Speeches

Development assistance like USAID’s is necessary, but clearly not sufficient. We know we must work in close coordination across the U.S. Government as outlined in the strategy. We must avoid siloing this work and instead link it to related efforts, such as the Global Fragility Act; Women, Peace, and Security Act; and others. We recognize the unique approach that each challenge requires, but we also increasingly see that all of these related interventions reinforce each other.

I am very pleased to be together with you all this morning to recognize the vital work and accomplishments of the Democracy Works Foundation and Augustine and his team in collaboration with political parties, academia, civil society, water and energy stakeholders, and social inclusion technical experts. 

I think, first of all, because of rising food prices in this country, I wanted to come to Malawi to bring several new initiatives that could help farmers and ordinary citizens do a better job meeting needs right now. So, we've brought an additional $12 million, begun talks with farmers, with the private sector, with government, about how best to channel those resources. Not a huge amount, but given the needs, every dollar I think counts, given the food security crisis that so many in this country risk facing. 

Thank you all so much for being here today and also for the work that you're doing every day, which is such critical work in any democracy. Since I've come here, I've been asked a number of times, why Zambia? Why now? And I would just start by saying that what is happening in Zambia, what is being attempted in Zambia is very, very rare in the world. In so many countries right now, you see democratic backsliding where human rights are being less, not more respected, where checks and balances on governing authorities are being eroded or taken away rather than strengthened. And ever since young people turned out in mass last year in order to bring about a change in Zambia, President Biden has really been watching from afar what is happening here, really struck by how different it is, how many attempts are afoot to actually strengthen the rule of law, to root out corruption, rather than to strengthen impunity, again, which is happening in so many other places. And so I really wanted to come to Zambia to see up close these efforts to strengthen democracy. But I also, of course, as USAID Administrator, have the privilege of being able to work with our team on the ground, led by Cheryl, to look at what we can do to support Zambian efforts in a whole range of areas.