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  • President Obama delivers the State of the Union Address on February 12, 2013. (White House Photo)

    President Barack Obama, State of the Union Address (Feb. 12, 2013): "In defense of freedom, we’ll remain the anchor of strong alliances from the Americas to Africa; from Europe to Asia."

  • Ambassador Lomellin announces a U.S. grant in support of the JSCA program to strengthen the Inter-American Human Rights System at OAS headquarters in Washington, D.C., February 6, 2013. (OAS Photo)

    Ambassador Lomellin (Feb. 6, 2013): "The U.S. is firmly committed to strengthening the inter-American human rights system ... and we believe that the important work of the JSCA is critical to ... the promotion of human rights across the hemisphere."

  • Vice President Biden administers the oath of office to Secretary of State John F. Kerry in a ceremony at the Department of State, February 6, 2013. (State Dept. Photo)

    Secretary Kerry (Feb. 6, 2013): "I am proud to take on this job because I want to work for peace and because the values and the ideals of our nation are really what represents the best of the possibilities of life here on Earth."

  • Secretary of State John F. Kerry arrives at the State Department, February 4, 2013.

    Secretary of State John F. Kerry (Feb. 4, 2013): "I want to thank President Obama for his trust in me to take on this awesome task, and for his trust in you, every single one of you, and what you do every single day."

  • Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts administers the oath of office to President Barack Obama during the Inaugural swearing-in ceremony at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., Jan. 21, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Sonya N. Hebert)

    The Second Inauguration of President Barack Obama (January 21, 2013): "We will support democracy from Asia to Africa, from the Americas to the Middle East, because our interests and our conscience compel us to act on behalf of those who long for freedom."

USOAS Highlights

  • Sen. John F. Kerry testifies before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
    Statement of Senator John F. Kerry, Nominee for Secretary of State

    January 24, 2013: Sen. John F. Kerry testified before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations in his confirmation hearing to serve as U.S. Secretary of State. 

  • Secretary of State John F. Kerry was sworn in on February 1, 2013. (State Dept. Photo)
    Sen. John F. Kerry Sworn In as Secretary of State

    February 1, 2013: On February 1, 2013, John Forbes Kerry took the official oath of office to become the 68th Secretary of State of the United States at 4:04 p.m. EST.  

  • (l-r) Ambassador Carmen Lomellin, Ambassador Joel Hernandez Garcia of Mexico (Chair of the Permanent Council), Secretary General Jose Miguel Insulza, Assistant Secrertary General Albert Ramdin, and Deputy U.S. Permanent Representative Lawrence J. Gumbiner preside over the awards ceremony to announce the recipients of the Sustainable Communities in Central America and the Caribbean Project Grants. The event was held in the Hall of Heroes at OAS headquarters in Washington, D.C., Dec. 11, 2012. (OAS Photo)
    U.S. Supports "Sustainable Communities in Central America and the Caribbean" Grants

    December 11, 2012: In a ceremony at OAS headquarters, Ambassador Lomellin announced U.S. support for Sustainable Communities in Central America and the Caribbean, a competitive grants program to enhance hemispheric cooperation on sustainable community development in the context of the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas (ECPA). 

  • Secretary of State Clinton.
    Secretary a Clinton Holds a Global Townterview

    January 29, 2013: Secretary of State Clinton held a global townhall meeting broadcast live from the Newseum in Washington, D.C. during which she responded to questions from participants throughout the globe. 

  • Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton delivers remarks entitled: "Frontlines and Frontiers: Making Human Rights a Human Reality," Thursday, Dec. 6, 2012, at Dublin City University in Dublin, Ireland. (AP Photo/Kevin Lamarque, Pool)
    Making Human Rights a Human Reality

    December 6, 2012: Secretary of State Clinton: "Human rights cannot be disconnected from other priorities. They are inextricably linked with all of the goals we strive for in our countries and around the world." 

  • The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. (OAS Photo)
    IACHR 146th Period of Sessions

    October 31 - November 16, 2012: The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) held its 146th Period of Sessions from October 31 - November 16, 2012. For full coverage and video of the proceedings, please visit the IACHR's website, accessible here. 

  • The Foreign Ministers meet in the Hall of Honor, in the National Congress building in Valparaiso, Chile. (OAS Photo)
    Conference Marks Democratic Charter Anniversary

    September 3-4, 2011: The OAS and the Republic of Chile hosted the conference - "Hemispheric Commemoration of the Tenth Anniversary of the Inter-American Democratic Charter and Renewal of the Commitment of the Americas to Democracy." Deputy Secretary of State William J. Burns headed the United States delegation. 

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  • Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (Logo).
    Inter-American Commission on Human Rights

    The IACHR is a principal and autonomous organ of the OAS whose mission is to promote and protect human rights in the Americas.

  • DipNote logo
    DipNote

    DipNote is the official blog of the U.S. Department of State —a place to share stories, discuss experiences, and inspire new ideas on the important foreign policy issues of the day.

  • OAS Youth
    OAS Youth
    The OAS Youth Agenda aims to provide young people with leadership skills in order to safeguard their future and the future of the countries in the Hemisphere.