As part of our ongoing work to address the humanitarian and economic crisis in Afghanistan, President Biden signed an Executive Order (E.O.) to help enable certain U.S.-based assets belonging to Afghanistan’s central bank, Da Afghanistan Bank (“DAB”), to be used to benefit the Afghan people. The E.O. will block property of DAB held in the…
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Statement from President Joe Biden on Securing the Release of Americans Detained in Venezuela
Today, ten Americans who have been detained in Venezuela have been released and are coming home, including all six wrongfully detained Americans. These individuals have lost far too much precious time with their loved ones, and their families have suffered every day in their absence. I am grateful that their ordeal is finally over, and that these families…
C5+1 Leaders’ Joint Statement
The New York Declaration: C5+1 Resilience through Security, Economic, and Energy Partnership This week, we – the presidents of the United States, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and the Republic of Uzbekistan – met on the occasion of the first-ever C5+1 Presidential Summit, held during the 78th session…
Statement by National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on the Earthquake in Afghanistan
The United States is deeply saddened to see the devastating earthquake that took the lives of at least 1,000 people in Afghanistan. President Biden is monitoring developments and has directed USAID and other federal government partners to assess U.S. response options to help those most affected. The United States is proud to be the single largest…
Background Press Call by Senior Administration Officials on a Successful Counterterrorism Operation in Somalia
Via Teleconference 3:12 P.M. EST MODERATOR: Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you for your patience. As a reminder, this call will be for attribution to “senior administration officials.” For your awareness, not for reporting, on the line we have [senior administration official] and [senior administration official]. The contents of this call will be embargoed until further…
President Biden Announces Key Nominees
WASHINGTON – Today, President Joe Biden announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to serve as key leaders in his administration: Mark Christopher Toner, Nominee for Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Liberia Mark Christopher Toner, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, class of Minister-Counselor, currently serves as the Minister…
Letter to the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate on Protecting Certain Property of Da Afghanistan Bank for the Benefit of the People of Afghanistan
Dear Madam Speaker: (Dear Madam President:) Pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), and section 301 of title 3, United States Code, I hereby report that I have issued an Executive Order declaring a national emergency with respect to the widespread humanitarian crisis in…
Statement from President Joe Biden on the Return of American Detainees from Iran
Today, five innocent Americans who were imprisoned in Iran are finally coming home. Siamak Namazi, Morad Tahbaz, Emad Sharghi, and two citizens who wish to remain private will soon be reunited with their loved ones—after enduring years of agony, uncertainty, and suffering. I am grateful to our partners at home and abroad for their tireless…
Remarks by President Biden on the Supreme Court’s Decision on the Administration’s Student Debt Relief Program
Roosevelt Room 4:02 P.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT: Hello, folks. Q Hello, President. THE PRESIDENT: There you go, Mr. Secretary. Let me begin by saying I know there are millions of Americans — millions of Americans in this country who feel disappointed and discouraged, or even a little bit angry, about the Court’s decision today on…
Office of Central & South Asian Affairs
The Office of Central and South Asian Affairs oversees development and implementation of U.S. trade policy and negotiation strategies for South Asia (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka) and the Central Asian states (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan). The latter were added to the office in order to more effectively…