Washington, DC - Today, at a meeting with leaders of small island nations, President Obama announced a U.S. contribution of $30 million to climate risk insurance initiatives in the Pacific, Central America, and Africa. As part of a broader set of actions to help vulnerable populations strengthen their climate resilience, from providing climate data, tools and services, to incorporating climate resilience considerations into development assistance, the contributions announced today will increase climate risk insurance coverage to help respond to severe climate-related impacts.

Washington, DC - We are deeply troubled by Russia’s continued restrictions against civil society organizations in Russia.  Today’s designation of the Open Society Foundations and the Open Society Institute Assistance Foundation as so-called “undesirable” organizations will only further restrict the work of civil society in Russia for the benefit of the Russian people.  This action is yet another example of the Russian Government’s growing crackdown on independent voices and a deliberate step to further isolate the Russian people from the world.

Washington, DC - The Advisory Committee on International Law provides a valuable forum for the exchange of views among leading international law experts on U.S. policy on important international law issues.

Paris, France - President Obama and President Xi met in Paris today on the opening day of the 21st Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. 

Washington, DC - Secretary of State John Kerry: "On behalf of President Obama and the American people, I congratulate all Romanians on the celebration of your Unification Day.

Washington, DC - The President met today with Chinese President Xi Jinping to reaffirm their shared determination to work together and with others to achieve an ambitious climate agreement at the Paris climate negotiations.  They set priorities for U.S.-China relations in 2016.