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The Week at State | October 23-30 |
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 In “The Week at State,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken addresses the UN Security Council on the situation in the Middle East, international delegates tackle global food insecurity at the World Food Prize’s Borlaug Dialogue, and President Joe Biden hosts Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for a State Visit. Head over to state.gov for more.
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Secretary Blinken Addresses the United Nations Security Council
 On October 24, Secretary Blinken addressed the UN Security Council about the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.
“Let’s not forget that among the more than 1,400 people Hamas killed on October 7 were citizens from more than 30 UN member states, including many of the members around this very table.,” Secretary Blinken said. “The victims included at least 33 American citizens. Every one of us has a stake, every one of us has a responsibility, in defeating terrorism.”
While at the UN, Secretary Blinken met with senior officials from Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Libya, the Palestinian Authority, Sauid Arabia, the UAE, and the Arab League. The Secretary condemned Hamas for its abhorrent terrorist attacks, reaffirmed Israel’s right to self-defense, and discussed ongoing efforts to secure the release of hostages, prevent the conflict from spreading, and deliver humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza.
Read his full remarks or watch his address online.
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Alliances and Partnerships
Australia State Visit
The United States and Australia celebrated their enduring alliance as Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited the U.S. for a State Visit.
“Time and time again we’ve seen what America and Australia can do when we stand as one,” President Biden said in his remarks, October 26. Our alliance is “marked by imagination, ingenuity, and innovation.”
During the Prime Minister’s visit, the United States and Australia signed the U.S.-Australia Technology Safeguards Agreement. The Agreement provides the legal and technical framework for U.S. space launches from Australian spaceports while ensuring proper handling of sensitive technology.
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Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy
World Food Prize
China
Meeting with PRC Foreign Minister
Secretary Blinken held a series of constructive and in-depth meetings with the People's Republic of China Director and Foreign Minister Wang. The two officials met for more than seven hours over two days and discussed a wide range of topics including the global flow of synthetic drugs, people-to-people exchanges, concerns about PRC human rights violations in Xinjiang, Tibet, and Hong Kong, and the PRC’s dangerous and unlawful actions around the Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea.
“It is important to maintain open lines of communication to responsibly manage competition with the PRC,” State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said on Twitter/X.
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Holidays and Commemorations
International Religious Freedom Day
On International Religious Freedom Day, the State Department reaffirmed the United States’ strong and enduring commitment to advancing religious freedom for everyone, everywhere.
Twenty-five years ago, when President Clinton signed the International Religious Freedom Act into law, he noted, “When we promote religious freedom, we also promote freedom of expression, conscience, and association, and other human rights.”
Peace and Security
Sudan Peace Talks
The United States, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD) reconvened ceasefire talks between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
“Sudan’s civilians must be the ones to define Sudan’s path going forward,” the State Department said in a press statement. “There is no acceptable military solution to this conflict. We call upon the SAF and RSF to approach the talks constructively, with the imperative to save lives, reduce the fighting, and create a path to a negotiated exit from the conflict.“
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