Foreign Affairs

President Biden to Nominate Dr. Arati Prabhakar to Lead Office of Science and Technology Policy

Former Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and National Institute of Standards and Technology leader would make history as the first woman, immigrant, or person of color confirmed to head OSTP Today, President Biden announced his intent to nominate Dr. Arati Prabhakar to serve as Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), and...

Updated: Tue Jun 21 2022

Press Release: Bill Signed: S. 1097, S. 2520, and S. 3823

On Tuesday, June 21, 2022, the President signed into law: S. 1097, the "Federal Rotational Cyber Workforce Program Act of 2021," which establishes a Federal rotational cyber workforce program for the Federal cyber workforce; Thank you to Senators Peters, Hoeven, and Rosen and Representatives Khanna and Mace for their leadership. S. 2520, the "State and...

Updated: Tue Jun 21 2022

Readout of President Biden's Call with President Pedro Sánchez of Spain

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. and President Pedro Sánchez of Spain spoke today about preparations for the NATO Summit, which will be held in Madrid on June 29-30, 2022. The leaders welcomed the opportunity to see each other on the upcoming trip. President Biden thanked President Sánchez for Spain's hosting of the summit, at which Allies...

Updated: Tue Jun 21 2022

Readout of President Biden's Call with President-Elect Gustavo Petro of Colombia

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. spoke with President-elect Gustavo Petro today to congratulate him and Vice President-elect Francia Marquez on their election. President Biden commended the Colombian people for holding free and fair elections and reaffirmed U.S. support for Colombia. He underscored that he looks forward to working with the President-elect to continue strengthening bilateral...

Updated: Tue Jun 21 2022

Remarks by President Biden on COVID-19 Vaccines for Children Under Five

Roosevelt Room 3:55 P.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. Thanks. As you can tell, I didn't want to leave the clinic. Those children were wonderful. Thank you, Arseme [sic] - Arsema, and - for that introduction. And Jill and I were honored to visit your clinic today. We met with your fellow nurses...

Updated: Tue Jun 21 2022

Statement by NSC Spokesperson Adrienne Watson on Changes to U.S. Anti-Personnel Landmine Policy

Today, the Biden-Harris Administration is announcing an important step to limit the United States' use of anti-personnel landmines. At the President's direction, the United States will align its policy concerning use of these weapons outside of the Korean Peninsula with key provisions of the Ottawa Convention, the international treaty prohibiting the use, stockpiling, production, and transfer of anti-personnel landmines. Additionally, the President will prohibit the development, production,...

Updated: Tue Jun 21 2022

Ukraine - Ratification of Istanbul Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (20 Ju

France welcomes the Ukrainian Parliament's ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, better known as the Istanbul Convention. As women and girls are particularly vulnerable in periods of conflict, this decision, which comes a month after the Council of Europe Secretary General's visit to Kyiv, reflects the Ukrainian parliamentarians and authorities' commitment to the rights of women and girls. Ukraine thus (...)

Updated: Tue Jun 21 2022

European Union - Mme Catherine Colonna's participation in the Foreign Affairs Council (Luxembourg, 20 Jun. 2022)

Mme Catherine Colonna, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, is taking part today in the European Union's Foreign Affairs Council. Ahead of the European Council of 23 and 24 March, and building on the French President's visit to Romania, Moldova and Ukraine last week, the Minister will recall that France is in favour of immediately granting candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova, accompanied by a road map. She will signal the importance of continuing support for Ukraine on every level - (...)

Updated: Mon Jun 20 2022

FATF - Withdrawal of some of Russia's rights and privileges (20 Jun. 2022)

France welcomes the adoption by the FATF, the intergovernmental organization tasked with combating money laundering and terrorism financing, of a robust package of measures withdrawing many privileges from Russia as a member of the FATF, following its plenary meeting on 16 June. For example, Russia, which remains a member of the organization, is no longer able to take part in the FATF's key work of assessing countries and including them on the list, or defining international standards. Nor (...)

Updated: Mon Jun 20 2022

Lebanon - Special Tribunal for Lebanon's verdict on the assassination of Rafik Hariri (16 Jun. 2022)

France welcomes the action of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL), which on 16 June 2022 sentenced on appeal the defendants Mr Merhi and Mr Oneissi (?)in relation to the main case concerning the assassination of Mr Rafik Hariri. The decision was expected not only by the victims' families but also by the international community. The verdict must now be fully executed. France reiterates its steadfast commitment to the fight against impunity worldwide. Since its creation by United Nations (...)

Updated: Mon Jun 20 2022

Statement by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. on World Refugee Day 2022

Today, on World Refugee Day, I join people around the world in recognizing the strength, resilience, and humanity of the millions of refugees forced to flee violence, persecution, and war. This is also a moment to honor the incredible generosity of host communities, the private sector, and state and local government across the United States...

Updated: Mon Jun 20 2022

United Nations - France utterly condemns the attack on MINUSMA (20 Jun. 2022)

France utterly condemns the attack on the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) in Kidal on 19 June 2022, which claimed the life of a Guinean Blue Helmet. France extends its condolences to the deceased soldier's loved ones and to the Guinean authorities. France pays tribute to MINUSMA's commitment. It points out with the greatest concern that this is the third deadly attack carried out against the United Nations mission since 1 June 2022 and that (...)

Updated: Mon Jun 20 2022

United Nations - International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict (19 Jun. 2022)

On the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, France reiterates that it utterly condemns this violence, everywhere and in all circumstances, whether it is used as a method or weapon of war, torture or terror. France is taking resolute action to combat this violence. It is providing financial support of ?6.2 million (2020-2022) to the Global Fund for Survivors of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence, a fund set up by Dr Mukwege and Ms Nadia Murad, (...)

Updated: Mon Jun 20 2022

United Nations - World Refugee Day (20 Jun. 2022)

Today, on World Refugee Day, France was most deeply concerned to learn of the communiqué issued by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), which indicates that 100 million people have been displaced worldwide due to persecution, conflict, violence or human-rights violations. Faced with this unprecedented figure, which represents so many tragic situations for people who are subjected to these forced displacements, France reaffirms its commitment to taking in, (...)

Updated: Mon Jun 20 2022

FACT SHEET: The Biden-Harris Administration Advances Equity and Opportunity for Black Americans and Communities Across the C

From the first day in office and every day since, the Biden-Harris Administration has taken an historic approach to advancing racial equity, including directing every agency across the whole of the federal government to address the lasting impacts of systemic racism on Black communities. For generations, entrenched disparities in our society and economy, at times...

Updated: Sun Jun 19 2022

Statement by President Joe Biden on Juneteenth

One year ago, I had the great honor of signing legislation to establish Juneteenth as a national holiday-the first new federal holiday since Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day nearly four decades ago. Juneteenth marks both the long, hard night of slavery and subjugation and a promise of a brighter morning to come. It is a day of...

Updated: Sun Jun 19 2022

Chair's Summary of the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate Held by President Joe Biden

On June 17, 2022, President Biden convened his third Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate (MEF) to build on the progress achieved at COP 26 by further strengthening climate action while also addressing urgent energy and food security concerns arising from Russia's further invasion of Ukraine. Participants shared steps they are taking to strengthen their national climate efforts, and...

Updated: Sat Jun 18 2022

Statement by NSC Spokesperson on National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Meeting with Foreign Minister Aïssata Tall Sall of

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met yesterday with Foreign Minister Aïssata Tall Sall of Senegal at the White House. Mr. Sullivan affirmed the Administration's commitment to partnering with Senegal and the African Union to tackle shared global challenges. The National Security Advisor and Foreign Minister discussed the devastating impact of Russia's war on Ukraine on...

Updated: Sat Jun 18 2022

Statement by President Biden on the First COVID-19 Vaccines for Kids Under 5

Today is a monumental step forward in our nation's fight against the virus, with virtually every American now eligible for the protections that COVID-19 vaccines provide. After a rigorous and independent scientific review, the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have now authorized and recommended the first COVID-19 vaccines for kids...

Updated: Sat Jun 18 2022

Democratic Republic of the Congo - Deterioration of the situation in the east of the country (17 Jun. 2022)

France is concerned by the deterioration of the situation in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and its implications for the entire region's stability. We strongly condemn the activities and violence carried out by armed groups, in particular, the recent offensives by the March 23 Movement (M23). We also condemn the strikes that hit Rwanda. France calls on all of the armed groups, including the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), to cease all forms of (...)

Updated: Fri Jun 17 2022

FACT SHEET: The Biden-Harris Administration's Progress Addressing the Infant Formula Shortage

On Friday, June 17th, Vice President Harris will travel to Dulles International Airport to announce the arrival of over 14,000 pounds of Kendamil infant formula-the equivalent of more than 200,000 8-ounce bottles of formula-that will be used to add more supply to shelves. This shipment is the latest through the Biden-Harris Administration's Operation Fly Formula,...

Updated: Fri Jun 17 2022

Moldova - Q&A (17 Jun. 2022)

Q: I have a question on Moldova: Following President Macron's visit to Chi?in?u, what new assurances did the EU - or France, on a bilateral basis - provide on the country's security and its path toward EU candidacy? A: Please refer to the statements President Macron made during his visit to Chi?in?u.

Updated: Fri Jun 17 2022