Secretary Blinken travels to Canada; Deputy Secretary Sherman travels to Tokyo and Seattle; Celebrating Diwali; and more.

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View as a webpage  /  Share The Week at State  | October 24 - 30 Take a look at The Week at State video for a review of last week's key events, including Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken's trip to Canada and his meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog. Secretary Blinken also hosted a Diwali reception and commemorated 10 years of the TechWomen program, the Department of State's premier exchange for women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Visit our YouTube channel for more videos. Secretary Blinken Travels to Canada On October 27 and 28, Secretary Blinken traveled to Ottawa and Montreal, Canada. This visit strengthened our vital partnership with Canada to address shared goals, including providing continued support for Ukraine, addressing the humanitarian crisis in Haiti, deepening our cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and Arctic regions, and advancing cooperation on migration and refugee resettlement in the Americas and across the world. Learn about U.S. and Canadian relations and read more about Secretary Blinken's trip on State.gov.   Secretary Blinken Meets with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau "I met with @JustinTrudeau in Ottawa to discuss our shared priorities, from strengthening North American competitiveness to supporting Ukraine and Haiti. It is always a pleasure to speak about our close friendship and common values – even more so while on Canadian soil," Secretary Blinken on Twitter. Read Secretary Blinken and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's remarks before their meeting. Secretary Blinken Meets with Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly "Grateful to @melaniejoly for such a warm welcome to Ottawa. It was a pleasure to join the Foreign Minister for a lunch discussion to underscore the importance of our friendship and partnership to defend and strengthen democracy for future generations," Secretary Blinken on Twitter. Read Secretary Blinken and Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly's remarks at a joint press availability.  Café Ukraine Community Center Supporting Ukrainian Refugees "Whether through language and community support, or just providing a welcoming cup of coffee for people affected by Russia's war, Ottawa's Café Ukraine has been instrumental in helping Ukrainian newcomers build a new future in Canada. Glad to visit @Slava_Kava today," Secretary Blinken on Twitter. Global Food Security Suspension of the Black Sea Grain Initiative "The Black Sea Grain Initiative has already moved more than 9 million metric tons of grain and lowered global food prices, including for developing countries. The Initiative has been a tremendous success and must continue. Russia must stop weaponizing food," Department Spokesperson Ned Price on Twitter. Read Secretary's Blinken's press statement on the suspension of the Black Sea Grain Initiative. Alliances and Partnerships Secretary Blinken and Israeli President Isaac Herzog Meeting "Wonderful to see my friend @Isaac_Herzog today in Washington D.C. We discussed the ironclad U.S.-Israel relationship and Israel's security, including the urgent need to de-escalate the situation in the West Bank," Secretary Blinken on Twitter. Read Secretary Antony Blinken and Israeli President Isaac Herzog's remarks before their meeting. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman in Japan "Great to see Foreign Minister Hayashi, Vice Foreign Minister Mori, and First Vice Foreign Minister Cho in Tokyo. Together, the U.S., Republic of Korea, and Japan are addressing security challenges in the Indo-Pacific and beyond," Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman on Twitter. Read about Deputy Secretary of State Sherman's meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa, Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Mori Takeo, and Republic of Korea First Vice Foreign Minister Cho Hyundong. U.S. Foreign Policy at Home Deputy Secretary Sherman Visits Seattle "Excited to be back in Seattle to highlight the public and private investment at home that builds U.S. foreign policy strength. I'll be engaging partners across government, business, and academia to generate new ideas to elevate our foreign policy," Deputy Secretary Sherman on Twitter. Deputy Secretary Sherman discussed the future of global telecom, secure digital infrastructure, 5G and 6G networks, and expanding access to connectivity around the world at a meeting at TMobile. She also met with Washington Governor Jay Inslee and Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, and she visited the Seattle Passport Agency. Read more about Deputy Secretary Sherman's trip on State.gov. Introducing U.S. Special Representative for Subnational Diplomacy Strengthening "Excited to join Twitter as @StateDept's first Special Representative for Subnational Diplomacy! Our mission is to strengthen ties between the State Department and mayors, governors and other local officials in the United States and around the world," U.S. Special Representative for Subnational Diplomacy Strengthening Nina Hachigian on Twitter. Read U.S. Special Representative for Subnational Diplomacy Strengthening's Mission (Twitter Thread). Holidays and Commemorations  Secretary Blinken's Remarks at a Diwali Reception "Diwali is a celebration of the most sacred values: love of family. Kindness towards loved ones and strangers alike. Forgiveness, grace, new beginnings. The holiday also reminds us of the importance of dharma – good conduct – both in individual interactions, and through service to our communities," Secretary Blinken in remarks at a Diwali reception at the State Department. This Week October 29-November 5: Assistant Secretary for Arms Control, Verification and Compliance Mallory Stewart Travels to Tokyo, Japan and Seoul, Republic of Korea November 2: U.S.-Vietnam Human Rights Dialogue November:  Native American Heritage Month November 6-18: COP27 Conference Looking Ahead November 11: Veterans Day   December 1: World AIDS Day   December 10: Human Rights Day December 13-15: U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit Useful links News, information, and guidance about the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Travel advisories and updates on international travel for U.S. Citizens from the Department of State Did you know that you can invite a representative from the Department of State to speak at your school, business, agency or organization? Learn about what we do through the firsthand experience of one of our representatives.  Read More at State.gov Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up to receive The Week At State every week. 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