As the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca and Medina comes to a close, I wish Muslims across the globe a meaningful and blessed Eid al-Adha.

Eid al-Adha, also known as the ‘Festival of Sacrifice,’ is a special time when millions of Muslims perform acts of charity, remember those who are less fortunate, and celebrate with family and friends. It is a time in which Muslims from diverse backgrounds pray together and reflect on peace.

The U.S. Department of State wishes all Muslims around the world a happy Eid.

Eid Mubarak and Hajj Mabrour.

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External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.

On September 15, Secretary Tillerson will host the Ninth Community of Democracies (CD) Governing Council Ministerial at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, DC. This ministerial represents the culmination of the two-year U.S. Presidency of the CD and will bring together the CD’s 30-member Governing Council, participating states and civil society.

The CD was created by the United States and Poland in 2000 to advance democratic values around the world.

The CD’s core mission is to build a global network of governments and civil society to strengthen security, prosperity, and respect for human rights around the world.

For more information about the CD please visit: http://www.community-democracies.org/.

For more information about the Governing Council Ministerial, please contact DRL-Press@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.

On behalf of the Government of the United States of America, congratulations to the people of Trinidad and Tobago on the 55th anniversary of your independence.

The United States values Trinidad and Tobago’s shared commitment to regional security, economic integration, and democracy.

We look forward to strengthening these ties and to greater collaboration, as underscored in the United States and Caribbean Strategic Engagement Act of 2016.

We are grateful for the friendship of the people of Trinidad and Tobago and wish you a happy Independence Day.

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.

Acting Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Susan Thornton will lead a high-level U.S. government delegation to the 29th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Session with Forum Dialogue Partners (PIF FDP) on September 7, 2017 in Apia, Samoa. Her visit will demonstrate U.S. commitment to our continuing close partnership with the Pacific Islands in promoting sustainable growth and prosperity, ensuring regional stability, and addressing environmental concerns.

The U.S. delegation will include senior officials from the U.S. Department of State, Department of Defense, U.S. Coast Guard, and the U.S. Agency for International Development. The PIF FDP will provide a forum for U.S. and Pacific Islands leaders to discuss issues of regional and global importance including security, climate change, marine conservation, sustainable development, and health. Acting Assistant Secretary Thornton will conduct bilateral consultations with heads of state of Pacific Islands Forum members and other senior foreign officials.

Acting Assistant Secretary Thornton will host a roundtable with Pacific Islands leaders. While in Samoa, she will also tour a U.S. Department of Defense’s Overseas Humanitarian, Disaster, and Civic Aid (OHDACA) funded school renovation project at Safata College and speak at a reception honoring recipients of U.S. Embassy Apia’s public diplomacy grant funding.

Follow the Bureau of East Asia Pacific Affairs on Twitter @USAsiaPacific for updates on Acting Assistant Secretary Thornton’s trip.

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.

September is Passport Awareness Month. The U.S. Department of State is launching an awareness campaign to educate and inform travelers about upcoming changes to travel identification requirements for domestic flights.

Prepare Now

Beginning on January 22, 2018, domestic air passengers with driver’s licenses issued by a state that is not yet compliant with REAL ID and that has not received an extension will need to show an alternative form of acceptable identification for domestic air travel. Both the U.S. passport card and passport book are REAL ID compliant. If you already have a REAL ID compliant driver’s license, it will remain valid for domestic air travel.

REAL ID Requirements The REAL ID Act, which became law in 2005, requires driver’s licenses to meet minimum security standards for issuance and production. For air travel and certain other purposes, federal agencies are prohibited from accepting driver’s licenses and identification cards from states not meeting the Act’s minimum standards unless those states have been granted extensions.

The U.S. passport book and the U.S. passport card are REAL ID compliant and are acceptable identification to board domestic flights. The U.S. passport card is the same size as a driver’s license and only costs $55 for first time applicants or $30 for those who have already had a passport. A U.S. passport book is always required for international air travel – passport cards are not valid for international air travel.

Applying for a U.S. Passport Passport demand is on the rise and the Department of State expects to see 20 million applications in Fiscal Year 2017. It is best to apply early and to take advantage of lower wait times September through December. For adults renewing their passport, the process can be done by mail.

For information on how to apply for a U.S. passport, visit travel.state.gov or call the National Passport Information Center toll-free at 1-877-487-2778/1-888-874-7793 (TTY/TTD).

For more information on the acceptable forms of identification for boarding aircraft, please see TSA’s website tsa.gov. To find out if your state’s driver’s license or ID are Real ID compliant visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website dhs.gov/real-id.

For media inquiries please contact:

CAPressRequests@state.gov

202-485-6150

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.