statedept:

1. U.S. and Cuba Re-establish Diplomatic Relations: In January, Cuba and the United States began talks to re-establish diplomatic relations after 54 years. Those talks resulted in the July re-opening of the Cuban Embassy in Washington, D.C. and the United States Embassy in Havana. To mark the occasion, Secretary Kerry traveled to Havana, Cuba, where he watched as the American flag was raised at the Embassy building there.

2. COP21 Climate Change Agreement: In December, world leaders from across the globe gathered in Paris for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21) to focus on the fight against climate change and negotiate an ambitious, inclusive and durable global climate agreement. 

3. Iran Nuclear Agreement Announced: The Nuclear Agreement with Iran, known formally as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), was finalized in July 2015. After weeks of intense multilateral negotiations on the ground in Vienna, it was announced that an agreement had been reached, one that would ensure Iran’s nuclear program will be exclusively peaceful. 

“The agreement we’ve reached, fully implemented, will bring insight and accountability to Iran’s nuclear program – not for a small number of years, but for the lifetime of that program. This is the good deal that we have sought.” - Secretary of State John Kerry on the Iran Deal

4. Second “Our Ocean” Conference: In October, the Chilean government hosted the second global “Our Ocean” conference in Valparaiso. During the conference – which brought together individuals, experts, practitioners, advocates, lawmakers, and the international ocean and foreign policy communities to look at ways to protect our ocean – the United States announced the creation of two new national marine sanctuaries. Secretary Kerry also used the opportunity to underscore three key areas for engagement: ocean monitoring, stopping illegal fishing, and climate change.

5. Bringing Peace, Stability to Syria: The conflict in Syria has continued to unfold in tragic ways over the course of 2015. From the humanitarian crisis endured by refugees fleeing violence, to the reprehensible human rights violations and violence carried out by the Asad regime, the Syrian people have borne a heavy load. The United States and many members of the international community have stepped up to aid the Syrian people during their time of need – the United States has led the world in humanitarian aid contributions since the crisis began in 2011. 

More of the Pivotal Foreign Policy Moments of 2015