Category: Sep2013

Building on their June 8 accord on hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in Sunnylands, President Obama and President Xi agreed at their bilateral meeting as a next step to establish a contact group under the Montreal Protocol on HFCs to consider issues related to cost-effectiveness, financial and technology support, safety, environmental benefits, and an amendment to the Montreal…

The Leaders and Representatives of Australia, Canada, France, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States of America made the following statement on the margins of the Group of 20 Nations Leader’s Meeting in Saint Petersburg, Russia: The international norm against the use of chemical weapons is…

Linked below are official G20 documents: Saint Petersburg Leaders Declaration Saint Petersburg Action Plan Tax Annex to the Saint Petersburg Leaders Declaration

Today, President Obama reached separate agreements with the G-20 and with China to combat global climate change by addressing the rapid growth in the use and release of climate-damaging hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). Two statements on HFCs were released today, one in the context of the G20 Leaders’ Declaration and one bilaterally with China. First, G-20 leaders…

In a candid and cordial first meeting held on the margins of the G20 Summit in St. Petersburg, National Security Advisor Rice and Presidential Foreign Policy Advisor Ushakov reviewed the state of U.S.-Russian relations and discussed areas of future cooperation.  In their discussion of Syria, NSA Rice reiterated the United States’ strong view that the…

Mrs. Obama joined Shaquille O’Neal, Allyson Felix and Dominique Dawes to applaud new commitments and urge additional school districts to join at LetsMoveSchools.org Washington, DC – Today, First Lady Michelle Obama visited Orr Elementary in Washington, DC for a back to school event highlighting healthy changes happening in schools and across the country. Joined by…

President Obama will welcome to the White House the Amir of Kuwait, His Highness Shaykh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al Sabah, on Friday, September 13.  The United States and Kuwait have a strong relationship, reflecting our common strategic interests, close defense partnership, and shared commitment to promoting peace, economic opportunity, and stability worldwide.  The visit will…

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Obama announced his intent to appoint the following individuals to key Administration posts: Gina S. Farrisee – Assistant Secretary for Human Resources and Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs Megan H. Mack  –  Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, Department of Homeland Security Melissa Savage – Member, Board of Directors…

Bilateral Meetings Pavilion St. Petersburg, Russia 3:16 P.M. MSK PRIME MINISTER ABE:  (As interpreted.)  It is my great pleasure to have a bilateral meeting on the occasion of the G20 today.  Also, it was extremely meaningful for both of us to have a telephone conversation to discuss the situation in Syria.  I certainly look forward…

Great Synagogue Stockholm, Sweden 4:10 P.M. CEST PRESIDENT OBAMA:  Good afternoon.  I want to thank Prime Minister Reinfeldt, Lena Posner-Körösi, and Rabbi Narrowe for welcoming me here to the Great Synagogue — the heart of the Jewish community here in Stockholm. This evening is the first night of the Jewish High Holidays — Rosh Hashanah. …