Media Note
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
December 17, 2012

The U.S. Department of State will hold meetings of the U.S.-Georgia Strategic Partnership Commission working groups for Economic, Energy, and Trade on December 17 and People-to-People Cultural Exchanges on December 18.

The Economic, Energy, and Trade Working Group will be led by the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs (EB) Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary Robert Manogue and U.S. Department of Commerce Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary John Andersen. The Georgian co-chairs will be Davit Zalkaliani, First Deputy Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Irakli Matkava, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Economic and Sustainable Development. The Working Group will discuss cooperation in bilateral trade and investment, agriculture, intellectual property rights, energy security and supply diversification, infrastructure development, and regional economic integration. MORE

Notice to the Press
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
June 19, 2012

Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Senior Official Ambassador Hans Klemm and Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues Melanne Verveer will deliver opening remarks at the APEC Women and the Economy Private Sector Working Group at 12:30 p.m. on June 20. This event is being held in preparation for the 2012 APEC Women and the Economy Summit in St. Petersburg, Russia. Last year, the APEC Women and the Economy Summit became one of the premier platforms for the public and private sector to work together to advance women’s economic participation. In order to maintain the momentum of the APEC Women and the Economy agenda, to continue advancing the San Francisco Declaration, and provide the greatest possible input to APEC, the Department of State will be holding a half day, high-level private-sector working group around the four pillars: Access to Capital, Access to Markets, Skills and Capacity Building and Women’s Leadership. In addition, there will be discussion of how each of the pillars factors into the six topics Russia is focusing on: Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Work-life Balance, Corporate Management, STEM, and Investments in Human Capital.

President Barack Obama greets President Felipe Calderón of Mexico after arriving at the Los Cabos Convention Center for the G20 Summit in Los Cabos, Mexico, June 18, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

In addition to official sessions of the G-20 summit, President Obama is taking advantage of his trip to Los Cabos to hold a series of bilateral meetings with world leaders.

His first two discussions were with the presidents of Mexico and Russia.

After his meeting with Felipe Calderon, President Obama thanked the Mexican president for his leadership and his friendship.

President Obama also expressed a measure of hope for the economic situation in Europe after the recent Greek elections.

“I think the election in Greece yesterday indicates a positive prospect for not only them forming a government, but also them working constructively with their international partners in order that they can continue on the path of reform,” he said.

President Obama also met with Russian President Vladimir Putin — a conversation as “candid, thoughtful and thorough.”

The G-20 Summit officially kicked off with an arrival ceremony at 2:45 PM local time, and the assembled world leaders later held their first plenary session and then met for a working dinner.

Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues Melanne Verveer and President of the Women in the World Foundation Kim Azzarelli co-authored an opinion piece that appears today on The Daily Beast website. In the piece, Ambassador Verveer and Ms. Azzarelli underscore why the global economy needs the “other 51 percent.” The text of their article follows below.

“Businesses are starting to understand what development experts have long known: investing in women pays dividends. Women are more likely than men to put their income back into their communities, driving illiteracy and mortality rates down and GDP up.

“Now a corporate revolution is at hand, one that is moving beyond philanthropy,… more »

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton delivers remarks to the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC) 2011 Conference in Washington, D.C., July 12, 2011.

About the Author: Courtney Beale serves as Acting Spokesperson at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan.

In conjunction with several multinational firms, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is launching the Women in Trade Initiative in order to increase the participation of Pakistani women in the international trade sector. 

“This initiative is part of the United States — commitment to the people of Pakistan to support women’s empowerment,” said Dr. Marilyn Wyatt, wife of U.S. Ambassador Cameron Munter, at the launch of the Women in Trade Initiative. “By raising the role of women in the international trade sector, we can enable them to contribute not only to Pakistan’s economy, but to the overall development of the country.”

Under this initiative, USAID has arranged three-month internships for 17 female university graduates with well-known companies such as TARGET Sourcing Services Pakistan, TEXLYNX, NISHAT Group,… more »

On April 11, 2011, President Barack Obama released the following statement on events in Côte d’Ivoire:

“The United States welcomes the decisive turn of events in Côte d’Ivoire, as former President Laurent Gbagbo’s illegitimate claim to power has finally come to an end. This represents a victory for the democratic will of the Ivoirian people, who have suffered for far too long through the instability that followed their election. Today, the people of Côte d’Ivoire have the chance to begin to reclaim their country, solidify their democracy, and rebuild a vibrant economy that taps the extraordinary potential of the Ivoirian people.

“In the four months that have passed since Alassane Ouattara was elected President, the United States and international community have strongly supported the results of Côte d’Ivoire’s democratic election, and the right of the Ivoirian people to determine their own destiny. These results came after several years of support by the international community for Côte d’Ivoire’s peace and democratic processes. The United Nations Security Council, members of the African Union, and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have all worked to advance the goal of a democratic Côte d’Ivoire in which the rule of the people is stronger than the rule of one man. The United States commends the United Nations Operation in Cote d’Ivoire and French forces for the actions that they have taken to protect civilians.

“For President Ouattara and the people of Côte d’Ivoire, the hard work of reconciliation and rebuilding must begin now. President Ouattara will need to govern on behalf of all the people of Côte d’Ivoire, including those who did not vote for him. All militia groups should lay down their weapons and recognize an inclusive military that protects all citizens under the authority of President Ouattara. The victims and survivors of violence deserve accountability for the violence and crimes that have been committed against them. The international community must continue to support the people of Côte d’Ivoire as they turn the page to a more hopeful and democratic future. In that effort, a democratic Côte d’Ivoire that respects the rights of its people will always have a friend in the United States of America.”

Before delivering remarks with Finnish Foreign Minister Dr. Cai-Goran Alexander Stubb, Secretary Clinton commented on the situation in Côte d’Ivoire. The Secretary said:

“…This transition sends a strong signal to dictators and tyrants throughout the region and around the world: They may not disregard the voice of their own people in free and fair elections, and there will be consequences for those who cling to power.

“We commend the [United Nations], the government and people of France, and other members of the international community who have worked diligently to ensure the safety and security of the Ivoirian people throughout this crisis. We also call upon all Ivoirians to remain calm and contribute to building a peaceful future for their country.

“Now the hard work begins. We look forward to working with President Ouattara as he implements his plan for reconciliation, economic development, and recovery.”