Secretary Blinken to Deliver Remarks and Sign Memorandum of Understanding with the Smithsonian Institution

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken will deliver remarks and sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to expand cooperation between the Department of State and the Smithsonian Institution at a signing ceremony on Tuesday, December 19, at 3:30 p.m. ET. The expanded MOU will foster increased collaboration and reinvigorate the joint commitment to an inclusive range of cultural, educational, and scientific activities, programs, and exchanges. Secretary of the Smithsonian Lonnie G. Bunch III will sign on behalf of the Smithsonian Institution.

Secretary Blinken will be joined by Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Elizabeth M. Allen, Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Lee Satterfield, and Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs Jennifer R. Littlejohn. The signing ceremony will take place at the Department of State.

Secretary Blinken's remarks will be open press and live streamed on www.state.gov and www.YouTube.com/statedept.

Preset time for video cameras is at 2:45 p.m. from the 23rd Street entrance. Final access for writers and still photographers is at 3:00 p.m. from the 23rd Street entrance.

Media representatives may attend this event upon presentation of one of the following: (1) a U.S. Government-issued photo media credential (e.g., Department of State, White House, Congress, Department of Defense or Foreign Press Center), or (2) an official photo identification card issued by their news organization, or (3) a letter from their employer on official letterhead verifying their current employment as a journalist.

For more information about the MOU regarding science and research-related cooperation, please contact OES Press at [email protected]. For inquiries related to cultural and educational aspects of the MOU, please contact ECA Press at [email protected].

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