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The Week at State  |  August 1-7

Take a look at The Week at State video for a review of key events of the past week, when Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken participated in the Tenth Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference at the United Nations and traveled to Phnom Penh, Cambodia to participate in the U.S.-ASEAN Ministerial Meeting, the East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers' Meeting, and the ASEAN Regional Forum. U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield addressed global food security while on travel to Accra, Ghana. Visit our YouTube channel for more videos.

Secretary Blinken Travels to the Indo-Pacific and Africa

Secretary of State Blinken is traveling to Cambodia, the Philippines, South Africa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Rwanda August 2-12. From August 3-5, he was in Cambodia, where he participated in the U.S.-ASEAN Ministerial Meeting, the East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers' Meeting, and the ASEAN Regional Forum. In the Philippines, on August 6, the Secretary met with President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. and Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo. He then continued to South Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Rwanda. Read more on the trip page on State.gov.

Secretary Blinken in Cambodia

In the ASEAN Ministerial Meetings, Secretary Blinken emphasized the United States' commitment to ASEAN centrality and successful implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific. He also met with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and gave remarks at the AmCham Exchange's Agribusiness Showcase and Announcement of Food Security Funding. In addition, Secretary Blinken engaged with alumni of the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI).

Secretary Blinken in the Philippines

Secretary Blinken met with President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. and Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo to discuss bilateral efforts to strengthen the U.S.-Philippines alliance, including through increased cooperation on energy, trade, and investment, advancing our shared democratic values, and pandemic recovery.

Secretary Blinken's New Spotify Playlist: South Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Rwanda

"Join me on my official travels to South Africa, the DRC, and Rwanda. When on the road, I always enjoy sharing one of my favorite aspects of diplomacy: celebrating our countries' shared ties through culture and music," Secretary Blinken on Twitter. Take a listen to Secretary Blinken's newest travel playlist.

United with Ukraine 

New Military Assistance for Ukraine

"@SecBlinken announced a drawdown of new U.S. military assistance for Ukraine, including more HIMARS and artillery ammunition that is making a difference on the battlefield. Ukraine's defenders are standing strong, and we stand united with them," Department Spokesperson Ned Price on Twitter. Read Secretary Blinken's press statement on this new assistance.

Global Food Security

Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield's Vision for Peace and Food Security in Africa

"Energy, climate, COVID, and conflict combine into a complex cocktail that has led to the worst hunger crisis of our lifetimes. This kind of unprecedented global crisis calls for an unprecedented global response," U.S. Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield from her Keynote Address in Ghana. You can watch her keynote address, and read the transcript. She also announced nearly $150 million in new support for Africa. Read the fact sheet on food security assistance to Sub-Saharan Africa.

Peace and Security

United Nations Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference

"The Non-Proliferation Treaty has been an irreplaceable and vital component of a global rules-based order for half a century. It remains a cornerstone of the nuclear nonproliferation regime and the foundation for the pursuit of nuclear disarmament and peaceful uses of nuclear technology," Secretary Blinken on Twitter. Read Secretary Blinken's remarks at the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference.

G7 Statement on Taiwan Strait

"I join my fellow G7 foreign ministers in reaffirming our shared commitment to maintaining the rules-based international order, peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and beyond," Secretary Blinken on Twitter. Read the G7 Foreign Ministers' Statement on Preserving Peace and Stability Across the Taiwan Strait.

Countering Terrorism

The Death of Ayman al-Zawahiri

"We have delivered on our commitment to act against terrorist threats emanating from Afghanistan. The world is safer following the death of al Qa'ida leader Ayman al-Zawahiri. The U.S. will continue to act against those who threaten our country, our people, or our allies," Secretary Blinken on Twitter. Read the Secretary's press statement on the death of Ayman al-Zawahiri.

Global Health

National Immunization Awareness Month

August is National Immunization Awareness Month! Immunizations play a vital part in protecting your health, because no one is safe until we are all safe. Check out Vaccines.gov for tools and resources on COVID-19 and other diseases. "The COVID-19 pandemic, the rise of Monkeypox, and Polio being detected on our shores for the first time in decades remind us that we have the power to protect ourselves and our communities through on-time vaccination," Secretary Blinken on Twitter.

This Week

August 9: International Day of World's Indigenous Peoples

August 9-12: Special Advisor on International Disability Rights Sara Minkara will travel to Bucharest, Romania and Chisinau, Moldova

Looking Ahead

September 20-27: United Nations General Assembly High-Level Week

November 6-18: COP27 Conference

December 13-15: U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit

Useful links

• News, information, and guidance about the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
• Travel advisories and updates on international travel for U.S. Citizens from the Department of State
• Did you know that you can invite a representative from the Department of State to speak at your school, business, agency or organization? Learn about what we do through the firsthand experience of one of our representatives. 

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