View as a webpage  /  Share

December 27, 2024 - January 2, 2025

It’s been a busy year! Check out some of our most significant favorite moments and accomplishments from 2024. 

Here’s what happened at State this past week. ⤵️

• 🇺🇸 We honored former President Carter’s extraordinary legacy.
• 🌏 Members of the Quad — Australia, Japan, India, and the U.S. — marked 20 years of partnership.
• 🤝 We announced new aid to Ukraine.

Remembering a Life of Service and Compassion

Secretary Blinken honored the life and legacy of former President Jimmy Carter, who passed away on December 29.

The Secretary credited President Carter’s “tireless and principled diplomacy” for brokering a peace deal between Israel and Egypt, establishing arms control agreements with the Soviet Union, and securing the return of the Panama Canal to Panama.

President Biden recalled President Carter’s extraordinary service during and following his presidency. “With his compassion and moral clarity, he worked to eradicate disease, forge peace, advance civil rights and human rights, promote free and fair elections, house the homeless, and always advocate for the least among us.”

President Biden announced the closure of all executive agencies, including the State Department, on January 9 as a mark of respect.

The Quad Marks 20 Years of Cooperation

Secretary Blinken joined the foreign ministers of Quad partners Australia, Japan, and India to mark 20 years of cooperation. The four countries first came together as the Quad in 2004 to respond to the Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami that claimed nearly a quarter of a million lives.

“What began as an emergency response has grown into a full-fledged partnership,” they said in a joint statement. “We share a vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific that is peaceful, stable, and prosperous.”

New Aid for Ukraine

President Biden announced nearly $2.5 billion in security assistance for Ukraine, providing air defense, artillery, and other critical weapons systems. 

“The United States will continue to work relentlessly to strengthen Ukraine’s position in this war over the remainder of my time in office,” he said.

Secretary Blinken hailed the announcement, noting “the United States and more than 50 nations stand united with Ukraine.”

News You May Have Missed

• The Secretary continued pressing for results in Syria and the Middle East, holding calls with French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. 
• We released helpful hints for travelers planning to travel internationally in the new year.
• Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard Verma reflected on initiatives that are strengthening U.S. diplomacy as part of our Modernization Agenda.
• January is Human Trafficking Prevention Month and this year marks the 25th anniversary of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act.

🔎 Looking Ahead

• January 9: Day of Remembrance for Former President Jimmy Carter
• January 20: Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
• January 20: Inauguration Day
• February 17: George Washington’s Birthday

👉 Note to Our Readers

We welcome your feedback on this newsletter. Send us your thoughts to EmailTeam@state.gov. 📩

Useful links

• 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. 

Manage Subscriptions  |  Unsubscribe All  |  Help
Privacy Policy