The U.S. Department of State and U.S. Department of Commerce will co-host the Space Enterprise Summit in Washington, DC June 26-27, 2019. The purpose of this summit is to promote innovation and investment in the commercial space industry.

As companies continue to invest in transformational technologies, the U.S. government is committed to working with industry to provide an efficient, predictable, and transparent regulatory framework. This will build international support for the U.S. commercial space vision beyond low–Earth orbit. Through this Summit, the U.S. government aims to expand a coalition of like-minded countries to put in place nationally implemented pro-business guidelines promoting economic growth and innovation. This in turn will facilitate U.S. investments and ventures abroad.

The Summit will include sessions on commercial space activities; opportunities and challenges for industry to collaborate internationally; and U.S. efforts to streamline the existing domestic regulatory regime to accommodate rapid innovation and expansion of commercial markets. There will also be discussions on free market access and fair competition for commercial space companies and responsible behaviors in space. Finally, the Summit will create a forum for the sharing of best practices and highlight the economic value of space activities on Earth.

For further information, contact OES-PA-DG@state.gov. For more information about space diplomacy, please visit the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Space and Advanced Technology website.

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The United States is deeply concerned about fighting near Tripoli. We have made clear that we oppose the military offensive by Khalifa Haftar’s forces and urge the immediate halt to these military operations against the Libyan capital. Forces should return to status quo ante positions. All involved parties have a responsibility to urgently de-escalate the situation, as the UN Security Council and G7 ministers emphasized on April 5. This unilateral military campaign against Tripoli is endangering civilians and undermining prospects for a better future for all Libyans.

There is no military solution to the Libya conflict. This is why the United States continues to press Libyan leaders, together with our international partners, to return to political negotiations mediated by UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General Ghassan Salame. A political solution is the only way to unify the country and provide a plan for security, stability, and prosperity for all Libyans.

The Office of Website Management, Bureau of Public Affairs, manages this site as a portal for information from the U.S. State Department.
External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.

Today, the United States sanctioned two companies, Ballito Bay Shipping Inc. and ProPer in Management Inc., operating in Venezuela’s oil sector and the vessel Despina Andrianna used to transport oil to Cuba. Additional vessels, in which Venezuela’s state-owned oil company PDVSA has interests, are being identified as blocked property, pursuant to Executive Order 13850. These actions target entities and vessels that have been enabling the former Maduro regime to continue undermine the prosperity and democracy that Venezuelans deserve.

The former Maduro regime continues to line its pockets with the profits from natural resources that properly belong to the people of Venezuela. Meanwhile, Cuba is propping up the former regime and facilitating its repression of the Venezuelan people, through its military and intelligence support to Maduro.

The United States is taking action to curtail this and other ongoing corrupt activities of Nicolas Maduro and malign actors. We encourage companies, banks, and other institutions to refrain from providing services that support his repressive practices. We also urge countries to take appropriate legal measures to deprive Maduro and his cronies of assets held overseas and to prevent travel to their countries.

We will continue to use the full weight of U.S. economic and diplomatic power to complete the peaceful transition to a once-again free, prosperous and stable Venezuela.

The Office of Website Management, Bureau of Public Affairs, manages this site as a portal for information from the U.S. State Department.
External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.

The Department of State’s WiSci (Women in Science) Girls STEAM Camp is accepting applications from girls in the United States and overseas to participate in summer tech camps in various locations in Europe and Africa. WiSci is a public-private partnership designed to impart skills to and create opportunities for high school girls in science, technology, engineering, arts and design, and mathematics (STEAM). High school girls ages 15-18 from the United States are eligible to apply until April 14, 2019 and girls from Kosovo, North Macedonia, Serbia, Estonia, Poland, Latvia, and Georgia may apply until April 21, 2019.

The camps will focus on enhancing participants’ STEAM skills, increasing their leadership potential, and building camaraderie and networks that will propel them to access new opportunities. Campers will have the opportunity to learn coding skills, how to develop mobile applications, and more. WiSci is a collaboration of public and private partners including the U.S. Department of State, Girl Up, the Intel Corporation, Google, Millennium Challenge Corporation, American Society of Microbiology, NASA, and World Learning.

The WiSci Girls STEAM camp partnership is part of the U.S. government’s efforts to advance women’s economic empowerment and support the next generation of female leaders, especially in STEAM fields.

For more information on the WiSci Girls STEAM Camp, visit girlup.org/wisci, follow #WiSci2019 on social media, or contact Anita Ostrovsky, Ostrovskya@state.gov.

The Office of Website Management, Bureau of Public Affairs, manages this site as a portal for information from the U.S. State Department.
External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.

The United States and Switzerland reached an arrangement on April 5, 2019 regarding the Swiss acting as a protecting power for U.S. interests in Venezuela.

Until further notice that the arrangement is operative, the Swiss will not be able to provide services. Where possible, U.S. citizens in Venezuela who require emergency assistance should continue to visit the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate in another country.

We continue to warn U.S. citizens against travel to Venezuela and urge remaining U.S. citizens to leave Venezuela immediately. U.S. citizens who decide to remain in Venezuela should enroll their travel plans in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP.state.gov) so they can receive timely security alerts and other important updates to our public information on Venezuela.

The United States extends our deepest appreciation to the Swiss for offering to undertake this important function and assist U.S. citizens on our behalf.

For press inquiries, please contact CAPRESSREQUESTS@state.gov.

The Office of Website Management, Bureau of Public Affairs, manages this site as a portal for information from the U.S. State Department.
External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.