The following is attributable to USAID Spokesperson Jessica Jennings:
Administrator Samantha Power arrived today at the World Economic Forum to champion the role that the private sector can play in unlocking solutions to some of the most pressing global challenges.
On her first day at the World Economic Forum, Administrator Power participated in the panel discussion, Democracy: The Way Forward, with government and civil society leaders. Administrator Power discussed the internal and external attacks democracies are facing, and highlighted ways the Biden-Harris Administration is working with partners around the world to address economic, social, and environmental challenges that jeopardize democratic progress. She discussed USAID’s approach to supporting democratic openings, from strengthening support to civil society and free press to approaches targeted at new anti-democratic tactics like helping journalists defend against lawsuits. She emphasized the need for governments to deliver economic dividends, underscoring USAID’s work to help political reformers demonstrate concrete results.
She also stressed that governments must innovate to build trust in democracy by improving the way they engage with the people they serve, highlighting Ukraine’s Diia app for government e-services as an example of how countries can make progress on digital transformation. During the event, Administrator Power also announced new support for the Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation to reduce trade barriers in burgeoning democracies.
Administrator Power then met with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk to discuss how to modernize and operationalize support for human rights through cutting-edge approaches in digital technology, behavior science, and data.