Remarks by Chargé d'Affaires, a.i., Jeff Daigle at USAID Health and Education Assistance Agreement Signing Ceremony

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Phnom Penh | Friday, September 21, 2012

(as delivered)

Your Excellency Deputy Prime Minister Hor Namhong, Excellencies from the Royal Government of Cambodia, ladies and gentlemen, good morning.

Today, the U.S. government and the Royal Government of Cambodia signed amendments to two bilateral agreements that provide approximately $34 million in funding this year to support Cambodia’s priorities in health and education.

With the signing of these amendments, U.S. assistance in health and education to Cambodia over the past decade now totals more than $297 million.

Health and education programs have historically accounted for over half of the U.S. government’s assistance to Cambodia, and they will remain priorities for us in the coming year.

Together, we have improved maternal, child and reproductive health, and the quality of basic health services.  Working with our colleagues in the Cambodian government, we have helped stem the tide of HIV/AIDS.  We have worked together to prevent and control major infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and avian influenza.  And we have helped enhance the relevance and availability of education for thousands of Cambodia’s young people. 

We are starting to see that this work has paid off, and Cambodia has been recognized internationally for early achievement of some of the key Millennium Development Goal targets in the health sector.  Maternal, child and infant mortality have declined remarkably. More women are delivering in hospitals, and fewer are dying in childbirth.  An increasing number of children, especially girls, are continuing their studies through high school.   

Cambodia’s economic growth and development depend on an educated and healthy population.  We are excited about our continued partnership in setting national priorities, and supporting state-of-the-art innovative programs and policies that have an impact on the health and education of Cambodian people.

Today’s agreement paves the way to build on Cambodia’s health achievements and to help the country’s children get to school and excel once they are there.  The U.S. government looks forward to its continued partnership with the Royal Government of Cambodia on these important issues. 

Thank you.