The U.S. Department of State consists of bureaus and offices responsible for handling various interests and policy initiatives of the Department. Each bureau handles issues that range from climate change to human rights, and bureaus work together to advocate the mission of the U.S. Department of State overseas.

Some bureaus are “regional,” such as the Bureau of African Affairs and the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, and others are “functional,” dealing with specific external issues or internal responsibilities, like the Bureau for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor; the Bureau of Administration; and the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs. Please note that the State Department Organization chart will open a new window.