Department of State Press Releases

Arms Control and International Security: Sixty-Ninth UNGA First Committee Thematic Discussion on Conventional Weapons

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I will address several separate issues in this statement – the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) and Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (LAWS), conventional weapons destruction, small arms …

Arms Control and International Security: Sixty-Ninth UNGA First Committee Thematic Discussion on Nuclear Weapons

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In June of last year in Berlin, President Obama reaffirmed his commitment to the goal of a world without nuclear weapons. The United States continues to undertake mutually reinforcing steps in pursuit of that goal, knowing that …

Arms Control and International Security: Ambassador Scheinman Travels to New York for Meetings on NPT RevCon

Arms Control and International Security: Under Secretary Gottemoeller Travels to Utah and Massachusetts

Rose Gottemoeller, Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, will visit universities in Utah and Massachusetts from October 20-24. On October 20, Under Secretary Gottemoeller will visit Dixie State University in Saint George, …

Arms Control and International Security: Under Secretary Wendy R. Sherman To Deliver Remarks on the P5+1 Iran Nuclear Negotiations

On Thursday, October 23, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Wendy R. Sherman will deliver a keynote address on the EU-coordinated P5+1 nuclear negotiations with Iran during a two-day symposium organized by Syracuse University’s Moynihan …

Arms Control and International Security: Statement by the U.S. Delegation to the Seventy-Seventh Session of the Executive Council

Mr. Chairman, We meet under the shadow of the first confirmed use of chemical weapons by a State Party to the Convention, the Syrian Arab Republic. Our first test in confronting that reality was the Council’s discussion on September 26, sixteen days after …

Arms Control and International Security: Promoting the Long-Term Sustainability and Security of the Space Environment

Good morning. I am very pleased to be here today in Tokyo to discuss space security in one of the most dynamic and important regions of the world. I would like to thank my fellow co-hosts, the Government of Japan and the Government of Indonesia, for all of …

Arms Control and International Security: 69th United Nations General Assembly First Committee General Debate

As Delivered Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Congratulations, Ambassador Courtenay Rattray, on your election as Chair of the First Committee during its 69th session. The United States pledges to support your leadership and the work of this committee. We are sure …

Arms Control and International Security: Department of State Engages European Allies on Defense Trade

Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Ken Handelman, with Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Administration Kevin Wolf, traveled to Brussels September 29-30 to meet with European and NATO counterparts, as well as …

Arms Control and International Security: Global Peace Operations Initiative

The Global Peace Operations Initiative (GPOI) is a U.S. Government-funded security assistance program working to meet the growing global demand for specially trained personnel to conduct international peace operations by building the capabilities of U.S. …

Arms Control and International Security: Bosnia and Herzegovina Steps Forward as a Contributor to International Peacekeeping, in ...

The United States congratulates Bosnia and Herzegovina for becoming the first European partner in the U.S. Department of State-led Global Peace Operations Initiative (GPOI) to achieve the significant milestone of Full Training Capability, establishing the …

Arms Control and International Security: Background Briefing on P5+1 Trilateral Meeting With EU High Representative Ashton and ...

MODERATOR: Thank you. This is, as it always is, on background, senior Administration officials. You all know, I think, our officials up here. I will turn it over to [Senior Administration Official] in a second to get some opening remarks, and then we will …

Arms Control and International Security: Remarks At The Friends of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Ministerial

Thank you, Fumio. Thank you very, very much. Mr. Secretary-General, let me begin by thanking you for an extraordinary week here at the United Nations. I think this has been an UNGA that’s been as seized with the issues of the day as forcefully and as …

Arms Control and International Security: Under U.S. Leadership, World Will Defeat ISIS

The United States has long faced threats from a lethal brand of terrorism that perverts one of world’s great religions. We have been relentless in targeting Al Qaeda and its affiliates, but the Islamic State, also known as ISIS or ISIL, now poses a …

Arms Control and International Security: Remarks at IAEA General Conference

(As Delivered) Agenda Item 20 Israeli Nuclear Capabilities The United States regrets that the resolution on Israeli Nuclear Capabilities was once again introduced in the General Conference. We welcome the fact it was voted down, but we do not celebrate. …

Arms Control and International Security: Global Counterterroism Forum Co-Chairs': About the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF)

The GCTF is an informal, multilateral counterterrorism (CT) platform that focuses on identifying critical civilian CT needs, mobilizing the necessary expertise and resources to address such needs and enhance global cooperation. Launched at a ministerial …

Arms Control and International Security: U.S. Landmine Policy

Today, the United States underscored its commitment to the spirit and humanitarian aims of the Ottawa Convention, the treaty that prohibits the use, stockpiling, production, and transfer of anti-personnel landmines. In a significant step forward, the …

Arms Control and International Security: Interview on MSNBC's Morning Joe

QUESTION: Joining us now on set, the Secretary of State John Kerry. Great to have you on board, sir. SECRETARY KERRY: Good to be here. Thank you. Good to be back. QUESTION: Let’s start with a kind of overarching question here: Who is in the coalition in …

Arms Control and International Security: OPCW Report and Ongoing Concerns with Chemical Weapons Use in Syria

The OPCW’s Fact-Finding Mission investigating chlorine use in Syria recently released a second interim report that concludes with a high degree of confidence that chlorine was used as a weapon “systematically and repeatedly” in attacks on three villages in …

Arms Control and International Security: Background Briefing on P5+1Talks

MODERATOR: Welcome. For those of you who I don't know, I’m [Moderator]. This will be all on background tonight with no embargo. So you know who’s up here – obviously not for reporting – this will be all be attributed to senior Administration officials, …