIGN SECRETARY HAMMOND: Good afternoon. I’m delighted to welcome Secretary Kerry today. His visit here just three days after the referendum result underlines the strength of the special relationship and indeed Britain’s many friendships around the world, and I very much appreciate him taking the time to visit with us today. The result last Friday is, of course, not the result that I wished for, and it means a diffi...

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

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Regions: United Kingdom , United States , Vietnam

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

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC June 21, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: (Applause.) Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you, thank you. Thank you. Thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen; I accept the nomination. (Applause.) Thank you. It doesn’t get better than that. That’s about the best – (laughter) – if I could bottle that, who knows? I could’ve been a contender. (Laughter.) It’s really great to be with all – I can’t believe you have al...

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Regions: Antarctica, China, Iran , Iraq , Libya , Syria , United States , Vietnam

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 Harry S. Truman Building Washington, DC June 20, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Well, welcome to the State Department. As you can all hear, my voice is ragged because I was in the Arctic two days ago and I got a little bit – guess what? It’s chilly up there, so – (laughter) – I got a little chilled. But welcome, we’re really happy to have you here. This is a terrific program which the Diplomacy Center sponsors and your colleges, universities are...

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Regions: Iran , Lebanon , Syria , Turkey , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance, The Ocean and Polar Affairs

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC June 20, 2016 Today, we honor refugees’ resilience and courage. We also recognize the tremendous contributions made by local and international non-governmental organizations on the front lines of delivering life-saving assistance. This year’s commemoration comes at a time when brutal conflicts are forcing record numbers of innocent people to flee, and challenging the world to find better ways to protect them. The war in Syria alone...

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Regions: Syria , United States , Yemen

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

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

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

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic June 14, 2016 Also available in Spanish . SECRETARY KERRY:   Good morning, buenos dias .  Mr. President, thank you for your consideration and I thank all my colleagues for their understanding.  I have to step out to do a video conference with the President and others, and I appreciate your understanding. Let me begin by thanking our hosts, President Medina of the Dominican Republic and Foreign Minister Navar...

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Regions: Colombia , Dominican Republic , Haiti , United States , Venezuela , Western Hemisphere

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

Photos from the trip» Secretary of State John Kerry traveled to Paris, France; Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia; and Beijing, China, June 2–8. Secretary Kerry traveled to Paris, France, June 2–4. The Secretary participated in the French-hosted ministerial on Middle East peace, and met separately with Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault to discuss the Counter-ISIL Coalition efforts in Iraq and Syria, as well as a host of other issues. The Secretary then traveled to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, where he m...

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Regions: China, France , Iraq , United States

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

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State National Museum Beijing, China June 7, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you very much, Madam Vice Premier. Look, at the outset, I want to make it clear to everybody that I was totally prepared to trade my speech for more singing. (Laughter.) I want to thank the Yale’s Spizzwinks, as they are known, and the Xinhua University acapella singers. My – the president of Yale, Peter Salovey, is sitting over here. Yale has a very active, engaged educational relationsh...

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Regions: China, United Kingdom , United States

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

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

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State 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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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

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Shangri La Hotel Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia June 5, 2016 AMBASSADOR GALT: (In progress) This is also different from our past meetings because we don’t have any tea or cookies. (Laughter.) But today you have the opportunity to meet with United States Secretary of State John Kerry, so I trust that makes up for the missing cookies. (Laughter.) It’s a great privilege to introduce Secretary Kerry to you, but before I do that, I thought I would quickly introduce yo...

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Regions: China, France , Iran , Korea, South , Mongolia , Russia , United Kingdom , United States

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

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia June 5, 2016 FOREIGN MINISTER PUREVSUREN: (Via interpreter) Good morning. On the invitation by the Mongolian Government, John Kerry, the Secretary, has been making state visit to Mongolia. Mongolia and the U.S. has – have been expanding its cooperation in a variety of sectors. From the beginning of the democratic movement in Mongolia, the U.S. was our partner, one of the most important, third neighbor of Mongol...

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Regions: Afghanistan, China, Kyrgyzstan , Mongolia , United States

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

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

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

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

Press Availability John Kerry Secretary of State Vienna, Austria May 17, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Well, good afternoon, everybody, and let me begin by thanking the Government of Austria again. They have very generously facilitated this latest meeting of the International Syria Support Group and they’ve facilitated two rounds before this. I want to express my appreciation to the co-chair of the task force, Sergey Lavrov, and to Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura. They have both been obviously integrally...

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Topics: Countering Terrorism, Energy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance

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

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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

Interview John Kerry Secretary of State U.S. Embassy London, United Kingdom May 10, 2016 QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, welcome back to the program. SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you. Happy to be here. QUESTION: You have just announced that you are signing, have signed another attempt to gain a nationwide cessation of hostilities in Syria. How do you think that’s going to work any better than the previous one? SECRETARY KERRY: Well, we’re building on the experience of the previous one. I can’t sit ...

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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 Ben Franklin Room Washington, DC May 3, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Muchas gracias . Thank you very, very much. Mr. presidents, distinguished prime ministers, ministers of everything – (laughter) – minister de todos , whatever you – but you’re masters at many, many things here – and distinguished ambassadors, distinguished guests all, we are very, very grateful to you for being here. And I can actually feel an energy in here. I’m &ndash...

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Regions: Canada , Chile, Jamaica , Mexico , Tunisia , 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

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State President Wilson Hotel Geneva, Switzerland May 2, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Well, good afternoon, everybody. I’m very appreciative to Staffan de Mistura, the United Nations envoy to Syria, for his tremendous work and his efforts over the last months to help to bring life to a political process in the midst of a conflict that is in many ways out of control and deeply disturbing to everybody in the world, I hope. The cessation of hostilities that we were able to neg...

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Regions: Iran , Russia , Switzerland , Syria , United States

Topics: Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC April 28, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: (Applause.) Arnie, thank you very, very much. Good morning, everybody. How are you doing? We’ve never been better off than with all of these part-time employees. (Laughter.) He wants to work here; he does work here. Ladies and gentlemen, this is not a diplomat, this is a diplo-mutt. (Laughter.) And he’s great. He’s a lot of fun. He’s met a lot of prime ministers and foreign ministers, and they&rs...

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Regions: Canada , China, France , Iran , Korea, North , Syria , United Kingdom , United States , Yemen

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

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State LBJ Presidential Library at the University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX April 27, 2016 MR BARNES: Thank you very much, President Fenves. It’s my pleasure this evening to introduce our Secretary of State, my friend Secretary John Kerry. As he prepares to speak tonight, I’m reminded of the many years of dedication and service that he has brought to our country. Before graduating from Yale University, Secretary Kerry voluntarily enlisted in the United Stat...

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

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

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

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Regions: Kenya , United Kingdom , United States

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

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State United States Embassy Kabul, Afghanistan April 9, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: He’s going to spare me of a long intro. We’re running about two hours plus behind, and probably some of you have spent some of that two hours hanging around here waiting, and I really appreciate it. Thank you very, very much. First of all, let me begin by saying a profound thank you to our ambassador, to Mike McKinley and to Fatima. We are so appreciative for both of you for your ser...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Poland , United States

Topics: Countering Terrorism

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

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Regions: Nigeria , Tunisia , United Kingdom , United States

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

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

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

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

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

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Bill Burns Auditorium Washington, DC March 15, 2016 Thank you very, very much.  Thank you so much.  You went from total silence to an unbelievable welcome.  Thank you.  (Laughter.)  I’m really very, very appreciative, deeply appreciative.  When I came in here, I said that I had a big pair of heels to fill.  (Laughter.)  And in fact, I think there was a certain question of whether or not we could prove that a man could ac...

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Testimony John Kerry Secretary of State Opening Remarks Before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs Washington, DC February 25, 2016 Well, Mr. Chairman, thank you very much. Ranking Member Engel, all the members of the committee, I’m privileged to be here to have a chance to present the 2017 budget and to answer your questions. And obviously I know most of them will be sort of more with respect to policy, et cetera. But I will try to be very rapid in this opening. First, our request for resource...

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

Testimony John Kerry Secretary of State Opening Remarks Before the Senate Appropriations Committee on Foreign Operations Washington, DC February 24, 2016 CHAIRMAN GRAHAM: Well, Mr. Secretary, we look forward to your testimony. Assuming that you’re not chosen by Trump to be Secretary of State, this would be your last appearance, so with that in mind, proceed. SENATOR MIKULSKI: Welcome back from another trouble spot. (Laughter.) SECRETARY KERRY: I’m going to leave that one alone, Mr. Chairman....

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

Testimony John Kerry Secretary of State Opening Remarks Before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Washington, DC February 23, 2016 Well, Mr. Chairman, thank you.  Senator Cardin, all my former colleagues and friends on the committee, I’m really happy to be here.  I think we have a chance to have a very important conversation, and I appreciate both of your opening comments very, very much, both in tone and tenor. And I want to begin just by thanking all of you.  I know it’s...

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

Interview John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC February 17, 2016 AMBASSADOR CHACON: I’m Arnold Chacon, director general of the Foreign Service and director of Human Resources at the Department of State. In this edition of Conversations on Leadership, it’s a real privilege and honor to host Secretary John Kerry in conversation with one of our emerging leaders in the department, Ms. Michelle Los Banos, a midlevel Foreign Service officer and former Pickering Fellow who works in my offic...

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Regions: Cuba , Iran , Nepal , Philippines , United Kingdom , United States , Western Hemisphere

Topics: Arms Control and Nonproliferation, Global Health

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

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

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

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State U.S. Embassy Phnom Penh Phnom Penh, Cambodia January 26, 2016 AMBASSADOR HEIDT: Hi you guys, are you ready to hear from the Secretary of State? (Applause.) Mr. Secretary, this is a very enthusiastic crowd. Standing before you is a good chunk of Embassy Phnom Penh’s 786 employees. SECRETARY KERRY: Wow. AMBASSADOR HEIDT: That’s hard-working and talented employees. That’s 132 American staff, 653 Cambodians, and 1 third-country national. And we’r...

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Regions: Cambodia , United Kingdom

Topics: Climate and Environment, Global Health

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

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

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

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

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

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

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...

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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

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...

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

Topics: Countering Terrorism, Energy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Topics: Countering Terrorism

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

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

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

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

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

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