Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs

Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs
Seal of the United States Department of State
Bureau overview
JurisdictionExecutive branch of the United States
HeadquartersHarry S. Truman Building, Washington, D.C., United States
Employees9,530 (As of 2009)[1]
Annual budget$254 million (FY 2009)[1]
Bureau executive
Parent departmentU.S. Department of State
WebsiteOfficial website

In the United States government, the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs (WHA) is a part of the U.S. Department of State, charged with implementing U.S. foreign policy and promoting U.S. interests in the Western Hemisphere, as well as advising the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs. It is headed by the Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, who is currently Brian A. Nichols.

Organization

The offices of the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs direct, coordinate, and supervise U.S. government activities within the region, including political, economic, consular, public diplomacy, and administrative management issues.[2][3]

Organizational chart of the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs as of 2015

The Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs also oversees the United States Mission to the Organization of American States.[2][3]

References

  1. ^ a b "Report of Inspection of the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs" (PDF). Office of the Inspector General of the Department of State. January 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 11, 2015. Retrieved December 10, 2015.
  2. ^ a b "State Department Student Internship Brochure" (PDF). U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Human Resources. September 2014. Retrieved December 10, 2015.
  3. ^ a b "1 FAM 150 Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs (WHA)". Foreign Affairs Manual. U.S. Department of State. July 7, 2015. Retrieved December 13, 2015.