Six-Party Talks
The fourth round of the Six-Party Talks, held in Beijing, China, began on July 26, 2005 and went into recess on August 7, 2005; the talks resumed on September 13, 2005 and concluded on September 19, 2005, at which time a joint statement was agreed upon and released. The parties agreed to hold the fifth round of Six-Party Talks in Beijing in early November 2005 at a date to be determined through consultations. The six-nation negotiations include North Korea, South Korea, China, Japan, Russia, and the United States.  [more]

U.S. Assistance for Africa
Since 2000, the U.S. has tripled the amount of official development assistance ($3.2 billion) to sub-Saharan Africa in 2004. This is the fastest rate of growth in U.S. foreign assistance since the Marshall Plan.

UN Reform
The U.S. is prepared to help lead the effort to strengthen and reform the UN. See the key issues that we have identified as priorities.

Background Notes are factual publications that contain information on all the countries of the world with which the United States has relations.