On September 20, Administrator Samantha Power began the day meeting with the President of the Republic of Moldova Maia Sandu on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. Administrator Power and President Sandu discussed Moldova's energy security, economic opportunities and outlook, and efforts to support the export of Ukrainian grain. Administrator Power underscored the strong U.S. support for Moldova, including President Sandu's efforts to advance judicial, economic, and anti-corruption reforms.
Administrator Power met with President Luis Abinader of the Dominican Republic. They discussed progress on key shared development priorities, including increasing access to capital for women entrepreneurs. Administrator Power and President Abinader discussed the situation in Haiti and progress on a Multinational Security Support mission to assist the Haitian National Police in addressing insecurity caused by gang violence. Administrator Power and President Abinader spoke about the Dominican Republic's recent border closure with Haiti and potential steps to alleviate humanitarian impacts. Administrator Power underscored USAID's commitment to helping address relevant concerns of both the Dominican Republic and Haiti, and urged a prompt resolution to address humanitarian needs and the economic interests of both countries.
At the second annual "Democracy Delivers" event, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Administrator Power convened a meeting between leaders from USAID's cohort of Democracy Delivers countries, and more than a dozen philanthropic and private sector partners, to discuss partnerships that advance democratic reforms and deliver meaningful gains and improved livelihoods around the world. Organized in partnership with the Ford Foundation and The Rockefeller Foundation, participants at the event announced investments totaling more than $255 million to enhance the provision of essential services and bring about tangible progress for citizens in countries experiencing democratic openings. Countries of focus under the Democracy Delivers Initiative include Armenia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Malawi, Maldives, Moldova, Nepal, Tanzania, and Zambia.
The United States pledged over $145 million, including more than $35 million in new funding through USAID, for the Democracy Delivers cohort. Additionally, the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation announced nearly $110 million to support new-private sector-led projects. A range of philanthropic and private sector partners also announced commitments totaling over $110 million to support development and reform efforts in Democracy Delivers countries and advance the broader goal of bolstering democratic openings.
Following the Democracy Delivers event, Administrator Power met with the leaders of several foundations who endorse the Donor Statement on Supporting Locally Led Development - representing a major milestone in building a global coalition of funders who are committed to advancing locally led development.
Administrator Power then met with Ireland's Foreign and Defense Minister Micheál Martin. Administrator Power and Minister Martin discussed shared development priorities of the United States and Ireland, including food security and expanding support for locally-led adaptation. They also discussed the U.S.-Ireland partnership on the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate (AIM For Climate) Innovation Sprint in Malawi, and opportunities to expand this initiative.
In a meeting with Rwanda President Paul Kagame, Administrator Power and President Kagame discussed efforts to address global development challenges, including the impacts of climate change and food insecurity. They also discussed the achievements of the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) in Rwanda, and opportunities to enhance educational opportunities for young Rwandans. Administrator Power emphasized the importance of dialogue with the Democratic Republic of Congo to de-escalate fighting in Eastern Congo and the urgency of addressing the humanitarian crisis, one of the world's most long-standing and catastrophic humanitarian emergencies.
