The Secretary’s Special Representative for Syria Engagement Ambassador Jim Jeffrey will travel to Geneva, Switzerland April 24. Ambassador Jeffrey will meet with United Nations Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen to discuss the conflict in Syria and the United States’ ongoing support for the UN-led process in Geneva and UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2254. He will also discuss progress on Pedersen’s efforts to reinvigorate the political process, the need for constitutional reform and free and fair elections, and reinforce Geneva’s place as the venue for creating a permanent political solution to the Syrian conflict.

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Jennifer Newstead is an exceptional lawyer who has served the American people, our State Department team, and the Trump Administration faithfully as our Legal Adviser. Her expertise and sharp judgment on an array of critical foreign policy issues will be greatly missed. As the first woman ever to head the State Department’s Office of the Legal Adviser, she exemplified the leadership qualities for which American diplomats are renowned the world over. I thank her for her outstanding service, and wish her all the best in the next phase of her career.

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The Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, Andrea L Thompson, will travel to NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, and to the United Kingdom April 23-24, 2019.

In Brussels, Under Secretary Thompson will have meetings with Allies at the NATO Headquarters.

In London, Under Secretary Thompson will have briefings at the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) with the Director General for Consular and Security of the U.K. Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), and the Deputy Director of Operations of the NCSC. She will also meet with the FCO Director General for Economics and Global Issues.

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We are deeply concerned about credible reports that the Houthis continue to severely mistreat, arbitrarily detain, and torture Baha’is in Yemen. Imprisoned since 2013, prominent Baha’i leader Hamed bin Haydara was sentenced to death on unconfirmed charges of alleged espionage and apostasy in January 2018. The Houthis have refused to provide the evidence against him or release him, and most recently refused to rule on an appeal in his case. While detained, Hamed bin Haydara has reportedly endured physical and psychological torture. The Houthis have targeted dozens of Baha’is with charges similar to those imposed on Hamed bin Haydara and other unfounded charges related to religious affiliation. This persistent pattern of vilification, oppression, and mistreatment by the Houthis of Baha’is in Yemen must end.

Baha’is face daily discrimination and persecution as they seek to practice their faith in Yemen and elsewhere around the world. Freedom of religion is a fundamental human right and a source of stability for all countries. Every person around the world should be free to practice their religion without fear of intimidation or reprisals.

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.

In honor of its commitment to resiliency and environmental stewardship, the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO) announced today that the new U.S. Embassy in The Hague, Netherlands has earned Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED^®) Gold Certification under the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED^® for New Construction green building rating system.

The Embassy in The Hague joins 45 U.S. diplomatic missions worldwide that have achieved LEED^® certification, including one prestigious Platinum certification for the Innovation Center in Helsinki, 14 Gold certifications, and 30 Silver or LEED^®-certified missions. In addition, OBO has 48 projects in design or under construction anticipated to earn a minimum of LEED^® Silver certification.

Along with its LEED^® certified facilities, OBO celebrates its contributions to sustainable building operations at U.S. diplomatic missions with its achievements in photovoltaic (PV) solar panel installations. Since 2005, OBO has deployed 37 PV array installations totaling over 7,000 kilowatts (kW) that are projected to save over $22 million over the life of the systems. Currently, OBO has eight deployments in design or under construction totaling over 3,000 kW that are projected to save more than $27 million over the life of the systems.

By reducing diplomatic facilities demand on energy and diversifying energy sources, OBO is enhancing both the efficiency and resiliency of the Department’s operations.

OBO provides safe, secure, functional, and resilient facilities that represent the U.S. government to the host nation and support our staff in the achievement of U.S. foreign policy objectives. These facilities represent American values and the best in American architecture, design, engineering, technology, sustainability, art, culture, and construction execution.

For further information please contact Christine Foushee at FousheeCT@state.gov, or visit www.state.gov/obo.

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.