|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This is an archived USAID document retained on this web site as a matter of public record.
WE HAVE HAD A LONG YET PRODUCTIVE DAY DELVING MORE DEEPLY INTO THE FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS OF THE CENTRAL AMERICA 2020 STUDIES AS WELL AS THE SUMMARY REPORT. I WILL THEREFORE KEEP MY REMARKS SHORT.
FIRST, I WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS MY THANKS TO THE SECRETARIAT FOR CENTRAL AMERICAN INTEGRATION (SICA) FOR CO-HOSTING THIS EVENT AND TO THE GOVERNMENT OF EL SALVADOR FOR THEIR WARM WELCOME THIS MORNING. IT IS ALWAYS A PLEASURE FOR ME TO RETURN TO EL SALVADOR FROM TIME TO TIME AND SEE THE REMARKABLE PROGRESS THIS COUNTRY CONTINUES TO MAKE IN PROMOTING PARTICIPATORY DEVELOPMENT.
I WAS IMPRESSED BY THE BREADTH AND QUALITY OF THE STUDIES AND FOR THE STIMULATING DISCUSSIONS THEY PROVOKED TODAY. I CONGRATULATE THE AUTHORS AND THE INSTITUTIONS INVOLVED: THE INSTITUTE FOR IBEROAMERICAN STUDIES IN HAMBURG, THE LATIN AMERICAN AND CARIBBEAN CENTER AT FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY, AND THE INTERAMERICAN DIALOGUE.
FINALLY, I WANT TO THANK THE EUROPEAN UNION FOR JOINING WITH THE U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN SUPPORTING THIS JOINT EFFORT TO ASSESS THE REGION'S TRENDS AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGES OVER THE NEXT 20 YEARS. IT REPRESENTS A UNIQUE, INNOVATIVE EXAMPLE OF DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE COLLABORATION FOR BOTH OF US.
THE VARIETY AND COMPLEXITY OF THE DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGES FACING THE REGION ARE DAUNTING. YET IF ONE WERE TO STEP BACK JUST 15 YEARS AGO, REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROSPECTS WERE DIM INDEED. INTERNAL STRIFE AND CONFLICT, LACK OF OPENNESS AND OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPRESS DIFFERING OPINIONS, AND STAGNANT ECONOMIES--THESE WERE THE HALLMARKS OF THE REGION. FEW WOULD HAVE PREDICTED THE POSITIVE DEMOCRATIC AND ECONOMIC CHANGES THAT WOULD OCCUR. SO WHEN WE LOOK AT THE PROSPECTS FOR REGION OVER THE NEXT TWENTY YEARS LET US LOOK AT THESE SOBERING ANALYSES AS CHALLENGES TO BE SURE BUT ALSO AS OPPORTUNITIES.
HOPEFULLY, THESE ANALYSES AND RECOMMENDATIONS WILL LEAD TO CONTINUING DISCUSSION AMONG CENTRAL AMERICANS AND AGREEMENT ON WHERE AND HOW REGIONAL COOPERATION CAN APPROPRIATELY ENHANCE NATIONAL SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS. FOR OUR PART WE HAVE RELIED ON THE CENTRAL AMERICA 2020 STUDIES ALONG WITH OTHER REGIONAL ASSESSMENTS IN DEVELOPING OUR FIVE-YEAR REGIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STRATEGY.
SIX YEARS AGO, CENTRAL AMERICA'S LEADERS ARTICULATED IN THE ALLIANCE FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ALIDES) A VISION FOR THE REGION THAT WE IN USAID BELIEVE IS STILL VALID. WHILE THE CHALLENGES TO ACHIEVING THAT VISION FOR THE REGION ARE STILL FORMIDIBLE, COOPERATION AMONG THE COUNTRIES IS AS NECESSARY AS EVER. AS THE CENTRAL AMERICA 2020 OVERVIEW POINTS OUT GLOBALIZATION INTRODUCES ADDITIONAL CHALLENGES THAT WILL DEMAND THAT PROBLEMS OF HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT BE ADDRESSED, THE STRENGTHENING OF DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS CONTINUE, AND THAT THE PRINCIPLES OF OPENNESS AND PARTICIPATION PERMEATE THE ECONOMY AND GOVERNMENT. WE HOPE TO CONTINUE SUPPORTING THE REGION IN ADDRESSING THESE CHALLENGES.
THANK YOU.
This is an archived USAID document retained on this web site as a matter of public record.
 |
|||
|
