The State Department’s Advisory Committee on Private International Law will meet Feb. 26 in Washington, D.C., to discuss possible topics related to arbitration and conciliation for consideration by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL). State says the UNCITRAL working group on arbitration and conciliation has no issues on the agenda after it finishes its current work on treaty-based investor-state arbitration. To attend, contact State by Feb. 19 to arrange for security preclearance.

The State Department announced the designation of Lashkar i Jhangvi as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. Determined after consultation with the Justice and Treasury Departments, the designation includes a prohibition against knowingly providing, attempting or conspiring to provide material support or resources or engaging in transactions with the organization. The designation also freezes all property and interests of the organization in the U.S. or in the control of U.S. citizens.

The Greek term as European Union (EU) president paves the way for progress in the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), in light of the country’s support for the trade pact, said State Department Assistant Secretary for Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, Victoria Nuland, speaking in Athens on Feb. 3. “One of the key engines for that kind of growth, and the jobs that we need on both sides of the Atlantic is the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership that we’re negotiating, the TTIP between the United States and the EU,” said Nuland. “We’re very grateful for Greece’s support for it; it really is the engine of our economic future together.” The Greek presidency expires six months following Jan. 1.

The State Department's Directorate of Defense Trade Controls issued the following name and address changes on Feb. 3:

The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs’ Defense Trade Advisory Group (DTAG) is soliciting membership applications from defense industry experts, along with defense trade and labor association personnel. DTAG is designed to provide the State Bureau of Political-Military Affairs a mechanism to consult with private sector defense exporters and specialists on U.S. laws, policies, and regulations for munitions exports. DTAG advises State on methods of reducing obstacles to non-threatening exports, while preserving national security interests. DTAG addresses the following subject matters:

The State Department designated Ziyad al-Nakhalah as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. The designation provides the ability to block funds transfers to al-Nakhalah without prior notice.

The State Department’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls systems will undergo maintenance on Jan. 31 from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The DTrade system will be unavailable to accept submissions during this time period. EFS, TRS, ELLIE and MARY will be unavailable, as will the www.pmddtc.state.gov website.

The State Department's Directorate of Defense Trade Controls issued the following name and address changes on Jan. 29:

The State Department’s Overseas Security Advisory Council will hold a closed door meeting on Feb. 11-12 that will involve discussion on trade secrets and confidential, proprietary commercial information. The agenda will include a global threat overview and matters related to the protection of U.S. business information overseas.

The State Department's Directorate of Defense Trade Controls issued the following name and address changes on Jan. 24: