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March 28 – April 3

April 4 marks 76 years since NATO's founding. The U.S. remains deeply engaged—urging Allies to boost defense spending and strengthen our shared commitment to peace.

Here's what happened at State this week. ⤵️

• 🏆 We honored the 2025 International Women of Courage Award winners for their strength and leadership in advocating for women and girls.
• ✈️ Secretary Rubio traveled to Brussels for the NATO Foreign Ministers' Meeting.
• 🌎 We celebrated the release of Faye Hall, who had been detained in Afghanistan.

Honoring Courageous Women

Secretary Rubio and First Lady Melania Trump pose for a picture with the recipients of the 2025 International Women of Courage Award at the Department of State in Washington April 1, 2025. (State Dept./Freddie Everett)

On April 1, we hosted the 19th annual International Women of Courage Award ceremony, recognizing this year's eight remarkable winners. These women from around the globe have demonstrated exceptional courage, strength, and leadership — often at great personal risk and sacrifice.

Secretary Rubio led the ceremony along with First Lady Melania Trump, celebrating the honorees for the defense of human rights, advocacy for survivors of violence, and promotion of peace in their communities.

To learn more about each recipient, listen to the Secretary's remarks from the event or read their stories.

Making Our Transatlantic Partnerships Stronger to Keep Americans Safe

Secretary Rubio greets the USNATO staff at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, April 3, 2025. (State Dept./Freddie Everett)

"A strong NATO Alliance makes the world safer, but it requires each and every member to step up." - Secretary Rubio

From April 3 to 4, Secretary Rubio attended his first NATO Foreign Ministers' meeting as Secretary of State. Newly confirmed U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker welcomed the Secretary to Brussels and introduced him to U.S. Mission staff. Secretary Rubio also met with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.  

Throughout his engagements with foreign leaders, the Secretary underscored key U.S. security priorities: 

• Advancing equitable burden sharing across the Alliance
• Enhancing collective security by increasing member defense spending to 5% 
• Strengthening Indo-Pacific partnerships against China's unfair trade policies
• Securing lasting peace in Ukraine

"Peace isn't free. It's time for our Allies to increase defense spending," Secretary Rubio said on X.

Bringing Americans Home

This past weekend, we welcomed home Faye Hall, a U.S. citizen released from detention in Afghanistan. We are grateful to the Government of Qatar and the European Union delegation in Kabul for their support. 

"We will not rest until all Americans detained in Afghanistan, and held hostage around the world, are brought home," Secretary Rubio shared on X.

Under President Trump's leadership, we remain steadfast in our commitment to bring home all Americans detained abroad.

News You May Have Missed

• Secretary Rubio traveled to the Caribbean to continue combating transnational crime, illegal immigration, and strengthening economic partnerships.
• Spokesperson Tammy Bruce shared her big takeaway for the week, highlighting the importance of diplomacy.
• The United States responded to the needs of earthquake-affected communities in Burma.
• We transferred individuals from the Tren de Aragua and MS-13 organizations to El Salvador in a successful counterterrorism operation.

Looking Ahead

• April 13: World Expo 2025 begins in Osaka, Japan
• April 23-30: Days of Remembrance of the Victims of the Holocaust

Note to Our Readers

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