As U.S. remains largest donor of humanitarian aid, new program promotes private sector as key partner in economic development
REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
NEW YORK — Today, Ambassador Michael Waltz, U.S. Representative to the United Nations, joined by U.S. ECOSOC Representative Ambassador Dan Negrea and leadership from the U.S. Departments of Commerce, State, and the Development Finance Corporation (DFC), launched the “Trade Over Aid” Initiative from the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).
New York Stock Exchange President Lynn Martin opened the event with Ambassador Waltz and Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade William Kimmitt. The event featured leadership from UNDP, UNICEF, the World Bank, the Atlantic Council, the NYSE, Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, and Google.
“This is what is possible when the UN does what it was meant to do,” said Ambassador Waltz. “It can bring nations together to solve real problems—peacefully, pragmatically, and in partnership with those who can actually deliver results—like the booming private sector.”
The initiative will bring together UN Member States, private sector entities, and UN agencies and other international organizations to facilitate private sector business partnerships and encourage enabling environments for business through free market policies that promote economic growth. Foundational to the initiative is a Declaration of Principles, which emphasizes national sovereignty, mutual economic benefit, and the proven success of the free market.
Over 60 international delegates and business leaders, including representatives from 30 UN Member States, attended the inaugural meeting, focused on mutually beneficial trade, investment, and commercial cooperation among equal partners to create real results, advance prosperity for all nations, and achieve a freer world. “At its core, this initiative comes down to a simple idea,” Waltz continued. “Nations should get into the business of doing business together.”
For more information about Trade Over Aid, please visit: https://usun.usmission.gov/trade-over-aid/
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