USGLC

U.S. foreign assistance agencies are leading across the government and the world in transparency and accountability, according to The 2020 Aid Transparency Index, issued by Publish What You Fund. The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) is ranked first among U.S. federal agencies and seventh in the world for aid transparency. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) achieved its best performance as well, rising to the top tier of the “good” category and the State Department moved into the “good” category for the first time.

While half of the planet is on COVID-19 lockdown, more than 17 million South Koreans— including two 116-year-old women— left their homes last Wednesday to vote in the country’s parliamentary election. Thanks to South Korea’s successful response to the crisis, voters like 36-year-old Kim Yu-jin felt safe enough to go to the polls with her husband and daughter.

On his first trip to Africa as Secretary of State, Secretary Mike Pompeo announced a new partnership earlier this week between American company, Weldy Lamont and Senegal’s national electric company — stating that the partnership will build on the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC)’s $550 million Senegal Power Compact to “provide energy to rural areas … generating electricity throughout the country.”

Did you know that the vanilla we use in everything from ice cream to beauty products to baked goods, particularly during the holiday season, is mainly produced in just a few developing countries?  The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is helping farmers to build a sustainable vanilla industry while benefiting U.S. businesses and consumers alike.

With the youth population in Africa projected to double to 1 billion by 2050, America’s military and development professionals have increasingly recognized that engaging youth is critical to peace and prosperity. The United States has a remarkable legacy of leveraging its development and diplomacy programs to drive economic growth and mitigate the conditions that make communities vulnerable to recruitment by extremist groups.

Speaking to students, farmers, and business leaders in Iowa at the beginning of the month, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo reaffirmed America’s commitment to promote global food security and prosperity in the American agricultural sector. He explained that the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the State Department “work hard to support American agriculture … so that you all can sell pork and beef, and Kansas can sell their wheat … all the things that America makes so wonderfully.”

An unusual coalition – from Secretaries of State, Commerce, Treasury, and Defense to the heads of America’s development agencies, from a Democratic Senator to a Freedom Caucus member, and from a National Security Advisor to leaders of private and public sector organizations including the World Bank, UNICEF, UPS, P&G, Deloitte, and Walmart – joined the President this week, committing America to promote women’s economic empowerment around the world.

The path forward in Venezuela remains uncertain since National Assembly President Juan Guaidó took the oath of office and declared himself the legitimate interim president of Venezuela. He was quickly recognized by the United States, Canada, and much of Central and Latin America, even as Russia, China, and Turkey warned they would continue to support President Maduro. While the Administration insists that no options are “off the table,” it has so far focused on a strong diplomatic and economic response to defend democratic values and encourage a peaceful transition of power. As the crisis unfolds, here are three critical issues to watch as the hunger and political crisis in Venezuela continues to spiral downward.

Thanksgiving is upon us and families will come together to give thanks and share a meal that connects people all across America. And while we celebrate this American tradition here at home, it’s important to remember the millions around the world who don’t know where they will find their next meal.

Africa – with its growing middle class and expanding infrastructure – is home to six out of the twelve fastest growing economies in the world, and represents an enormous economic opportunity to elevate America’s trade and investment relationships. But as America faces competition from countries like China with its state-sponsored investment activities in Africa, how can the U.S. effectively capitalize on the immense economic opportunity and not risk falling behind? The answer lies with America’s development and diplomacy programs, helping to level the playing field and create an enabling environment for American businesses to compete in developing countries.