Today, Deputy Administrator Coleman met with Laurel Miller, President and CEO of the Asia Foundation. They discussed shared priorities to address the climate crisis, empower civil society, and enhance regional cooperation in support of an Indo-Pacific region that is free and open, connected, prosperous, secure and resilient.

The Deputy Administrator also conveyed USAID’s priorities under the newly released Policy Framework. Both discussed ways to use more rigorous evidence in programming decisions, diversify partners to include local leaders who can help address the most pressing challenges in the Asia region, including food insecurity, threats to democracy, information resiliency, fragile primary health care systems, and global economic concerns.

They also shared updates on humanitarian crises in the Asia region. The Deputy Administrator reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to work with partners to provide  urgent, life-saving relief when and where needed, as well as continue to advocate for policies that protect free press, the rights of women and girls, the rule of law, a robust civil society, and more. They both agreed on the importance of continuing to support women and girls in Afghanistan, particularly in the face of growing Taliban restrictions.

Original source can be found here.