On behalf of the Government of the United States of America, I offer congratulations on the occasion of the 62nd anniversary of Tunisia’s independence.

Tunisia’s impressive democratic transition continues to serve as an inspiration to the world. We commend the Tunisian people for their dedication to peaceful dialogue, consensus building, and reform through democratic means. The United States will continue to support Tunisia’s efforts to improve security and modernize its economy, amid formidable challenges.

This is a day to reflect on and celebrate the unity, resolve, and resilience of the Tunisian people. I extend to Tunisians my sincere wishes for a productive and prosperous year ahead.

The Office of Website Management, Bureau of Public Affairs, manages this site as a portal for information from the U.S. State Department.
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On behalf of President Trump and the American people, I extend my best wishes to the people of Namibia as you celebrate the anniversary of your independence on March 21.

Since independence, Namibia has stood out for its strong democratic traditions, its success in combatting HIV/AIDS, and its model wildlife conservation. The United States is proud to partner with you in these efforts.

The United States looks forward to building upon strong friendship to achieve our common goals and wish Namibia continued success in the coming year.

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.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John J. Sullivan will deliver a keynote address on humanitarian assistance at the United States Institute for Peace at 12:15 p.m. on Thursday, March 22, 2018.

The event is open to the press. All interested press must RSVP to Paul Johnson, the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), at 202-429-7174 or via e-mail at pjohnson@usip.org by Wednesday, March 21 at 5:00 p.m.

Due to the limited space for media at the event, USIP reserves the right to limit the number of representatives of each media outlet attending the event.

The event will be streamed live on USIP’s website. The event will be streamed live on www.state.gov, Facebook.com/usdos, and BNET. Follow @StateDept for more information.

For further information from the Department of State, please contact the Office of Press Relations at (202) 647-2492 or contact PAPressDuty@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.

As spring arrives, I wish the people of Iran and everyone who celebrates this wonderful tradition a happy Nowruz.

Today, I offer my best wishes to all of the communities here in the United States, as well as in Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, China, Georgia, India, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Pakistan, Russia, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and around the globe as they gather around the Haftsin, cooking, feasting, dancing, singing, and spending time with family and friends.

Nowruz is a time to take stock of recent events. In the past year, I have drawn inspiration from the Iranian people who are making their voices heard by protesting for freedom, dignity, and respect for human rights. The United States supports those seeking to reclaim their fundamental freedoms of expression, religion, and peaceful assembly.

Finally, Nowruz is a time to reflect on our hopes for the future. May the coming year bring peace, freedom, and prosperity to all.

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.

Deputy Secretary of State John J. Sullivan will present the 2018 Secretary of State’s International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award, with remarks to be provided by First Lady Melania Trump, in honor of 10 extraordinary women during an official ceremony from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. on Wednesday, March 21, at the U.S. Department of State.

First established in March 2007, this annual award honors women around the world who have demonstrated exceptional courage, strength, and leadership in acting to bring positive change to their societies, often at great personal risk and sacrifice. To date, under the IWOC program, the U.S. Department of State has recognized over 120 women from more than 65 countries who have worked to advocate for and promote human rights, the advancement of the status of women, peace, and government transparency around the world.

The names and bios of the recipients of the 2018 award will be announced on Monday, March 19.

The ceremony will be open to the press and streamed live on www.state.gov. Follow @StateDept during the event for updates and live tweets.

For the ceremony, pre-set time for cameras is 6:30 a.m. from the C Street entrance. Final access time for writers and stills is 8:30 a.m. from the 23^rd Street entrance.

Media representatives may attend the ceremony upon presentation of one of the following: (1) A U.S. Government-issued identification card (Department of State, White House, Congress, Department of Defense or Foreign Press Center), (2) a media-issued photo identification card, or (3) a letter from their employer on letterhead verifying their employment as a journalist, accompanied by an official photo identification card (driver’s license, passport).

For further information on this event, please contact the Office of Press Relations atPAPressDuty@state.gov and 202-647-2492 or SGWI_PA@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.