US Mission Geneva

Today, because of advances in technology and falling trade barriers, information and ideas circle the globe faster and more freely than ever. But these same trends have also increased intellectual piracy, from illegal file downloads to bootleg recordings to counterfeit products.

Each year, inadequate nutrition contributes to 3.5 million deaths among children under five. Undernutrition robs the developing world of critical human capital and capacity, and undermines other development investments in health, education, and economic growth. It also perpetuates the cycle of poverty and hunger by leading to poor health, lower levels of educational attainment, and reduced productivity and lifetime earnings.”

Over the past three months there has been a strong outpouring of international support for Haiti. We have a lot to show for our efforts – however we know more must be done to help Haitians recover. Over 140 nations, in cooperation with the Haitian government and the UN system, have provided immediate assistance and relief to millions of Haitians including, temporary shelter, food, sanitation, education and medical assistance.

Malaria is one of the greatest threats to the health of nearly half the world’s population. It is the fifth leading cause of death from infectious diseases worldwide and the second leading cause of death in Africa, after HIV/AIDS. The most vulnerable among us — children, pregnant women, and people living with HIV/AIDS — are the hardest hit by malaria.

Malaria control is a core component of President Obama’s Global Health Initiative and is critical to USG efforts to help countries meet the Millennium Development Goal target to reduce the mortality in children under age five by two-thirds.

Today, a core group of finance ministers from the United States, Canada, Spain and South Korea, as well as the leadership of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, met at the U.S. Department of the Treasury to announce an initial contribution of $880 million for a new fund to tackle global hunger and poverty and to discuss ways to foster additional contributions from the public and private sectors around the world.

I am pleased to announce that the United States proposes to contribute $475 million toward the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program – a new fund that will reduce global hunger and poverty by increasing agriculture productivity, linking farmers to markets and improving rural infrastructure. Our commitment is key to the Administration’s efforts to enhance food security, raise rural incomes and promote stability in poor countries.

For more than 30 years, this agency has supported projects that promote conservation of species and habitats in ways that reduce poverty and increase incomes. USAID works with local communities, governments and international partners to improve the management of more than 100 million hectares of natural areas annually.

On April 21, 2010, representatives of the United States Government and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) signed a bilateral Framework for Cooperation agreement for the years 2010 and 2011, signaling their continued partnership to advance protection, assistance and durable solutions for refugees, stateless persons, and other vulnerable persons of concern.