Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will deliver remarks at the 41st Washington Conference on the Americas, co-hosted by the U.S. Department of State and Council of the Americas, at approximately 9:20 a.m. on May 11, 2011, at the U.S. Department of State. The Secretary's remarks will be live-streamed on www.state.gov and DipNote.
This year's conference, "Opportunities in a Changing Americas," will also feature remarks by President Felipe Calderón Hinojosa of Mexico, President Mauricio Funes of El Salvador, Minister of Finance Juan Carlos Echeverry of Colombia, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, Senator John McCain of Arizona and Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs Arturo Valenzuela.… more »
Earlier today, Under Secretary William J. Burns signed an Open Skies Air Transport agreement with Colombian Foreign Minister Maria Angela Holguin. Signing this agreement not only demonstrates the excellent state of our bilateral relations, but also holds the promise of an even closer partnership between our two countries. Open Skies will strengthen and expand already strong linkages between us, benefiting U.S. and Colombian businesses and travelers by expanding air service and encouraging vigorous price competition by airlines, while safeguarding aviation safety and security.
Consumers and businesses will begin seeing the benefits of this agreement almost immediately. Colombia is a major aviation partner of the United States; every year more than two million passengers travel between our two countries. In fact, the United States is Colombia's top aviation market, and… more »
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton delivered remarks at the inaugural meeting of the Advisory Committee for the 100,000 Strong Initiative on May 10, 2011. Secretary Clinton said the initiative is "an essential building block to a more solid foundation of a relationship going forward." She said that despite the improvements in communication, there is still a lot to be learned between our two nations.
Secretary Clinton said, "...I was struck when we did the Shanghai Expo Pavilion, which when I became Secretary of State was not anywhere in any briefing book that I was given, and I have to confess I didn't even know about it until I was in China in February of '09 on my very first trip at a very formal consultation with the foreign minister and other dignitaries… more »
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton delivered remarks at the U.S.-China EcoPartnerships Signing Ceremony at the Department of State on May 10, 2011. She was joined by Chinese Vice Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission Minister Xie Zhenhua. Secretary Clinton underscored how the program will help us solve some of our most profound environmental challenges, while also creating new jobs in both the United States and China.
Secretary Clinton said, "We are very committed to this relationship, and we know it needs to expand beyond the government-to-government conversations. We need to harness the unique skills of both of our cities, our states, our universities, our private companies, our civil societies to find solutions to common problems. That is especially true when it comes to clean energy, energy security, environmental stability, and climate… more »
The May 15 application deadline is fast approaching to represent the United States at the UNESCO Youth Forum, a unique gathering of young people from around the world to discuss challenges facing future generations.
The United States is seeking qualified American applicants available for travel to Paris in mid-October to represent us. This is an amazing opportunity to gain first-hand diplomatic experience, exchanging views and sharing experiences with youth from over 80 countries! It is also an excellent opportunity for us to hear from you. Applications will include a written or YouTube response to the question: "What is the greatest global challenge facing youth, and how can American youth help to address it?" We hope to post many… more »
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton delivered remarks at the Strategic Track Plenary Session One of the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue on May 9, 2011. Secretary Clinton was joined by Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo at the Department of State in Washington, DC. The Secretary and State Councilor discussed a wide variety of issues including climate change, clean energy initiatives, and critical energy security issues.
Secretary Clinton said, "We are delighted to have this expanded meeting on a number of critical issues, and it is, for us, an opportunity to continue deepening and broadening the very cooperative, comprehensive efforts that we've undertaken in these Strategic and Economic Dialogues. We want to sustain momentum from the work and direction of our two presidents, and we have a lot of ground to cover this afternoon.
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton delivered remarks at the Opening Session of the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue (S&ED) on May 9, 2011. Vice President Joseph Biden, Secretary Clinton, and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner were joined for the Dialogue by the Chinese Co-Chairs, Vice Premier Wang Qishan, and State Councilor Dai Bingguo, for the third joint meeting of the U.S.-China S&ED in Washington, D.C., May 9-10.
Secretary Clinton said, "The Strategic and Economic Dialogue is the premier forum in a bilateral relationship that is as important and complex as any in the world. Since we first gathered in Washington back in 2009, the depth and breadth of our discussions and the participation across our two governments have grown significantly.
"Through these meetings and the conversations that take place within them, both the informal… more »
About the Author: Sarah Goldfarb serves as DipNote's Associate Editor.
On Sunday, May 1, President Barack Obama addressed the nation and said, "Tonight, I can report to the American people and to the world that the United States has conducted an operation that killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of al Qaeda, and a terrorist who's responsible for the murder of thousands of innocent men, women, and children.”
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton underscored the President's message and said, “[T]his a day, not only for Americans, but also for people all over the world who look to a more peaceful and secure future -- yes, with continued vigilance, but more so with growing hope and renewed faith in what… more »
On May 3, 2011, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton announced the Mobile Alliance for Maternal Action, a new partnership to strengthen mobile health programs for moms. In remarks introducing the partnership, Secretary Clinton said:
"Now Sunday is Mother's Day, in case any of you need reminding. And many of us will find ways to celebrate and thank our mothers, and we'll be grateful for all of the blessings that we've been given. But let's not forget that becoming a mother can be a dangerous and life threatening undertaking. Every year, nearly 360,000 women worldwide don't survive childbirth. Four million babies die during childbirth or within a few weeks. Most of these… more »
DipNote is the official blog of the U.S. Department of State —a place to share stories, discuss experiences, and inspire new ideas on the important foreign policy issues of the day. more »
International Travel: Middle East and North Africa
U.S. citizens can stay informed about current conditions in the region by visiting travel.state.gov.
Gabriela in Connecticut writes:
I am beginning my college career with an intense interest in health and bioethics. I would like to promote women and children's health around the world.
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May 10: Secretary Clinton met with participants of the U.S.-China Women's Leadership Exchange and Dialogue (Women-LEAD), which seeks to bring together women leaders from the U.S. and China to expand opportunities for women and girls in both countries. more »
Secretary Clinton will deliver the keynote address at the 41st Washington Conference on the Americas, co-hosted by the Department of State and Council of the Americas, on May 11, at approximately 9:20 a.m. EDT. more »
![Secretary Clinton to deliver remarks at 41st Conference on the Americas, May 11, 2011. [State Dept.]](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20110511044425im_/http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2011_0511_coa_clinton_live_m.jpg)
![People watch a sunset from the old city wall of Cartagena, Colombia, Jan. 22, 2004. [AP File Photo]](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20110511044425im_/http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2011_0510_cartagena_sky_m.jpg)
![UNESCO headquarters in Paris, Sept. 18, 2009. [AP File Photo]](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20110511044425im_/http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2011_0509_unesco_bldg_m.jpg)
![Plenary session of the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue, May 9, 2011. [AP Photo]](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20110511044425im_/http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2011_0509_us_china_plenary_m.jpg)
![President Obama observes a moment of silence at WTC site, NY, 2011. [AP]](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20110511044425im_/http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2011_0508_week_in_review_m.jpg)
