C’est un grand plaisir pour moi d’être ici avec vous aujourd’hui. D’abord, c’est la première opportunité pour moi de rencontrer nos partenaires de Solutions Locales et Konbit. Mais surtout, je suis ravi que ma première sortie officielle marque le lancement d’un projet tout à fait particulier et innovateur. En effet, c’est un important projet d’assistance directe à des organisations et entreprises Haïtiennes.
USAID is no stranger to working with faith-based organizations. Since USAID’s creation in 1961, by President John F. Kennedy, the first Catholic president in U.S. history, we have engaged with religious leaders and institutions to end extreme poverty, respond to human suffering and as, President Kennedy said, “to establish the principle that all the people are entitled to a decent way of life.” As State Secretary Silberhorn also said, with 84 percent of people around the world identifying with a religious group, it is impossible to be effective in the world without strong partnerships with faith-based groups and religious leaders.
It is an exciting and pivotal time for U.S. policy in the Asia-Pacific region. It is the most dynamic, fastest growing region in the world. Over the next five years, nearly half of all growth outside the United States is expected to come from Asia.
The Free Maternity Services policy introduced in 2013 has greatly increased demand for health services For this reason, in addition to providing medical equipment to hospitals, ample space in these facilities for health services is also necessary. We have worked with counties, including Machakos, to meet this need by renovating maternal and newborn units, including hospitals in Kangundo and Athi River.
Yet, even if a woman owns a computer or mobile phone, she won’t use it to its full potential if she lacks the necessary skills and confidence. USAID is proud that through our partnership in the Women and the Web Alliance, we are improving the digital literacy skills and confidence of women to use technology in improving their lives.
As you already know, trafficking in persons is a global human rights challenge. The criminal networks involved in trafficking make huge profits by preying upon the most vulnerable in our region. This destructive practice breaks down rule of law, corrupts global commerce, and severely disrupts the social fabric in affected communities.
For the past 60 years, the Government and the people of the United States have demonstrated a strong commitment to assisting Sri Lanka in achieving sustainable development for a stable, democratic, and prosperous nation.
Today we are launching a collection of inspiring stories of ordinary men and women who are advancing tourism throughout the Philippines. They come from places as far north as Ilocos Norte and as far south as Zamboanga. Tourism Stories is an invitation to everyone to celebrate the triumph of the Filipino spirit amid adversity. This book features stories of vulnerable men and women who have overcome hardships, forging dignified livelihoods through tourism, and helping to advance the sector throughout the Philippines.
On behalf of the United States Government, I congratulate the Government of Vietnam on the Prime Minister’s establishment of the National Committee on Disability – or NCD – last October and on today’s inaugural meeting.
The TPP offers a platform for expanding education and training services trade among TPP countries, particularly Vietnam. This could include online courses delivered by U.S. universities, exchange of education professionals, and U.S. and Vietnamese students studying at institutions in each other's countries.
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