U.S. State Department - OES

12/18/2024

🌊 Progress for Our Ocean 🌎

Today, President Biden sent to the Senate the historic High Seas Treaty, an international agreement that will strengthen the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction.

The High Seas Treaty protects high seas freedoms and promotes high seas scientific research and innovation, while establishing mechanisms for protecting high seas ecosystems. The treaty also creates rules of the road which will incentivize companies to invest in research and development using high seas marine genetic resources.

This Treaty is a major step forward in the global effort to secure the blue economy and tackle the challenges facing our ocean.

Today, President Biden transmitted the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction, also known as the High Seas Treaty or BBNJ Agreement, to the Senate for its advice and consent to ratification.   The high sea...

12/18/2024

Congrats IPBES on the adoption of the assessment, the culmination of three years of hard work for people and nature.

12/18/2024

Welcome to the , Thailand! Your commitment to peaceful & transparent space exploration brings us another step closer to a brighter future!

U.S. Embassy Bangkok
NASA Artemis

12/18/2024

Welcome, Thailand 🇹🇭, to the Accords! Now 51 nations have joined this global partnership, affirming principles of responsible and peaceful space exploration. 🚀

U.S. State Department - OES
U.S. Embassy Bangkok

12/18/2024

Congrats IPBES on the adoption of the at , highlighting the important links among nature, water, food and health.

🚨 OUT NOW 🚨

📚 The ‌IPBES Summary for Policymakers is now available!

➡️ Explore the most comprehensive assessment ever of the interconnections between biodiversity, water, food, health & climate.
🌏 Options for a just & sustainable future!

🔗 Check out the media release: https://www.ipbes.net/node/85582

12/13/2024

Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing is a serious global problem that threatens ocean ecosystems and fisheries, food security, and economic growth, while undermining law-abiding fishers and communities in the United States and around the world. IUU fishing can take many forms, ranging from the small-scale misreporting of catch, to large-scale, coordinated efforts by transnational crime syndicates, and may be associated with forced labor and other human rights abuses.

The United States is countering IUU fishing and related threats to maritime security around the world through diplomatic outreach, law enforcement partnerships, information-sharing, and international capacity-building activities. Under the Maritime Security and Fisheries Enforcement (SAFE) Act, the United States is mobilizing a whole-of-government approach to tackling the issue of IUU fishing.

Over the past two years, MSAFE has implemented the National 5-Year Strategy for Combatting IUU Fishing, promoting sustainable fisheries governance, stronger fishing measures and compliance, and preventing seafood caught by IUU fishing or associated labor abuses from entering commercial trade.

Learn more at: https://www.state.gov/u-s-efforts-to-combat-illegal-fishing-and-associated-labor-abuses/

12/12/2024

During her visit to New Zealand, our Science & Technology Cooperation Director discussed quantum technology at a research institute and strengthened connections with local leader.

12/11/2024

Launched in 2020, the Artemis Accords, a non-binding set of principles designed to guide civil space exploration and use in the 21st century, reached a milestone of 50 signatories on December 11! We expect this number to continue growing as more and more countries commit to making the space environment safer and more predictable and allowing all nations – even those with emerging space programs – to benefit from the data obtained in space.

The United States has undertaken many actions over the years to promote and support international collaboration in space exploration and research. In addition to the Artemis Accords, we’ve entered into partnerships with countries to collaborate on space missions, share scientific data, and develop space technologies; created a supportive regulatory framework that encourages private sector investment; and updated our National Space Policy to protect space assets and critical space infrastructure.

The durable nature of our space diplomacy is exemplified in the International Space Station, which has been in operation for 25 years now, facilitated by the International Space Station Intergovernmental Agreement.

Looking to the future, we are eager to harness the power of space diplomacy to ensure that humanity benefits from the research and economic growth that space exploration provides.

12/11/2024

Today at the Joint Committee Meeting, U.S. research institutions and government agencies highlighted the importance of international collaboration to protect and enforce best practices in research, biotechnology, and oceanic and Antarctic research.

12/10/2024

Check out this postcard from our international fisheries policy team!

They were in Cyprus last month for a meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas, working to advance the sustainability of fisheries across the Atlantic region. We're protecting these vital fish stocks for the millions of Americans and others around the world who depend on them for livelihoods and food.


U.S. Embassy Cyprus

12/10/2024

The U.S. and New Zealand are working together to explore new ways to advance scientific research for a more secure world. Our Science and Technology Cooperation Office Director is in New Zealand leading the 6th Joint Committee Meeting on Science & Technology Cooperation, which started today.

12/04/2024

As President Joe Biden wraps up his visit to Angola, we are pleased to announce that the United States and Angola are teaming up under the Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation to advance ocean science, foster a new generation of ocean scientists, and ensure a healthy, resilient Atlantic Ocean for generations to come.

Key highlights of this partnership:

-Support for Angola’s Baia Farta Ocean Research Vessel: Enhancing capacity for ocean science and food security research.
-Fulbright Specialist Program: U.S. experts will work directly with Angola to build ocean science skills and provide critical training.
-OceanX Collaboration: Empowering Angolan early-career scientists and youth to access ocean research and develop advocacy skills through exciting programs and aboard the OceanXplorer research vessel in 2025.

Together, we are building a more peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable Atlantic region. 🇺🇸 🇦🇴

U.S. Embassy Luanda, OceanX, The Fulbright Program

On the occasion of President Joseph R. Biden Jr.’s visit to Angola, we celebrate the transformation and deepening of the U.S.-Angola relationship. 

12/04/2024

Through the Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils, we are working with partners on sustainable land and soil management practices that consider where and what to plant, and how to diversify crops to prevent land degradation and achieve drought resilience.

12/04/2024

We applaud the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC)'s adoption of crew labor standards to ensure fisher welfare and safer working environments at sea. This measure includes binding protections to ensure fair treatment for all crew.

12/03/2024

Although an agreement to wasn’t reached at , the U.S. is resolved to make progress at the next stage of negotiations. We continue to support a global instrument that protects human health & the environment & drives investments in solutions worldwide.

The United States acknowledges the significant progress toward forging a new global agreement on plastic pollution made at the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) on plastic pollution, held in Busan, the Republic of Korea, November 25 to December 1, 2024. The U.S. de...

11/29/2024

On , we celebrate the majestic jaguar and recognize the urgent need to protect its future. Jaguars face significant threats from habitat loss and wildlife trafficking, which put this apex predator and entire ecosystems at risk.

To protect jaguars, we must end illegal trade and work together to conserve their natural habitats. Let’s stand strong to and ensure a safe, thriving future for jaguars and for nature.

11/27/2024

Solving the plastic pollution crisis will take systemic change across our economies partnered with thousands of actions throughout our societies. No one government, organization, or person can address alone.

11/26/2024

The United States is committed to combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing and fighting bad actors at sea, protecting vital ocean ecosystems and the communities that depend on them for livelihoods and food.

The Department of the Treasury today imposed sanctions on five Mexican individuals associated with the Gulf Cartel, one of Mexico’s most dangerous criminal organizations, for involvement in criminal activities associated with illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, human smuggling, and...