Central Asia and Afghanistan Women’s Economic Symposium

Remarks for Assistant Secretary Robert O. Blake

Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic

July 18, 2011

(As prepared)

         Thank you very much for that introduction.  I am delighted I could be here and let me add my own welcome to all of you to the Central Asia and Afghanistan Women's Economic Symposium in Bishkek. 

         And a special thank you to steering committee members and all the other valuable partners, including especially the government of the Kyrgyz Republic, for helping make this event a reality.  We have brought a strong team from the United States Government, led by Ambassador Verveer and including our new Ambassador to the Kyrgyz republic Ambassador Pamela Spratlen, to help make this event a success. 

        I would like to echo Secretary Clinton in congratulating President Otunbayeva for her leadership and the terrific example she has set as a long time advocate for women's issues, including access to credit. 

        At the U.S. State Department, we have long believed in a vision of prosperity and regional cooperation in South and Central Asia - where trucks with Central Asian goods will reach the huge new markets on India and beyond, and Central Asian gas and electricity exporters will power businesses in Afghanistan, Pakistan and India.  This vision hinges upon a stable Afghanistan and an integrated region.  A region where women are also fully integrated into business, government and all of society. 

U.S. Policy Overview: Central Asia and Afghanistan

       Central Asia is of vital strategic importance to the United States.  We have an unwavering interest in supporting a stable, secure, democratic and prosperous Central Asia and Afghanistan.  Increasing economic opportunity and access to a variety of markets will underpin a prosperous Central Asia by linking the region to markets and resources.  As the republics of Central Asia approach twenty years of independence, our primary policy goals remain steadfast: to support progress in building stable, market-oriented democracies while recognizing each nation's full sovereignty. 

       As a neighbor and future transit hub to South Asia, Afghanistan holds the key to enhancing the well-being of Central Asia.  Long-term stability in Afghanistan can only be achieved with continued constructive engagement by and support of its Central Asian neighbors.

       In recent years, the United States has sought to strengthen our relationship with the governments and people of the Central Asian republics and Afghanistan.  Since becoming Assistant Secretary two years ago, I launched Annual Bilateral Consultations with each of the Central Asian countries, providing a venue to discuss the full range of issues on our agendas, including political and security cooperation, trade and commerce, human rights and democratic development, and women's participation in all facets of economic and political life.  The annual Regional Economic Cooperation Conference on Afghanistan, which Tajikistan will host next March, and the UN Regional Center for Central Asia have also provided arenas that encourage regional cooperation.

        Central Asia remains one of the least integrated regions in the world.  There is much scope and promise for progress that would benefit all the people of Central Asia and beyond.  The challenges that Central Asians face, from terrorism to narcotics, and health to water, require greater coordination among the governments and the civil societies in the region.  Likewise, the economies of each country will, we believe, grow stronger from establishing linkages between them, which will help spur trade, investment, competition and innovation.  And the region will truly reach its full potential with unfettered participation by all citizens, especially women.

Developing Full Potential through Partnership

        As I have said, regional cooperation is critical.  The challenge before Central Asia is to achieve an environment in which business and trade can thrive.  The United States is committed to coordinating with our Central Asian partners to identify development initiatives that not only achieve greater linkages, but also draw upon the assets and skills of women. 

        Collaboration with European partners and increased cooperation with Russia, India and China are also important to addressing the issues facing the region.  Through close and continued engagement among the Central Asian nations and their friends and development partners, over time, we can reinvigorate economic and trade links between the economies of Western Europe and Russia; the energy resources of Central Asia; and the hundreds of millions of consumers in India, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh.  That is the road to building and sustaining prosperity to the entire region.

        For example, it makes good sense to link the road and rail projects in Afghanistan to the Asian Development Bank's extensive road and rail plan in Central Asia to help exports from Afghanistan and Central Asia reach western markets.  And we should not overlook the infrastructure contributed by China, which has invested in many projects in Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and the Kyrgyz Republic. 

        Looking beyond infrastructure to trade, all the landlocked countries in Central Asia recognize the strategic benefits of access to South Asian markets and ports.  We can build on that interest to expand the Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement to Afghanistan's northern neighbors, and south to India.  But we should not stop there.  By joining the World Trade Organization, Central Asian countries can reduce barriers to all trade, not just transit trade.  

Women's Economic Participation is Critical

        Women's economic participation will be central to the success of these plans.  For one thing, if you are linking only male-dominated businesses and governments to each other, you ignore half of the entire region - the women.

        As President Obama has said, "when women and girls have access to opportunity, societies are more just, economies are more likely to prosper, and governments are more likely to serve the needs of all their people."  

        The effort to link Central and South Asia will benefit from efforts to facilitate women's economic participation, their access to education, market-relevant job training, and leadership skills, as well as their participation in the governance process at the local and national levels.  And regardless of the economic stakes, it is simply the right thing to do.

        We also must work together to reduce the barriers to enterprise and trade, and improve access to finance to achieve these goals.  Such challenges can be even greater for women.  Women's business associations and advocacy networks help close the gap for women in private enterprise.  Female role models and supportive male leaders can also inspire and equip women of the next generation to achieve their full potential. 

        But that alone is not enough.  Countries must prepare and train girls and women to participate equally, and to compete effectively, in the marketplace and political arena.  Investing in the potential of women and girls is one of the surest ways to achieve global economic progress, political stability, and greater prosperity for women - and men - the world over. 

Call to Action

        While I can stand here and urge progress, you are the experts who know what interventions would have the greatest - and quickest - impact in this region.  You know what the obstacles are to starting or running a business, and where the barriers to expanding a business through trade may lie.  You may have faced difficulties in getting a much-needed business loan. 

        Conferences like this one are your opportunity to build relationships and establish a supportive network with other experts across the region, as well as those from the international community. 

        Look around you, at your fellow participants.  (Point to the symposium banner.)  This is an extensive list of partner organizations.  All of these people and organizations are committed to the success of your personal endeavors and to the long-term stability and economic prosperity of your nations.  The local steering committees of this symposium, the multilateral organizations and donors represented here, our corporate sponsors, your own governments, and our U.S. Embassies will all be eager to learn what you prioritize here this week, and we will work together to assist your efforts.

       Women's progress is essential to the prosperity in Central Asia and Afghanistan, and linking women across the region will reinforce our efforts to link the economies and markets across national borders.  The United States stands with all of you as we make that progress together.

       Thank you all very much. (Pause.)

Introduction of Ambassador Verveer

       It is now my great pleasure and honor to introduce Ambassador Melanne Verveer.  In 2009, President Obama elevated the importance of these issues and created a new position, Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues.  He and Secretary Clinton could not have chosen a more dynamic leader than Ambassador Melanne Verveer.  As the chief coordinator for foreign policy issues and the political, economic, and social advancement of women around the world, Ambassador Verveer has continued a lifetime of work in support of women's rights and political and economic empowerment through countless initiatives.  Ambassador Verveer is the co-founder and chairwoman of the Vital Voices Global Partnership, an international non-governmental organization that supports women's global leadership.  She and her staff have been a driving force in organizing this conference and extraordinary partners for my bureau. 

       Please join me in extending a very warm welcome to Ambassador Melanne Verveer.