Acting Assistant Secretary for Global Public Affairs Trudeau Travels to South Africa, Tanzania, Liberia, and Belgium
11/07/2022
Acting Assistant Secretary for Global Public Affairs Trudeau Travels to South Africa, Tanzania, Liberia, and Belgium
11/07/2022 08:17 AM EST
Office of the Spokesperson
Acting Assistant Secretary for Global Public Affairs Elizabeth Kennedy Trudeau will travel to South Africa, Tanzania, Liberia, and Belgium from November 7 to November 17, 2022. Her 10-day trip will prioritize working with U.S. diplomatic missions on policy and messaging priorities, including the importance of press freedom and countering disinformation, media empowerment and impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and government corruption and accountability. Acting Assistant Secretary Trudeau will meet with government officials and civil society organizations, foreign media outlets and press, influencers, students, journalists, and U.S. diplomatic mission staff.
In South Africa, Acting Assistant Secretary Trudeau will meet with media contacts on how the COVID-19 pandemic, climate, and conflict have impacted the U.S.-Africa relationship. She will also meet with U.S. exchange alumni.
In Tanzania, Acting Assistant Secretary Trudeau will meet with media contacts and exchange alumni, and speak at the University of Dar es Salaam Journalism School on press freedom and the importance of journalism. She will attend the “Heroes of COVID” event in honor of front-line healthcare workers and vaccine champions who are combatting the pandemic on the ground. She will also participate in the opening ceremony of the American Corner in Unguja as well as visit the M&M products facility in Kwarara.
In Liberia, Acting Assistant Secretary Trudeau will meet with government officials, civil society actors, U.S. exchange alumni, and local media. She will also hold an Embassy press roundtable and tour the historic Providence Island, a beneficiary of the Ambassador Fund for Cultural Preservation.
In Belgium, Acting Assistant Secretary Trudeau will attend the NATO Senior Communicators Conference on strategic communications and public diplomacy initiatives. She will participate in a panel on Transatlantic Approaches to Public Diplomacy. She will also meet with government officials and media outlets to discuss her trip.
Launch of the Green Shipping Challenge at COP27
11/07/2022
Launch of the Green Shipping Challenge at COP27
11/07/2022 09:21 AM EST
Office of the Spokesperson
Greenhouse gas emissions from the shipping sector are significant, increasing, and on a trajectory that is incompatible with the goals of the Paris Agreement. Compared with country emissions, the sector would rank among the top 10 largest emitters globally.
To help place the sector on a pathway to align with the goal to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°, the United States and Norway organized the Green Shipping Challenge for COP27. This challenge is strongly supported by the High-Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy. The Challenge encouraged governments, ports, and companies to prepare commitments to spur the transition to green shipping.
On November 7, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry chaired the launch of the Green Shipping Challenge during the World Leaders Summit of COP27. Countries, ports, and companies made more than 40 major announcements on issues such as innovations for ships, expansion in low- or zero-emission fuels, and policies to help promote the uptake of next-generation vessels. Announcements include:P. Moller–Maersk: Maersk Signs a General Protocol for Collaboration with the Spanish Government to Explore Large-Scale Green Fuels Production in Spain
Amazon: Cargo Owners Send Clear Demand Signals for Zero Emission Ocean Shipping
American Bureau of Shipping (ABS): ABS Publication of “Green Shipping Corridors: Leveraging Synergies”
Australia: Australia-Singapore Cooperation on Green Shipping Corridors
Blue Sky Maritime Coalition and American Bureau of Shipping: Gulf of Mexico Green Shipping Corridor
Canada: Canada’s Advancements on Green Shipping.
Chile: The Chilean Green Corridors Network Pre-Feasibility Study and the General Strategy of Maritime Administration to Effectively Implement IMO Instruments
Cyprus: Cyprus Tonnage Tax System: Reduction of Tonnage Tax as per Environmental Incentives
Denmark: Catalyst for Change—From Local to Global Green Shipping
DP World: DP World Announces Large Scale Carbon Reduction Action with Green Shipping Challenge
Finland and Fintraffic Vessel Services: Port Activity App Boosts the Efficiency of the Entire Logistics Chain and Supports Reducing Emissions
Finland and Siili Solutions in Conjunction with Fintraffic Vessel Traffic Services: Virtual Port Arrival, Sustainable and Efficient Shipping Through Data-Focused Collaboration and Information Sharing
Finland, Meriaura, Green NortH2, and Wärtsilä: Cargo Vessel Operated on Green Ammonia, Including E-Fuel Production
Finland, Rauma Marine Constructions, Viking Line, and Kempower: Scalable Green Maritime Transport Corridor Based on Locally Produced Renewable Fuel
Germany: Climate Neutral Ships
Germany: Developing the Pathway for Zero Emission Shipping at the DLR Institute for Maritime Energy Systems
Greece: Commits to Reducing Emissions at Six Major Ports Through Operational Efficiencies, On-shore Power Supply Systems, and Deployment of Renewable Energy Sources
Greece: Will Develop an Action Plan to Decarbonize the Domestic Coastal Ferry Fleet Operating Under Public Service Contract and Launch the First Hybrid Ferry in Greece
Greece: Joins the Declaration on Zero Emission Shipping by 2050
Green Hydrogen Producers and Green Shipping Leaders: Joint Statement on Green Hydrogen for Shipping
Green Shipping Programme (GSP): GSP to Develop and Deploy Ammonia as a Fuel for Shipping
International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH): Clean Energy Maritime Hubs Platform—Getting Maritime Ready to Unlock the Energy Transition
Republic of Korea: Collaboration on Green Shipping Corridors
Liberia: Liberia, Taking the Lead in Green Shipping Initiatives and Solutions to Shipowners
Lloyd’s Register Group Limited: Silk Alliance Identifies Its First Baseline Fleet for Singapore Cluster and Calls for Further Collaborators
Lloyd’s Register Group Limited: Zero Ready Framework Provides Shipping with Clarity Over Zero Carbon Readiness and Calls for Commitments
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Singapore Green & Digital Shipping Corridor: Commencement of Discussions for Los Angeles-Long Beach-Singapore Green & Digital Shipping Corridor
Los Angeles-Shanghai Green Shipping Corridor Partnership: Los Angeles-Shanghai Green Shipping Corridor Partnership and Implementation Plan
Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping: Blueprint for Green Corridors Pre-Feasibility Studies
Maldives: Scaling Up Low Carbon Technologies in the Transport Sector
Netherlands: Launching Customership for Sustainable Zero Emission Ships
Northwest Seaport Alliance: Toward a Zero-Emission Cargo Gateway in Seattle-Tacoma
Norway: Norway’s Enhanced Domestic Actions Towards Zero Emission Shipping
Norway: Norway’s Enhanced International Actions Towards Zero Emission Shipping
Norwegian Maritime Partners: Cooperation Obligation to Reach the Zero Emissions Goal from Maritime Industry, Shipping Associations Classification Societies and Finance
Port of Seattle: The Alaska British Columbia Washington Green Cruise Corridor is Underway
Portugal: Enhancing Portugal’s Zero-Emission Fleet
Serbia: Group for Maritime Navigation
Transoceanic Wind Transport (TOWT): TOWT to Launch a Fleet of 200 Drastically Decarbonizing Sailing Cargo Ships by 2035
United Kingdom: UK Joins Forces with the United States, Norway, and the Netherlands to Roll Out End-to-End Green Shipping Corridors
United States: Facilitating Green Shipping Corridors Worldwide
United States: Facilitating U.S. Green Shipping Corridors
United States: Creating a U.S. National Action Plan for Maritime Decarbonization
Zéphyr & Borée: The First Fleet of Sailing Container Ships in the World
Further details on these announcements, including announcement abstracts, are available at GreenShippingChallenge.org.
For media inquiries, please contact ClimateComms@state.gov.
U.S. Announcements Under the Green Shipping Challenge at COP27
11/07/2022
U.S. Announcements Under the Green Shipping Challenge at COP27
11/07/2022 09:46 AM EST
Office of the Spokesperson
Greenhouse gas emissions from the shipping sector are significant, increasing, and on a trajectory that is not compatible with the goals of the Paris Agreement. Compared to country emissions, the sector would rank among the top ten largest emitters globally.
To help place the sector on a pathway to align with the goal to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius, the United States and Norway organized the Green Shipping Challenge at COP27. The Challenge encouraged governments, ports, and companies to prepare commitments to spur the transition to green shipping.
On November 7, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry chaired the launch of the Green Shipping Challenge during the World Leaders Summit of COP27. Countries, ports, and companies made more than 40 major announcements addressing innovations for ships, expansion in low- or zero-emission fuels, and policies to help promote the uptake of next-generation vessels. Further information on international announcements under the Challenge is in the announcement.
The United States is leading the transition to zero-emission shipping as part of our commitment to tackle the climate crisis at home and internationally. For example:The Inflation Reduction Act includes a new $3 billion rebate and grant program at the Environmental Protection Agency to provide funding for zero-emission port equipment or technology, along with technical assistance for electrification and emissions reductions planning and port climate action plan development. Because ports can be a significant source of pollution, this program will promote the public health of near-port communities.
The U.S. Department of Transportation announced more than $703 million to fund 41 projects in 22 states and one territory that will improve port facilities through the Maritime Administration’s Port Infrastructure Development Program. The funding, made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and additional Congressional appropriations, will benefit coastal seaports, Great Lakes ports, and inland river ports, helping improve supply chain reliability through increased port capacity and resilience, more efficient operations, reduced port emissions, and new workforce opportunities.
The United States is working with countries in the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to include in the revision of the Initial IMO Strategy on the Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships a goal of phasing out greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping to zero no later than 2050, goals for 2030 and 2040 that align with the midcentury target, and dedication to a just transition that leaves no one behind.
New announcements under the Green Shipping Challenge include:
Facilitating U.S. Green Shipping CorridorsThe United States and the Republic of Korea are announcing technical cooperation to help facilitate establishment of a green shipping corridor. The U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of Energy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries of the Republic of Korea, and Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy of the Republic of Korea will undertake a feasibility study to explore the potential of creating a green shipping corridor between major cargo ports in the Republic of Korea and the United States. This work will be performed through the Zero-Emission Shipping Mission, in close consultation with the U.S. Northwest Seaport Alliance and the Port of Busan.
The United States and Canada are announcing the Great Lakes/Saint Lawrence Seaway System Green Shipping Corridor Network Initiative. The U.S. Department of Transportation, U.S. Department of State, and Transport Canada will work with state, provincial, local, private-sector, non-governmental leaders, and Indigenous Peoples in Canada and the United States to host consultations with ports and other stakeholders, with the goal of facilitating the establishment of a Great Lakes Green Shipping Corridor Network. This effort builds on the work established by the “Joint Statement by the U.S. Department of Transportation and Transport Canada on the Nexus between Transportation and Climate Change.”
The United States and the United Kingdom are announcing our intention to support the establishment of green shipping corridors between our countries. To advance this intention, we are launching a US.-UK green shipping corridor task force—to include the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of Transportation, UK Department for Transport and other relevant government departments—which will convene subnational and private-sector stakeholders and collaborate to drive innovation, R&D, and demonstration projects.
Creating a U.S. National Action PlanIn early 2023, the Department of Energy, the Department of Transportation, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development will release a transportation sector decarbonization blueprint, which will serve as a roadmap for expanding federal agency priorities to create options for traveling smarter, more efficiently, and cleaner. After the release of the blueprint, and as a key component of this effort, these departments and agencies will commence in 2023 the development of a S. maritime decarbonization strategy, which will identify the pathways for—and the agency-specific actions that can support—decarbonization of the domestic maritime sector.
Facilitating Green Shipping Corridors WorldwideThe United States and its partners in the Zero-Emission Shipping Mission are announcing the launch of a Green Shipping Corridor Hub, an online platform with resources and tools that aim to streamline the formation and deployment of green shipping corridors globally. The Hub will feature a green shipping corridor route tracker, a matchmaker tool to help stakeholders connect, and a library of green shipping corridor reports and analyses.
The U.S. Department of State is launching the Green Shipping Corridors Initiation Project with $1.5 million, subject to Congressional notification and the completion of domestic procedures, to support feasibility studies for green shipping corridors involving developing countries and symposia to bring together country representatives and non-state actors, including ports and companies, on green shipping corridor opportunities and implementation.
Together with its partners, the United States looks forward to building on these foundational commitments to the zero-emission maritime transition.
Secretary Antony J. Blinken, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, And Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov Before Their Meeting
11/07/2022
Secretary Antony J. Blinken, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, And Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov Before Their Meeting
11/07/2022 09:21 PM EST
Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State
Washington, D.C.
Blair House
SECRETARY BLINKEN: Welcome the foreign ministers from Armenia and Azerbaijan – Foreign Minister Mirzoyan, Foreign Minister Bayramov – here to Blair House, to Washington, to pursue what have been, I think, very productive discussions that we initiated in New York at the UN General Assembly and then in subsequent conversations between our teams. The United States is committed to the peace negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Direct dialogue is the best way to a truly durable peace, and we are very pleased to support that.
The United States strongly supports the sovereignty and territorial independence of both Armenia and Azerbaijan, and the 1991 restoration of independence was a vitally important moment in guaranteeing the rights of both countries, rights that we strongly support.
I think it’s also fair to say that 30-plus years of conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh have had tremendous human, material costs – lives lost, scars that are deep. But what we are seeing now are real steps, and courageous steps, by both countries to put the past behind and to work toward a durable peace. Both countries are working to that end and to, ultimately, a brighter future for the South Caucasus – a future of peace, countries at peace, countries working together for a better future.
And I’d simply say that the United States, as a friend to both Armenia and Azerbaijan, is committed to doing everything that we can to support you in this effort; to walk the path to a durable peace with you, to help in any way that we can. This is, I think, the promise of a better, brighter future. And I applaud both of you and your governments for the courage and determination that you’re showing to get to that destination.
So, thank you both for being here, thanks to your teams, and I look forward to our conversation. Thank you.
Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with Armenian Foreign Minister Mirzoyan and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Bayramov
11/08/2022an Foreign Minister Mirzoyan and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Bayramov
11/08/2022 08:25 AM EST
Office of the Spokesperson
The below is attributable to Spokesperson Ned Price:
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken hosted Armenia’s Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov for direct discussions at Blair House November 7 to facilitate progress toward a lasting peace agreement. The meeting today underscores Armenia’s and Azerbaijan’s serious pursuit of peace through intensified dialogue.
The United States remains committed to supporting a peaceful South Caucasus region.
Foreign Service Institute Director Polaschik Travels to Thailand, India, and Austria
11/08/2022
Foreign Service Institute Director Polaschik Travels to Thailand, India, and Austria
11/08/2022 09:58 AM EST
Office of the Spokesperson
Director of the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) Joan Polaschik is traveling to Thailand, India, and Austria November 7-18 to highlight FSI’s efforts to ready the Department’s workforce for the mission demands of today and tomorrow through training and learning opportunities.
The Director will visit the Department of State’s Regional Training Center in Bangkok and speak to management professionals at a conference in Vienna. In all three cities, she will meet with constituencies from the U.S. missions to discuss emerging learning needs and how FSI can best meet them.
In New Delhi, Director Polaschik will attend the annual meeting of the International Forum of Diplomatic Training. With counterparts from other diplomatic training academies and universities, she will share FSI’s best practices in training the State Department’s workforce on diplomatic tradecraft, language skills, leadership, and crisis management. For further information, please contact FSI-SCPU_Mailbox@state.gov.
Russia’s Continued Wrongful Detention of Brittney Griner
11/09/2022
Russia’s Continued Wrongful Detention of Brittney Griner
11/09/2022 08:38 AM EST
Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State
Following a sham trial and the unjust sentencing of Brittney Griner, Moscow is transferring her from a prison in Moscow to a remote penal colony. It is another injustice layered on her ongoing unjust and wrongful detention.
As we work to secure Brittney Griner’s release, we expect Russian authorities to provide our Embassy officials with regular access to all U.S. citizens detained in Russia, including Brittney, as is their obligation. Ensuring the health and welfare of U.S. citizen detainees in Russia is a priority, and we will continue to press for fair and transparent treatment for them all.
Our hearts are with Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan, as well as their family, friends, and supporters, who all continue to suffer from Russia’s decision to wrongfully detain U.S. citizens. We continue to work relentlessly to bring them home. I am focused on doing so, as are so many others in the Department. We will not relent until they are reunited with their loved ones.
NATO’s 2022 Cyber Defense Pledge Conference
11/09/2022
NATO’s 2022 Cyber Defense Pledge Conference
11/09/2022 09:55 AM EST
Office of the Spokesperson
On November 9 and 10, 2022, NATO’s 2022 Cyber Defense Pledge Conference will take place in Rome, at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. The event is co-hosted by Italy and the United States with the support of the NATO International Staff.
At the Madrid Summit in June, Allies reaffirmed that resilience is a national responsibility and a collective commitment. Allies pledged to accelerate development in all domains, including by boosting resilience to cyber and hybrid threats. The Summit also acknowledged energy security as a top priority. Finally, Allies decided, on a voluntary basis and using national assets, to build and exercise a virtual rapid response cyber capability to respond to significant malicious cyber activities.
Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified war on Ukraine has emphasized once again the overwhelming impact of the cyber dimension on our security and the imperative of cyber preparedness. The Conference in Rome will focus on “Resilience, Preparedness and Responsiveness to Cyber Threats to Critical Infrastructure.” Allies will discuss these and other crucial topics, with a view to increase cyber resilience both at the national level and as an Alliance.
The Conference will consist of two segments. During the first segment, Allies, at the Permanent Representative level, will discuss the key pillars of NATO’s effort to counter cyber threats: threat analysis, resilience, and response. In the second segment, national cyber leaders and experts will convene panels to focus on protecting the energy sector from cyber threats and ensuring the NATO Cyber Defense Pledge keeps pace with the evolving cyber threat landscape.
The conference is closed to the public. On November 10, the following keynote addresses will be live-streamed on YouTube:at 9.00am keynote addresses by Edmondo Cirielli, Italian Deputy Foreign Minister, and Anne Neuberger, Deputy National Security Advisor for Cybersecurity and Emerging Technologies, National Security Council, The White House;
at 10:30am keynote address from Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General.
Second High-Level Meeting of the U.S.-France Bilateral Clean Energy Partnership
11/09/2022
Second High-Level Meeting of the U.S.-France Bilateral Clean Energy Partnership
11/09/2022 04:59 PM EST
Office of the Spokesperson
The second High-Level Meeting of the U.S.-France Bilateral Clean Energy Partnership was held in Washington, D.C., co-chaired by the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Department of State, France’s Ministry for the Energy Transition, and France’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. This Partnership aims to address: (i) energy policy, technology, and innovation; and (ii) diplomatic efforts to accelerate energy transitions and achieve climate objectives.
The meeting convened at an unprecedented time for global energy markets as governments, industry, and stakeholders seek to address global challenges. Russia’s unjustified and unprovoked aggression against Ukraine and weaponization of energy has caused untold suffering for Ukraine as well as economic pain throughout the world. Faced with a rapidly transforming energy landscape, the co-chairs underscored the deep and enduring relationship between the United States and France and continued close partnership on bilateral energy and climate priorities.
The co-chairs endorsed several bilateral opportunities for collaborations that form the basis of the U.S.-France Bilateral Clean Energy Partnership Roadmap. Further, the co-chairs expressed their joint determination to further enhance coordination and deepen cooperation on civil nuclear energy and decided to set up a nuclear energy small group within the framework of the Partnership. They also decided to continue discussion on energy security including LNG supply. The co-chairs look forward to working together closely on the clean energy transition – the singular long-term solution for our countries’ energy security.
Additionally, the co-chairs welcomed a 10-year agreement to extend cooperation under the Agreement for Cooperation in Low Carbon Energy Technologies between the U.S. Department of Energy and the Commissariat à l’énergie atomique et aux Énergies alternatives français.
The co-chairs noted the upcoming State Visit to the United States by President Emmanuel Macron of France. This will be France’s first State Visit of the Biden Administration.
The United States and France share an opportunity and commitment to tackle the challenges surrounding energy security and transition. The determination of our two countries to prioritize clean energy research, development, demonstration, and deployment aims to speed the global transition to a cleaner and a more secure energy future.
$400 Million in Additional U.S. Military Assistance for Ukraine
11/10/2022
$400 Million in Additional U.S. Military Assistance for Ukraine
11/10/2022 09:42 PM EST
Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State
The United States continues to support Ukraine’s brave defenders with additional military assistance to help them protect their country from Russia’s aggression.
Pursuant to a delegation of authority from the President, today I am authorizing our twenty-fifth drawdown of U.S. arms and equipment for Ukraine since August 2021. This $400 million drawdown includes additional arms, munitions, and equipment from U.S. Department of Defense inventories. This drawdown will bring the total U.S. military assistance for Ukraine to an unprecedented level of approximately $19.3 billion since the beginning of the Administration.
The United States will continue to stand with more than 40 allies and partners in support of the people of Ukraine as they defend their freedom and independence with extraordinary courage and boundless determination. The air defense, long-range, and precision fire capabilities that we are providing are carefully calibrated to best serve Ukraine on the battlefield as it makes gains from Kherson to Kharkiv. We will continue to support Ukraine so it can defend itself and be in the strongest possible position at the negotiating table when the time comes.
We stand United with Ukraine.
Joint Declaration from Energy Importers and Exporters on Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Fossil Fuels
11/11/2022
Joint Declaration from Energy Importers and Exporters on Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Fossil Fuels
11/11/2022 08:50 AM EST
Office of the Spokesperson
The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States, European Union, Japan, Canada, Norway, Singapore, and the United Kingdom.
Begin text:
The United States, European Union, Japan, Canada, Norway, Singapore, and the United Kingdom are committed to taking rapid action to address the dual climate and energy security crises that the world faces.
We affirm the need to accelerate global transitions to clean energy, recognizing that reliance on unabated fossil fuels leaves us vulnerable to market volatility and geopolitical challenges.
We also recognize that under IPCC 1.5°C-aligned scenarios, fossil fuel consumption will persist, at rapidly declining levels, as the global energy transition unfolds. As such, we emphasize that dramatically reducing methane, CO2, and other greenhouse gas emissions across the fossil fuel energy value chain is a necessary complement to global energy decarbonization in order to limit warming to 1.5°C.
We commit to taking immediate action to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions associated with fossil energy production and consumption, particularly to reduce methane emissions. We emphasize that reducing methane and other greenhouse gas emissions from the fossil energy sector enhances energy security by reducing avoidable routine flaring, venting, and leakage that wastes natural gas. We also note that these measures will also improve health outcomes by eliminating black carbon and other associated air pollutants.
We call on fossil energy importers to take steps to reduce the methane emissions associated with their energy consumption, which can spur emissions reductions across the value chain. We also call on fossil energy producers to implement projects and supporting policies and measures to achieve emissions reductions across fossil energy operations.
We call for global action to reduce methane emissions in the fossil energy sector to the fullest extent practicable, with the aim to reduce warming by 0.1°C by midcentury, consistent with International Energy Agency findings of the near-term warming reduction effects of fully deploying technically feasible mitigation in this sector.
We reaffirm the call to action under the Global Methane Pledge to reduce collective anthropogenic methane emissions by at least 30 percent from 2020 levels by 2030 as an essential strategy to reduce warming in the near term and keep a 1.5°C limit on temperature rise within reach. We recognize that the fossil energy sector must lead in rapid methane mitigation given the abundance of technically feasible and cost-effective mitigation measures available in the fossil energy sector, as called for in the Global Methane Pledge Energy Pathway.
Recognizing the urgency of reducing emissions from fossil energy value chains, we commit to working towards the creation of an international market for fossil energy that minimizes flaring, methane, and CO2 emissions across the value chain to the fullest extent practicable, as we also work to phase down fossil fuel consumption. We support the development of frameworks or standards for fossil energy suppliers to provide accurate, transparent, and reliable information to purchasers about the methane and CO2 emissions associated with their value chains.
We will support domestic and international action to achieve emissions reductions across the fossil energy value chain, such as:Adopting policies and measures to achieve rapid and sustained reductions in methane and CO2 emissions across the fossil energy value chain:Adopting policies and measures to eliminate routine venting and flaring and to conduct regular leak detection and repair campaigns in upstream, midstream, and downstream oil and gas operations.
Adopting policies and measures to capture, utilize, or destroy methane in the coal sector to the fullest extent practicable, including through pre-mine drainage, coal mine methane destruction, and ventilation air methane destruction.
Putting in place measures to require or strongly incentivize reductions in greenhouse gas emissions associated with fossil energy imports.
Adopting policies and measures to support robust measurement; monitoring, reporting, and verification; and transparency for methane emissions data in the fossil energy sector:Adopting policies and measures to improve the accuracy of methane emissions data, and affirming the need to enhance greenhouse gas inventories, including through improving data availability and through direct measurements at source level for gas and oil, in view of moving towards highest tier IPCC methods for emissions quantification based on direct measurement, stochastic sampling, emissions factors, and other IPCC-approved approaches, and improving monitoring, reporting, and verification mechanisms as new data becomes available.
Supporting frameworks or standards to improve the accuracy, availability, and transparency of fossil energy methane emissions and emissions intensity data at the cargo, portfolio, jurisdiction, and country level, including consideration of accepted protocols such as the Oil and Gas Methane Partnership 2.0 (OGMP2.0) standard and tools such as independent verification that can support robust data collection and reporting.
Supporting international efforts to improve methane emissions measurement; monitoring, reporting, and verification; and transparency, including through partnership with the UNEP International Methane Emissions Observatory and other multilateral partners.
Improving data quality on fossil energy methane, including for abandoned wells and mines, non-commercial operations, or retired infrastructure.
Strengthening coalitions to reduce methane and CO2 emissions in value chains of internationally traded fossil fuels:Engaging public, municipal, and private sector fossil energy producers and purchasers to leverage contracts and other instruments, as appropriate, to improve methane and CO2 emissions performance from traded fossil energy resources, including efforts to decrease the methane and other greenhouse gas intensity per unit of energy delivered.
Encouraging companies’ participation in the Oil and Gas Methane Partnership 2.0 (OGMP2.0) standard.
Mobilizing technical assistance and financing for methane and CO2 mitigation in the fossil energy sector:Enhancing the provision of technical assistance and investment for methane and CO2 mitigation along the fossil energy value chain.
Developing financial tools and aligning financial standards to support methane and CO2 mitigation in the fossil energy sector.
End text.
For media inquiries, please contact ClimateComms@state.gov
Under Secretary Jenkins travel to Brussels and Amsterdam
11/11/2022
Under Secretary Jenkins travel to Brussels and Amsterdam
11/11/2022 12:16 PM EST
Office of the Spokesperson
Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security Ambassador Bonnie D. Jenkins will travel to Brussels, Belgium and Amsterdam, the Netherlands on November 14-16 to attend the 11th EU Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Conference and the 2022 Multinational Conference on Missile Defense. The Under Secretary will make keynote remarks at both conferences and participate in bilateral meetings and side events in support of continued U.S. commitment to strengthening alliances and partnerships on issues of arms control, disarmament, nonproliferation, and missile defense.
Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba
11/12/2022
Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba
11/12/2022 10:10 AM EST
Office of the Spokesperson
The below is attributable to Spokesperson Ned Price:
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met today with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba in Phnom Penh. The Secretary discussed the United States’ unwavering commitment to assist Ukraine in mitigating the effects of Russia’s continued attacks on critical infrastructure, including with accelerated humanitarian aid and winterization efforts. The two reaffirmed the importance of the Black Sea Grain Initiative’s renewal before it expires on November 19 and its role in supporting global food security. They also discussed Ukraine’s continued effectiveness on the battlefield, and the Secretary reiterated that the timing and contents of any negotiation framework remains Ukraine’s decision.
