Secretary Clinton Appoints Special Envoy on Climate Change

On January 26th, 2009, Secretary Clinton appointed Todd Stern as a Special Envoy on Climate Change. Announcing the appointment at a press conference in Washington D.C., Secretary Clinton said:
"With the appointment today of a Special Envoy, we are sending an unequivocal message that the United States will be energetic, focused, strategic and serious about addressing global climate change and the corollary issue of clean energy."

According to Secretary Clinton, the duty of the Special Envoy on Climate Change will be to serve as a principal advisor on international climate policy and strategy and to be the Administration’s chief climate negotiator. He will also lead the Administration’s efforts with the United Nations negotiations and processes involving a smaller set of countries and bilateral sessions. In addition, The Envoy will be a lead participant in the development of climate and clean energy policy. He will participate in all energy-related policy discussions that, across the U.S. government, can have an impact on carbon emissions, and will be looking for opportunities to forge working alliances. 

As the Special Envoy on Climate Change, Stern will be able to draw on both his private sector and government experience. During President Clinton's administration, he worked as a senior advisor in White House where he coordinated the Administration’s work on climate change.  He also served as the senior White House representative at the United Nations climate negotiations in Kyoto and Buenos Aires.  Since leaving government, Stern has remained engaged in domestic and international climate and energy issues as a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress.

To read the press conference in full please click here. To watch a video of the press conference please click here.

United States Congratulates Maldives on Elections

Washington D.C., October 30, 2008: The United States congratulates the people of Maldives on the successful completion of their first multi-party elections. Today's results mark a historic milestone in the transition to political pluralism for Maldives.  This election is the culmination of decades of effort, including four years of work to rewrite the Maldives constitution, introduce a multi-party system, and conduct free and fair elections.  The United States commends President Gayoom for bringing greater prosperity and democracy to the people of Maldives.  We congratulate President-elect Mohamed Nasheed on his victory and look forward to working together to maintain the strong friendship and cooperation between Maldives and the United States. 

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