United States and Hungary Partner on Advancing Religious Freedom in the Middle East and Africa

On February 4, 2026, the United States and Hungary formalized a partnership to advance religious freedom initiatives across the Middle East and Africa, with Deputy Secretary for Management and Resources Michael J. Rigas and Hungary's State Secretary for the Aid of Persecuted Christians working together to address religious persecution and promote freedom of worship. The collaboration represents a significant diplomatic effort between two nations with shared interests in protecting religious minorities and fostering interfaith dialogue in regions where religious freedom faces significant challenges. The agreement establishes joint programs for monitoring religious freedom conditions, providing humanitarian assistance to persecuted communities, and advocating for policy reforms that protect religious rights. Both countries emphasized the importance of international cooperation in addressing religious intolerance and committed to sharing intelligence and best practices to support vulnerable religious groups in conflict zones and authoritarian regimes.