As South Sudan approaches the first anniversary since independence, the country faces profound challenges from landmines and unexploded munitions, which remain a tragic legacy of decades of conflict. On the front lines of this new struggle against these hidden hazards are the dedicated men and women of the South Sudan Integrated Mine Action Service (SIMAS).
I recently visited South Sudan to meet the organization's brave and dedicated staff, and I saw firsthand how U.S. support for conventional weapons destruction is making a difference in the world's newest nation.
Landmines and unexploded ordnance inhibit development, disrupt markets and production, prevent the delivery of goods and services, and generally obstruct reconstruction and stabilization… more »
About the Author: Lynette Evans serves as a Program Officer in the Bureau of International Information Programs.
Last week, I joined thousands of people from around the world for the opening of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Rio+20 -- the short name for the conference -- takes place twenty years after the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio and will focus on two themes: (a) a green economy in the context of sustainable development poverty eradication; and (b) the institutional framework for sustainable development.
On June 13, President Dilma Rousseff of Brazil kicked off the conference, where she called on "all countries of the world to commit" to reaching an accord that addresses serious environmental and social woes. While world leaders and stakeholders groups are busy negotiating, the public also has the opportunity to become… more »
On June 14, our embassies and consulates throughout the world, and many of us across the government here in Washington, celebrated Global Economic Statecraft Day (GESD) to recognize all the ways we are putting economics at the forefront of our foreign policy. And this recognition came all the way from the top: Secretary Clinton used her keynote speech at the African Growth and Opportunity Act Forum to mark GESD, and President Obama released a video message dedicated to the day's commemoration.
Above all, GESD was an opportunity to honor the dynamism and creativity of the ambassadors, economic officers,… 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 »
Across the eastern Horn of Africa, more than 11 million people -- a number greater than the populations of Houston and New York City combined -- are now in need of emergency assistance to survive. Learn more about the current crisis, including how you can help.
In the late 1980s through early 90s, South Africa voluntarily underwent nuclear disarmament. The African country stands as the first and only country to…
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Spokesperson Nuland (June 19): "The U.S. is deeply concerned by the crackdown by the Sudanese authorities on peaceful demonstrators in Khartoum over the last three days." more »
Spokesperson Nuland (June 19): "The U.S. condemns in the strongest possible terms today's provocative attack on a mosque in the West Bank village of Kfar Jabaa near Ramallah." more »
![Haitian artists Ti-Coca and his band Wanga-Neges perform, undated. [Photo by Courtney Correl/ Courtesy of Center Stage]](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20120620220753im_/http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2012_0618_center_stage_m.jpg)
![The statue of Christ the Redeemer is seen with Sugar Loaf mountain in the background in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on August 1, 2010.[AP File Photo]](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20120620220753im_/http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2012_0615_rio_de_janeiro_m.jpg)
