Press Releases: Special Representative for North Korea Policy Joseph Yun Travels to the Republic of Korea


Media Note

Office of the Spokesperson

Washington, DC

November 13, 2017


Special Representative for North Korea Policy Ambassador Joseph Yun will travel to Seoul and Jeju from November 14-17 for meetings with the R.O.K. government. Special Representative Yun will also to participate in the Northeast Asia Platform for Peace and Cooperation Conference and the United Nations Conference on Disarmament.






Press Releases: International Education Week Kicks Off With Record Number of Students Studying Abroad


Media Note

Office of the Spokesperson

Washington, DC

November 13, 2017


From November 13-17, the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education will celebrate International Education Week (IEW) by encouraging Americans and international students to seek opportunities to study abroad, make connections with peers in other countries, and ultimately see themselves as actors in and shapers of both their local communities and an interconnected world.

To open IEW, the State Department, in collaboration with the Institute of International Education, released the annual Open Doors report of data and trends in international academic mobility. For the second year in a row, more than one million international students studied at U.S. institutions of higher education in academic year 2016/17, an increase of three percent over the prior year. The number of American students studying abroad also increased by four percent from the prior year to 325,339 Americans.

International students have a major positive impact on U.S. communities, universities and colleges by enhancing classrooms and campuses with an exchange of ideas, improved understanding of different cultures, and by contributing more than $39.4 billion to the U.S. economy.

Throughout IEW, events at schools and universities across the United States and around the world will focus on the importance of international education in fostering security and economic growth and highlight why more students should have access to an international education.

The State Department is continuing its efforts to broaden participation in U.S.-sponsored exchange programs, including the Fulbright Program, the Critical Language Scholarship Program, and the Gilman Program. Additionally, the State Department will hold “Passport to the World” events throughout the month of November to encourage U.S. citizens to apply for a passport.

More can be found at iew.state.gov. For press inquiries, contact ECA-Press@state.gov. And follow the conversation on social media at #IEW2017.






Press Releases: Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Carl Risch To Travel to Mexico


Media Note

Office of the Spokesperson

Washington, DC

November 13, 2017


Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Carl Risch will travel to Mexico November 14-17, to review consular operations at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City as well as at the U.S. Consulate General in Monterrey.

While in Mexico, Assistant Secretary Risch will head the United States delegation in a bilateral consular dialogue with Mexican counterparts, as well as liaise with interagency partners.

The United States is committed to long-term bilateral engagement with Mexico on a variety of consular-related issues, including protecting U.S. citizens overseas, growing the U.S. economy through tourist and business travel, working together on international adoptions, and preventing and resolving international parent child abduction cases.

For press inquiries please contact CAPRESSREQUESTS@state.gov or (202) 485-6150.






Press Releases: Earthquake Near the Iran-Iraq Border


Press Statement

Heather Nauert

Department Spokesperson

Washington, DC

November 13, 2017


The United States expresses its sincere condolences to all of those affected by the earthquake in Iran and Iraq. We keep the families of those who were killed, and injured, in our thoughts as well as the communities that have suffered damage to homes and property.






Press Releases: Angola National Day


Press Statement

Rex W. Tillerson

Secretary of State

Washington, DC

November 13, 2017


On behalf of the people of the United States of America, I send best wishes to the people of Angola as you celebrate your 42nd year of independence on November 11.

This last year has brought tremendous change for the people of Angola, including historic elections and a new administration. As Angola works to strengthen its economy and work for security and democracy at home and in the region, know that the United States is your partner and friend in these efforts as we open a new chapter in our strategic partnership.

I am honored to wish all Angolans happiness on this important occasion.