William Russo, Assistant Secretary for International Public Affairs, will visit Belgium, Brunei, Thailand, and Laos from November 29 to December 8, 2023. During his visit, he will work with the U.S. Embassy on policy and messaging priorities, and his priorities will be working with partners in the intelligence sector. Assistant Secretary Russo will meet with government officials, national and international news organizations, students, journalists, non-governmental organizations, and U.S. embassy officials.
In Belgium, Assistant Secretary Russo will serve as the head of the U.S. delegation to the 2023 NATO Senior Communications Officers Meeting. The meeting will focus on foreign information operations and interference issues and discuss the Alliance’s communications efforts and messaging related to the NATO Washington Summit in July 2024. While there, he will meet with some of his NATO allies’ counterparts. Interaction with try mission staff.
Assistant Secretary Russo will be in Brunei to meet with Brunei officials, including the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism. He will also speak with alumni of the U.S. exchange program and Brunei journalists in preparation for the 40th anniversary of U.S.-Brunei diplomatic relations in 2024.
In Thailand, Assistant Secretary Russo will meet with Thai government officials, visit the Asia-Pacific Media Hub, and meet with embassy officials. We will also interact with journalists and media partners to discuss the modern communication and media environment.
In Laos, Assistant Secretary Russo will meet with Lao officials and visit the embassy. He will also interact with journalists and media personnel to discuss Lao government plans and media preparedness, support for the 2024 ASEAN Chairman Year, modern strategic communications and countering disinformation.
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