What U.S. government agencies work in the U.S. Embassies?

When the U.S. Ambassador convenes a Country Team meeting, heads of the Consular, Political, Economic, Management, Security, and Public Diplomacy sections will all be around the table. In large Missions such as Mexico City, Cairo, New Delhi, Harare, London and Paris, as well as in many medium-sized posts, representatives from other agencies will participate in discussions about Mission activities, events in the host country, and how to best achieve U.S. goals.

More than 27 U.S. Government agencies work overseas. All agency representatives serve under the authority of the U.S. Ambassador of the country in which they work.

The Departments of Commerce and Agriculture, like the Department of State and USAID, depend on their Foreign Service officers to carry out the agency’s programs abroad, working to promote U.S. products and services to ensure that American farmers and businesses can compete fairly and effectively abroad.

In developing countries, the U.S. Agency for International Development is an integral partner with the Department of State in carrying out the President’s foreign policies through economic development and humanitarian assistance.

Most embassies have a Defense Attaché Office (DAO) headed by a defense attaché – the DATT. The DAO, which may have representatives from more than one military branch, represents the U.S. Defense Department and advises the ambassador on military matters.

Other U.S. agencies with offices abroad include: The Departments of Homeland Security (Coast Guard and Immigration and Customs Enforcement), Justice, (FBI, DEA), and Treasury, the Center for Disease Control (CDC), and the Library of Congress, among others.

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