16 DECEMBER 2024 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL The OIG made 21 recommendations aimed at addressing these deficiencies. The bureau agreed with 20 of the recommendations. Full details of the report can be found at https://www.stateoig.gov/report/isp-i-24-16. New Appointments to State Modernization Commission President Joe Biden has announced his intention to appoint four new members to the State Department’s Commission on Reform and Modernization, a panel tasked with addressing the challenges of modern diplomacy. Established by the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act, the commission has 18 months to deliver its findings to Congress and the president. The appointees are all former State Department officials with extensive experience. They include retired FSO Ambassador Michael Guest, who previously served as deputy executive secretary and principal deputy assistant secretary for legislative affairs; Ambassador (ret.) Pamela Spratlen, who previously led the investigation into anomalous health incidents; Caroline Tess, a former deputy assistant secretary for Mexico, Canada, and regional economic policy who is currently executive director at National Security Action; and Ricardo Zúniga, former principal deputy assistant secretary for Western Hemisphere affairs. The commission is charged with making recommendations to improve the department’s organizational structure, personnel training, and global facilities. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Deputy Secretary for Management and Resources Richard Verma have voiced their support for the commission’s work, aligning with Blinken’s ongoing efforts to modernize the agency to meet current global challenges, such as cybersecurity and strategic competition with China. The commission received $2 million in funding for its work in the Fiscal Year 2024 omnibus spending bill. These new members will join others appointed by Congress, including Rep. Max Miller (R-Ohio) and former Deputy Secretary of State and Ambassador to Russia John Sullivan. “Embassy 2050” to Future-Proof U.S. Embassies Northwestern University, in partnership with the State Department’s Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations and Chicago-based architecture firm Krueck Sexton Partners, has developed a comprehensive five-year plan, “Embassy 2050,” that reimagines more than 280 diplomatic locations. Led by sustainability expert Kimberly Gray and the State Department’s Curtis F. Clay, the project aims to enhance the resilience of embassies and consulates worldwide in the face of global challenges such as climate change, technological advancements, and resource scarcity. Gray emphasized the urgency: “Climate change isn’t just a threat; it’s a threat multiplier.” The project’s final designs, completed this summer, are now being considered for implementation in the State Department’s six-year capital plan. The report includes recommendations for transitioning to renewable energy sources, enhancing water sustainability, and creating personalized indoor environments to improve comfort and reduce energy use. The initiative seeks to ensure the long-term safety and operational continuity of U.S. diplomatic facilities. n This edition of Talking Points was compiled by Mark Parkhomenko.
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