The Lights Are Turning on in Africa

With support from the American people, governments in West Africa are making rapid progress in powering homes and businesses and opening the door to sustainable economic growth: http://go.usa.gov/xkJms.

U.S. Government Economic Delegation to Cairo

Media Note
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
August 25, 2012

A delegation of senior U.S. economic officials will visit Cairo August 27-30 to meet with senior Egyptian officials as well as private sector leaders. The delegation will follow up on Secretary Clinton’s July visit, during which President Morsi and senior Egyptian officials identified broad-based economic growth and job creation as top priorities for the U.S. partnership with Egypt.

The delegation will discuss with the Egyptian government steps to rebuild stability and confidence in Egypt as well as grow its economy, and encourage completion of an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). They will discuss assistance the United States can provide to further support Egypt’s political and economic transition, which aims to realize the aspirations of greater opportunity for all Egyptians.

Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy and the Environment Robert D. Hormats will lead the delegation, which includes senior representatives from the White House, Department of the Treasury, United States Agency for International Development, Office of the United States Trade Representative, and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation.

(Source: state.gov)

Op-Ed: ‘Using Diplomacy To Create Jobs’

Deputy Secretary of State Thomas Nides authored an opinion piece that appears on Politico.com. The text of his piece also follows below:

“Today’s headlines are filled with conflict – from uprisings in Syria to last week’s bomb blasts in New Delhi and Bangkok. So it’s only natural that, when most people think of diplomacy, they think of negotiations on matters of war and peace. But that’s only half the story. Our diplomats and development experts are out there protecting America’s national security, including our economic strength – a dual mandate of peace and prosperity.

"Here’s why we, as diplomats, care about economics: We live in an era when the size of a country’s economy is every bit as important to exercising… more »

(Source: blogs.state.gov)

Secretary Clinton To Participate in G-20 Foreign Affairs Ministers’ Meeting in Mexico

More: Interactive Travel Map | Trip Page | Background Briefing

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is visiting Mexico to participate in the first G-20 Ministers of Foreign Affairs informal meeting in Los Cabos, February 18-20.

The Secretary will discuss key issues the United States and other G-20 members face individually and as partners on global economic matters including principles for the international economic system, green growth and sustainable development, food security, and human development. Secretary Clinton will also hold meetings with counterparts to discuss bilateral issues.

The United States and G-20 partners share many opportunities and challenges and work collaboratively on a wide range of issues. This visit is an opportunity to reinforce close relations among nations and to identify common objectives and strategies to address global challenges and ensure global prosperity.

(Source: blogs.state.gov)

The Aging Population: Economic Growth and Global Competitiveness

About the Author: Robert D. Hormats serves as Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment.

On Tuesday, February 14, the Council on Foreign Relations is holding a meeting on the “The U.S. Aging Population as an Economic Growth Driver for Global Competitiveness.” The event is timely. Standard & Poor’s reports that “No other force is likely to shape the future of national economic health, public finances and policy-making as the irreversible rate at which the world"s population is aging.”

Hence, it’s vital that we create opportunities to enable older persons to contribute to their economies and communities in increasingly effective and productive ways. This will require new policies and innovations that promote healthy aging, including advances in medicine, continued learning, and cultural norms regarding aging. As population aging is elevated to the global agenda, the countries that capitalize on the increasing percentage of older adults, and are able to increasingly… more »

(Source: blogs.state.gov)

Advancing U.S. Economic Statecraft in 2012

About the Author: Jose Fernandez serves as Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs.

This time last year, I made three, broad resolutions for 2011: to continue promoting U.S. job creation; to seek and build overseas economic alliances; and to protect U.S. businesses and their interests. Beyond these three, I also resolved to exploit every opportunity to foster prosperity at home and abroad. It is clear to me that my bureau’s hard work and resilient efforts paid off during 2011. In the wake of the Arab Awakening, we took quick steps to foster economic recovery in the region, including through promotion of entrepreneurship and U.S.-Middle East business relationships. This fall, we seized long-standing opportunities for expanding economic growth by finalizing trade agreements with Colombia, South Korea,… more »

(Source: blogs.state.gov)

Live Webcast: Secretary Clinton To Address Principles for Prosperity in the Asia Pacific

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is traveling to Turkey, Greece, India, Indonesia, Hong Kong, and China. The Secretary will participate in a live stream event from Hong Kong to discuss “Principles for Prosperity in the Asia Pacific.” The event will be streamed live approximately at 12:00 a.m. (EDT) Sunday, July 24/ 9:00 p.m. (PDT) on Monday, July 25. more »

(Source: blogs.state.gov)

Senior Officials Gather in Montana for APEC Meetings

About the Author: Ambassador Kurt Tong serves as the U.S. Senior Official for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.

Senior Officials of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) gathered from 21 economies in Big Sky, Montana, this week for the second round of U.S.-hosted Senior Officials Meetings (SOM). They discussed progress made by APEC Working Groups and Committees since the first SOM took place in Washington, DC, in March. Work this year centers on three themes put forward by the United States as this year’s APEC host: expanding trade, encouraging green growth, and strengthening regulatory cooperation and convergence.

The United States is aiming for more progress over the summer, so that the senior APEC officials can approve a robust package of recommendations at their next meeting in San Francisco, CA, in September, to… more »