The below is attributable to Spokesperson Rebecca Chalif:
On September 8, 2021, Administrator Samantha Power met with Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. They discussed USAID’s 60 years of partnership with the Philippines, and ongoing efforts to combat COVID-19 and strengthen communities’ ability to recover from health and economic shocks caused by the pandemic.
The Philippines is one of USAID’s longest-standing partners, and Administrator Power highlighted decades of collaboration to advance development in the Philippines since 1961. The two discussed the Philippines’ robust efforts to fight COVID-19 and USAID’s ongoing commitment to support their fight against the pandemic. Administrator Power and Secretary Locsin also discussed efforts to continue strengthening the country’s health, economic, and social sectors. Administrator Power and Secretary Locsin expressed their shared commitment to combating climate change, the importance of investing in renewable energy to achieve ambitious climate change goals, and their expectation for progress at COP-26 in Glasgow this November. Administrator Power also stressed the importance of supporting civil society institutions and an independent media.