Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs

?? The U.S. delegation just wrapped up an incredible week in Gyeongju and Seoul for the First Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM1) and Related Meetings of #APECKOREA2025. Ambassador Matt Murray, the U.S. APEC team, and colleagues from the U.S. interagency participated in a broad slate of meetings on trade, investment, energy, health, and digital and technology innovation issues, advancing economic policies that make America safer, stronger, and more prosperous.? Alongside senior government officials, business leaders, and stakeholders from across the Indo-Pacific, the U.S. delegation worked to closely align U.S. Administration priorities and the ROK’s objectives as host of APEC 2025.? A special thank you to ROK's APEC Team for their hard work in putting together an ambitious APEC agenda and for their warm hospitality (including the amazing cultural dome experience) which made this a week to remember. Our gratitude to all those from the U.S. Embassy in Seoul and Consulate in Busan that helped make our visit a reality. We look forward to continuing the work with APEC member economies during SOM2 in Jeju and SOM3 in Seoul to bring greater prosperity to our region. ?? ??

Space exploration brings nations together in the pursuit of discovery. NASA’s SpaceX Crew-10 mission is a great example of how international partnerships drive innovation beyond our planet. Three astronauts and one cosmonaut from the United States, Japan, and Russia will launch aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft today en route to the International Space Station. As we look ahead to future space exploration—from the Moon to Mars and beyond—partnerships like these are essential for global cooperation and scientific progress. ???? NASA's SpaceX Crew-10 mission is set to launch today from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Watch the launch and follow the mission live: https://lnkd.in/ecciX4BN #SpaceDiplomacy #Crew10

Follow OES across all of our platforms for the latest on how U.S. environment and science diplomacy is making America stronger, safer, and more prosperous.

This past year, the?Global Innovation through Science and Technology Initiative (GIST), supported by the U.S. Department of State, supported 249 small business innovators in over 27 economies to inspire collaboration and empower science and technology entrepreneurs to solve global challenges. The U.S. offered its expertise and mentorship through U.S.-based exchanges and in-country experiences to bridge borders and embolden the next generation of leaders. Learn more about the GIST initiative's 2024 impact here:?https://lnkd.in/ge-ii_C4 ???https://lnkd.in/ed9WARyH #ScienceInnovation??

I’m signing off today as the Acting Assistant Secretary for OES. It has been the honor of a lifetime to lead a team of extraordinary professionals and public servants committed to making our planet healthier and more sustainable. I’m deeply grateful to our partners and colleagues whose support and?collaboration made this journey so impactful. Thank you for everything! – JRL

In 2024, OES celebrated 50 years of environmental and science diplomacy! Here’s a recap of some of the progress we’ve made over the past four years. From tackling plastic pollution to advancing international cooperation in space exploration, OES has been at the forefront of global action. Thank you to all of our partners for your contributions for a healthier future.

The United States was proud to sponsor the 2024 Intellectual Property Summit in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. It featured interactive sessions to help those in Indo-Pacific countries learn and adopt best practices for intellectual property and technology transfer. The summit left participants better equipped to commercialize their intellectual property and benefit their economies. #FulbrightUniversityVietnam #TechnologyTransfer

?? Progress for Our Ocean ?? Today, President Biden sent to the Senate the historic High Seas Treaty, an international agreement that will strengthen the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction. The High Seas Treaty protects high seas freedoms and promotes high seas scientific research and innovation, while establishing mechanisms for protecting high seas ecosystems. The treaty also creates rules of the road which will incentivize companies to invest in research and development using high seas marine genetic resources. This Treaty is a major step forward in the global effort to secure the blue economy and tackle the challenges facing our ocean. #HighSeasTreaty #BBNJ https://lnkd.in/euGjJaqc

What does the State Department have to do with space exploration? Plenty! We work with our colleagues at NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration to bring together nations with a common vision for peaceful, sustainable, and transparent cooperation in space.? This week at a ceremony at NASA headquarters, we welcomed Austria as the 50th signatory to the Artemis Accords, which set out principles to chart the way forward for peaceful cooperation in space. Learn more about the State Department’s role and how this project will make it easier for international partners to work together on future missions, like going to the moon and beyond.??

“It is hugely important to see people who look like you.” The latest episode of our documentary series “The Color of Space” looks at the personal journeys of Black women astronauts like Jeanette Epps and Jessica Watkins – as well as the impact of representation on them and the next generation of space explorers. Watch for free on NASA+: https://lnkd.in/egdPXnnn