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President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. spoke today with Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo of the Republic of Korea (ROK). President Biden expressed his appreciation for the resiliency of democracy and the rule of law in the ROK and reaffirmed the ironclad commitment of the United States to the people of the ROK. The two leaders discussed the tremendous progress we have made toward further strengthening the U.S.-ROK Alliance in recent years, and President Biden expressed his confidence that the Alliance will remain the linchpin for peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region during Acting President Han’s tenure. 

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The post Readout of President Joe Biden’s Call with Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo of the Republic of Korea appeared first on The White House.

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. spoke today with Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo of the Republic of Korea (ROK). President Biden expressed his appreciation for the resiliency of democracy and the rule of law in the ROK and reaffirmed the ironclad commitment of the United States to the people of the ROK. The two leaders discussed the tremendous progress we have made toward further strengthening the U.S.-ROK Alliance in recent years, and President Biden expressed his confidence that the Alliance will remain the linchpin for peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region during Acting President Han’s tenure. 

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The post Readout of President Joe Biden’s Call with Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo of the Republic of Korea appeared first on The White House.

In the two years since the December 2022 U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, the Biden-Harris Administration significantly expanded engagement and partnership with African nations, driven by the conviction that the future of Africa and the United States depends on what we can achieve together.  At the Summit, the United States pledged to invest $55 billion in Africa over three years.  We have surpassed that goal – the Administration has committed and spent over $65 billion in Africa since the Summit.  These investments have enabled the Administration, together with African partners, to accelerate development progress, advance trans-continental infrastructure, expand trade and economic opportunities, and support African-led efforts on conservation, climate adaptation, and a just energy transition.
 
But the achievements go beyond numbers, underpinned by our belief that solving global challenges requires African leadership and African partnership.  The United States championed—and ultimately helped secure—the African Union’s permanent membership in the G20 and announced our support for creating two permanent United Nations (UN) Security Council seats for African states.  Since the Summit, we have laid out a vision alongside Kenya to help developing countries facing mounting debt burdens.  Our partnerships enhanced food security and helped build more sustainable and resilient food systems, improved governance and security, and advanced shared public health goals.  We catalyzed landmark diaspora-driven engagement, fostered an inclusive and resilient African digital ecosystem, and made strides to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment. 
 
High-Level Engagements
 
Throughout the Biden-Harris administration, President Biden has prioritized high-level engagement with African countries and partners.
 
Following the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit in 2022, President Biden directed an unprecedented pace of senior-level U.S. Government visits to the continent. Twenty Cabinet Members and leaders of U.S. Government Departments and Agencies have visited the region since the Summit, with visits centered on deepening partnerships with African countries, institutions, and people. In March and April 2023, Vice President Harris visited Ghana, Tanzania, and Zambia, where she announced more than $8 billion in public and private sector investment commitments towards climate and food security, women’s empowerment, and digital inclusion across Africa. 
 
In May 2024, President Biden then hosted President Ruto of Kenya for a State Visit and Dinner, the first State Visit of an African head of state since 2008. During that visit, which highlighted 60 years of official U.S.-Kenyan partnership, President Biden announced a slew of deliverables to improve economic opportunities for both our peoples, strengthen democratic resilience and safeguard human rights, and bolster our work together on a range of pressing issues, including climate and health.
 
In December 2024, President Biden traveled to the continent, becoming the first-ever U.S. president to visit Angola and the first sitting President to visit sub-Saharan Africa since 2015.  During the visit, President Biden spoke about the past horrors of slavery and its legacy, while welcoming a bright future of deepening collaboration between the United States and the continent.  He announced more than $1 billion in additional humanitarian funding and co-hosted a Summit on the Lobito Trans-Africa Corridor, underscoring the importance of private sector investments, inclusive economic growth, and sustainable development. One year earlier, President Biden had hosted President Lourenço of Angola for an Oval Office meeting. President Biden’s historic trip to Angola topped off significant engagement with the continent throughout the entire Biden-Harris administration. 
 
Trade and Investment
 
The Administration harnessed the dynamism of people from across the African continent and throughout the United States to expand prosperity on both sides of the Atlantic. In the past two years, the United States has supported and helped close 1,385 new deals for a total estimated value of $62.6 billion in new two-way trade and investment between the United States and African countries.  This represents a more than five-fold increase in the value of closed deals over the two years preceding the Summit.  Illustrative highlights of these trade and investment initiatives include:
 

1. The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) has investments of over $13 billion in more than 300 projects across 36 countries in Africa.  Since the Summit, DFC has committed over $5.3 billion to new projects in Africa in key sectors such as energy, healthcare, infrastructure, mineral resources, and support for small businesses.
   
2. Since the Summit, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) has funded 24 project preparation activities to advance the implementation of over $7 billion in digital connectivity, clean energy, and healthcare infrastructure projects on the continent.  In 2024, USTDA arranged 10 reverse trade missions and workshops focused on regulatory convergence for healthcare products, transportation, green hydrogen development, cybersecurity, methane abatement, and sustainable energy, connecting African public and private sector representatives with the latest U.S. technologies, services, and financing solutions.
   
3. Since 2022, the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) has strengthened partnerships across Africa, approving approximately $4 billion in authorizations for sub-Saharan Africa.  This includes transactions across a wide variety of sectors including two of the largest renewable energy projects in EXIM’s history, aircrafts, civil works infrastructure, and radio equipment.
   
4. In fiscal year (FY) 2023, the EXIM Board of Directors approved a $281 million transaction to support the export of several Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft to Ethiopian Airlines Group.  This transaction supported 1,600 U.S. jobs across Indiana, North Carolina, and Washington.  In FY 2024, the EXIM Board of Directors approved an additional transaction of more than $456 million for Ethiopian Airlines for the purchase of five Boeing aircraft, supporting an estimated 2,200 new U.S. jobs in North Carolina, Ohio, and Washington.
   
5. Since 2022, the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) has invested almost $2.4 billion through agreements with African partner countries who have demonstrated their commitment to good governance, democratic values, and investing in their people.  Funding is expanding energy markets, furthering private sector energy generation, enhancing farmers’ supply chain integration, and improving education access to increase long-term employment opportunities.
   
6. Prosper Africa funded and supported several initiatives to boost two-way trade and investment for key markets in Kenya, South Africa, and Morocco, to include the “Why Kenya, Why Africa” Roadshow in New York, San Francisco, and Chicago, the launch of Atlanta Phambili with South African business and government leaders in Atlanta, and the U.S.-Morocco Venture Capital Forum.  Prosper Africa also provided technical assistance to Togo-based Caisse Régionale de Refinancement Hypothécaire, supporting a $275 million housing deal with Bank of America. 
   
7. At the Summit, Prosper Africa announced the Catalytic Investment Facility, which provides first-loss and operational funding support to 10 African asset managers to mobilize $600 million from private investors, to deploy into African tech startups.  To date, $93 million has been raised by the 10 African asset managers, and $44 million has been deployed into 61 startups throughout the continent.
   
8. In September 2024, Prosper Africa announced a catalytic pooled fund to drive social investment.  In partnership with the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, and in support of the Africa Venture Philanthropy Alliance, the fund aims to pool $200 million of catalytic capital over the next five years from African and global philanthropies and government donors.  This capital is expected to leverage up to $2 billion in private capital.
   
9. Prosper Africa provided a $1.275 million grant to the Liquidity and Sustainability Facility (LSF) to cover operational costs of LSF’s work enhancing trading liquidity for African countries and lowering the cost of financing.  LSF builds free and transparent capital markets in Africa and provides investors with an investible benchmark for evaluating the performance of African sovereign debt instruments such as the IBoxx LSF USD African Sovereign index, in conjunction with Standard & Poor’s. 
   
10. The Small Business Administration (SBA) provided 34 small businesses with export financing that supported approximately $185.7 million in export sales involving the African continent from December 2023 to October 2024.  Building on the SBA Administrator’s visit to Cote d’Ivoire and Togo in 2023, SBA also undertook new activities in 2024 to connect members of the African diaspora in the United States with businesses in both continents. 
    
11. In November 2023 and July 2024, President Biden reiterated his strong support for the reauthorization and modernization of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) to deepen trade relations between the U.S. and Africa, strengthen regional integration, and realize Africa’s immense economic potential.  In 2023, AGOA imports totaled $9.7 billion and supported tens of thousands of jobs in the United States and Africa. 

Infrastructure

President Biden’s flagship G7+ initiative, the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGI), advances strategic, values-driven, and high-standard infrastructure, investment, and sustainable development in low- and middle-income countries—with Africa as a key continent of focus.  At the G7 Summit in June, leaders celebrated progress toward PGI’s ambitious goal of mobilizing $600 billion by 2027 in global infrastructure investments that will make a difference in people’s lives around the world, strengthen and diversify our supply chains, and advance shared national security interests.  During his historic trip to Angola December 2-4, President Biden co-hosted a Summit on the Lobito Trans-Africa Corridor, bringing together leaders from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, and Zambia, as well as the Africa Finance Corporation.  Leaders affirmed their commitment to investing in infrastructure that will one day connect the Atlantic and Indian Oceans to expand economic growth and sustainable development across the region.  More information on PGI/Lobito Trans-Africa Corridor can be found here.

Conservation, Climate Adaptation, and a Just Energy Transition

Many of the countries that are most vulnerable to climate change are in Africa.  The Biden-Harris Administration has marshalled unprecedented resources to bolster climate resilience and protect development progress.  During her 2023 trip to the African continent, Vice President Harris worked with African partners to galvanize more than $7 billion in public and private sector climate adaptation, resilience, and mitigation commitments.  Some of the U.S.  initiatives to support African-led efforts on climate change mitigation, adaptation, and a just energy transition include:

1. Since the Summit, DFC has committed over $1.8 billion to new climate focused projects in Africa and also committed over $520 million across 12 new projects in Africa focused on expanding access to power.  Notably, DFC provided $500 million in political risk insurance to support marine conversation in Gabon through the Gabon Blue Bonds project, the first DFC-supported debt conversion for impact project in Africa.  In Sierra Leone, DFC provided $412 million in financing and political risk insurance to support the Nant Energy project, a 105-megawatt thermal power plant that is Sierra Leone’s first gas-to-power plant and will double the country’s energy capacity and address a critical need for the Sierra Leonean people’s access to reliable energy infrastructure.  In Mozambique, DFC committed $179 million in debt and political risk insurance to support the development of Central Eléctrica da Namaacha’s 120 megawatt wind power project, the country’s first utility-scale wind power project.
   
2. In November 2023, Prosper Africa, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the State Department provided $10 million to seed a $100 million balance sheet under the Green Guarantee Company (GGC), the first-ever privately run guarantee company devoted to catalyzing green bonds and loans focusing on Africa.  GGC is expected to unlock an estimated $1 billion in new private capital for climate finance.
   
3. In September 2024, Prosper Africa announced a $5 million catalytic capital award to ImpactA Global, aimed at mobilizing $300 million in private investment for sustainable infrastructure in emerging markets.  The award serves as first-loss capital designed to reduce investment risk and attract new institutional investors who might otherwise be hesitant to engage in Africa-focused investments.
   
4. Bolstering Power Africa, USTDA has invested $5 million to support a just energy transition across several African countries.  These investments are supporting solar energy generation in Zambia, wind energy generation in Malawi, strengthening the power grid in Cote d’Ivoire, promoting clean energy in South Africa, and supporting climate innovation through reverse trade missions.
   
5. At the Summit, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced its intent to develop a case study in partnership with the Ghanaian Ministry of Energy on integrating nuclear and renewable energy systems.  Under the Clean Energy Ministerial, DOE is leading a $300,000 initiative to evaluate the potential roles for nuclear and renewable energy to support Ghanaian energy needs for both electric and non-electric applications.  DOE and Ghana also launched Africa’s first regional Clean Energy Training Center in Accra, Ghana, providing courses on large and small modular reactors, financing, contract structures, risk management, and legal issues.
   
6. DOE is working with Mozambique on methane mitigation from the gas sector and clean hydrogen development, with Kenya on a $250,000 project to examine opportunities for direct air capture combined with geothermal energy, with Nigeria on a $250,000 study supporting their regulatory framework for carbon management, and with Morocco on solar energy.  DOE and the Moroccan Research Institute in Solar Energy and New Energies hosted a Solar Decathlon Design Challenge for collegiate teams from across Africa and around the world to design buildings powered by renewable energy.   
   
7. Under its Climate Change and Health Initiative, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) established Exploratory Research Centers that bring together scientists to work with affected communities to build resilience and adapt to climate driven stressors.  Three of the centers have focus areas in Kenya, Madagascar, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe.  These centers are conducting research on early warning models for vector borne diseases, the effects of extreme weather events on mental health and interpersonal violence, and pilot solutions for climate risks to human health.
   
8. At the Summit, the Department of State announced the Accelerating Women’s Empowerment in Energy (AWEE) project to help secure women’s economic futures through green jobs.  Since then, the State Department launched AWEE with an initial investment of $1 million.  The project has funded 11 small grants to local organizations in South Africa and Kenya to address barriers to the entry, promotion, and retention of women in each country’s clean energy sector.

Promoting Food Security and Resilient Food Systems

At the Summit, President Biden launched the U.S.-African Union (AU) Strategic Partnership to accelerate progress in tackling food insecurity, build stronger and more diversified food systems and supply chains, scale Africa’s agricultural production capacity, and expand African countries’ access to agricultural markets.  Since the launch of the partnership, we have aligned our food security assistance and programming and leveraged our convening power and partnerships, including through PGI, to build sustainable food systems, expand investments in agricultural infrastructure, and tackle trade policy reforms. 

1. Since FY 2022, the United States provided nearly $20 billion in life-saving humanitarian assistance and early recovery, risk reduction, and resilience programming in Africa.  Humanitarian assistance addresses acute food insecurity caused by conflicts, including Russia’s war in Ukraine and natural disasters, including climate shocks impacting millions of people across the African continent. 
   
2. Since 2023, MCC has committed over $1.6 billion toward food security initiatives through newly signed or launched programs.  These projects are boosting farm productivity and increasing rural incomes by investing in better irrigation methods, increasing production of high-value crops, and improving road conditions.
   
3. During his historic trip to Angola, President Biden announced additional humanitarian funding, including more than $200 million to purchase, ship, and distribute surplus agricultural commodities from American farmers to provide life-saving food assistance for refugees and other food-insecure populations in Africa.
   
4. Since December 2022, DFC has provided over $180 million to 15 food security focused projects in Africa.  These include a $20 million DFC loan to Victory Farms in Kenya to support expansion of sustainable tilapia production on Lake Victoria; a $75 million loan to Indorama Eleme Fertilizer & Chemicals Limited to finance the development, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of a urea-ammonia fertilizer facility in Port Harcourt, Nigeria; and project development technical assistance and loans to Ifria, a developer of cold chain warehouses in Morocco and Senegal.
   
5. As part of the U.S. Government’s Feed the Future initiative, the global Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils (VACS) program helps build resilient food systems in partner countries using diverse, nutritious, and climate resilient crops grown in healthy, fertile soils.  Since 2023, the United States has donated $150 million and mobilized another $60 million from international partners for VACS programming.  Implementing partner organizations include the International Fund for Agricultural Development, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, and the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research. 
   
6. USAID and the AU launched the “Feed the Future Accelerator” in September 2024 with a new commitment, working with Congress, of more than $80 million to deepen food security partnerships in Malawi, Tanzania, and Zambia.  U.S. investments will harness the region’s combination of fertile land, diverse farming systems, and highly-motivated governments to support a regional breadbasket.  These funds complement a diverse Feed the Future portfolio including over $497 million of ongoing U.S. investments in these three countries, plus more than $150 million in private sector investments.
   
7. As part of the larger U.S. Government response to the global food crisis through Feed the Future, USAID and the African Development Bank (AfDB) completed an agreement in January 2024 to fund a $9.5 million project—Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation—to help Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, and Zambia increase food production and introduce climate-smart technologies.
   
8. Building on the U.S.-AU Strategic Partnership on Food Security, the United States supported the AU process to refresh the Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Program (CAADP) 10-year strategic plan focused on food security and increased agricultural trade.  USAID provided analytical work that fed into CAADP Technical Working Groups and submitted an independent memorandum to the AU Commission with recommendations on how to achieve agricultural transformation, wealth creation, food security and nutrition, and economic growth.

Promoting Peace, Security, and Democratic Governance

The United States supported peace as the largest single humanitarian donor for refugee and migration-related needs in Sub-Saharan Africa, working with international organization and NGO partners to support over eight million refugees and asylum seekers and over 30 million internally displaced persons.  President Biden also launched the 21st Century Partnership for African Security (21PAS), to expand support to African partners with a focus on promoting effective, responsible, and accountable defense institutions able to meet the emerging threats of our time.  At the Summit, the United States reaffirmed its commitment to support complex political transitions in Africa through launching the African Democratic and Political Transitions (ADAPT) initiative. 

1. In FY 2024, the United States, through the State Department’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, provided more than $1.37 billion in Africa to support urgent and lifesaving needs for refugees, asylum seekers, conflict victims, stateless persons, and vulnerable migrants, including those affected by climate change.  Since December 2022, the United States has resettled over 56,000 refugees from Sub-Saharan Africa, welcoming them as they build new lives in communities across the United States.  The majority of refugees resettled were from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, the Republic of South Sudan, Somalia, and Sudan.
   
2. The United States, Gabon, Ghana, and Mozambique worked together to successfully authorize UN Security Council Resolution 2719, which outlines a process for the AU to receive UN funding for Peace Support Operations (PSOs).  UN Security Council Resolution 2719 is a testament to the U.S. and AU commitment to addressing conflict in the region through African-led solutions.  The United States is supportive of the UN and the AU utilizing the Resolution to support PSOs on the continent while working together to ensure that human rights, transparency, and accountability mechanisms are successful. 
   
3. Through 21PAS, the Department of Defense is focusing on improving the capacity of African partners to plan, resource, and sustain their defense and security forces.  21PAS values partnerships rooted in transparency, accountability, and respect for human rights, recognizing that these values are foundational to lasting security.  Using these criteria, the Department of Defense identified a broad array of security cooperation programming totaling $73 million for Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, and countries along the Gulf of Guinea and Western Indian Ocean.
   
4. The United States continues to bolster democratic governance through the ADAPT initiative.  For example, in Gabon, U.S. technical assistance to government entities, civic groups, media outlets, and women- and youth-focused organizations supports inclusive constitutional and electoral legal reforms and free, fair, and peaceful transitional elections.
   
5. Since 2022, USAID, through the Elections and Political Processes Fund, has provided $48.9 million for critical election support in 28 countries in Africa for unanticipated needs such as snap elections or other unforeseen political developments.  USAID provided an additional $17.4 million through the Defending Democratic Elections Fund to 10 countries to tackle deeply rooted electoral integrity issues, especially during inter-election periods.  Through the Women’s Political Participation and Leadership fund, USAID provided $8.36 million in FY 2022 and 2023 to four countries to build and sustain the pipeline of women leaders and facilitate their safe and meaningful participation in political, peacebuilding, and transition processes.
   
6. Since 2022, the U.S. Government has dedicated over $181 million through the Prevention and Stabilization Fund to enhance partnerships with Mozambique, Libya, Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, and Togo.  Efforts focus on 10-year objectives to include promoting reconciliation and unification; accelerating inclusive and sustainable economic development; improving responsive governance and security institutions; promoting respect for human rights; strengthening justice systems; building capacity and resilience in historically marginalized, at-risk, and conflict-affected areas; and advancing meaningful participation of women and youth.

Deepening Health Cooperation

The United States works in partnership with African nations and regional and global partners, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and its Africa Regional Office (AFRO), the AU, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), and the private sector, to save lives and build more resilient health systems that are better able to prevent and respond to current and future health threats. 

1. The Administration has built on the United States’ longstanding leadership in the fight to end HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria as public health threats, including by investing more than $15.55 billion through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria (Global Fund), and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.  These investments have reduced the burden of HIV, malaria, tuberculosis, and vaccine-preventable diseases and have strengthened health systems in more than 30 countries on the African continent.
   
2. Over the past two years, the United States provided more than $3 billion in global health funding to support health workers, including funding through PEPFAR to support more than 346,000 health professionals to deliver HIV and tuberculosis services in the past year.  PEPFAR is also providing $8 million to support nurses, who are the backbone of patient care, in Botswana, Côte d’Ivoire, Eswatini, Malawi, Nigeria, South Africa, and Zambia.  In FY 2024, USAID provided $10 million to support the Global Health Worker Initiative to build on the Primary Impact Initiative in countries including Ghana.
   
3. PEPFAR has been central to reversing the HIV/AIDS pandemic’s trajectory—in Sub-Saharan Africa, there were 56 percent fewer new HIV infections in 2023 than in 2010.  Nine African countries are nearing or achieving the UNAIDS 2025 global goal that 95 percent of people living with HIV will know their status and benefit from treatment that keeps them healthy and helps prevent further spread, with several more countries on track to reach these goals by the end of 2025. 
   
4. Since FY 2021, PMI has invested more than $100 million to support 100,000 community health workers across its partner countries to rapidly detect and treat malaria in their communities.  These investments in integrated platforms also enable treatment of other common childhood illnesses such as diarrhea and pneumonia, improve the quality and reach of primary health care, and strengthen countries’ ability to prevent, detect, and respond to disease outbreaks. 
   
5. PMI has supported African manufacturing to promote more resilient and sustainable commodity supply chains.  In FY 2023, PMI sourced approximately 10% of its commodity procurements from Africa, more than double what was procured from the continent in FY 2021.  From FY 2019 to FY 2023, PMI transitioned from primary reliance on air freight to using sea and land freight to transport malaria commodities, reducing transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions by 85% and generating $66 million in cost savings, which PMI used to expand other malaria-related programs.
   
6. In April 2024, the Administration launched the U.S. Global Health Security Strategy to strengthen pandemic preparedness and response and welcomed six new Global Health Security Partners in Africa.  The United States continues working in partnership with African nations to support outbreak responses, including on Marburg, mpox, Ebola, and cholera. 
   
7. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of NIH, has been partnering with research agencies and institutions in Africa for decades.  Longstanding research programs have enabled collaboration on research responses to emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. 
   
8. From 2022 to 2023, the U.S. Government provided more than $22 million to support the Government of Uganda’s Ebola response and an additional $7 million to help neighboring countries prepare for potential outbreaks.  In 2023, the United States worked with the Governments of Tanzania and Equatorial Guinea and other international partners to address simultaneous but unrelated Marburg virus disease outbreaks, providing over $5.8 million to support key response and prevention efforts.  In response to the Marburg virus disease outbreak in Rwanda starting in September 2024, the United States has provided technical support, vaccines, diagnostics, therapeutics, and personal protective equipment and plans to allocate over $11 million regionally to address urgent health needs.
   
9. The United States partners with biological laboratories in the public, private, and academic sectors in 20 African countries to provide trainings and assist partner institutions with performing laboratory risk assessments.  These partnerships improve biosafety, biosecurity, and cybersecurity.  The United States also provides training to technical staff and biomedical engineers responsible for upkeep of laboratory equipment for high containment laboratories.
   
10. DFC continues to catalyze investments to strengthen regional manufacturing capacity in Africa, including by providing input into the design of Gavi’s African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator to ensure long-term sustainability of African vaccine manufacturers.  Following DFC’s loan of €100 million to Aspen Pharmacare in 2021, in 2024 DFC committed a direct loan of up to €110 million to expand Aspen’s capacity to manufacture pediatric vaccines, insulin, and other essential medicines in South Africa. DFC collaborated with the International Finance Corporation, the German Development Finance Institution, and Proparco to co-finance expansion of Aspen.
    
11. DFC also invests in health services, and technology to improve access to affordable, high-quality health care and products.  For example, in 2023 DFC committed a $10 million loan to Hewatele, a medical oxygen manufacturer in Kenya to expand production and distribution of medical oxygen.  DFC also provided a $10 million loan guaranty to KCB Bank in Kenya to increase financing available to small and medium enterprises in the health sector. 
    
12. In December 2022, USTDA launched the Coalition for Healthcare Infrastructure in Africa, a collaboration between USTDA and U.S. industry to help meet the healthcare needs of African partners and to increase access to quality healthcare products and services for millions of individuals across the continent.  From November 2023 to July 2024, USTDA hosted three healthcare workshops that convened U.S. and African public and private sector representatives with the aim of strengthening regulatory systems and facilitating broader market access for healthcare products across the continent.
    
13. Since 2022, the United States has donated over $50 million to projects in support of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Rays of Hope initiative, which provides assistance in nuclear and radiation medicine to advance cancer diagnosis and treatment in low- and middle-income countries.  In 2024, the United States provided an additional $6 million to Rays of Hope projects in Benin, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Malawi, Niger, and Senegal. 
    
14. At the Summit, First Lady Jill Biden highlighted the U.S. Government’s unwavering commitment to improving cancer outcomes in countries in Africa.  In July 2024, the Biden Cancer Moonshot hosted the White House Africa Cancer Care Forum, which convened health leaders from Benin, DRC, Lesotho, Mozambique, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, and Zambia committed to expanding national capacity for cancer diagnosis and treatment.  During the forum, the United States announced over $100 million in commitments to reduce the burden of cancer, bringing the collective total to over $400 million. 
    
15. The U.S.-South Africa Cancer Care and Research Alliance (U.S.-SACCRA) was established in December 2023 to deliver improved health outcomes in Africa, including by reducing the burden of cancer.  U.S.-SACCRA partners with several South African academic and research institutions; government departments, and leading U.S. cancer institutes to design, share, and fast-track scientific exchanges and capacity development for cancer care and research in both countries.

Elevating African Diaspora Engagement

Since the Summit, the Administration has aimed to harness the dynamism of the African Diaspora to enrich lives on both sides of the Atlantic.  The Administration has strengthened educational, cultural, social, political, and economic ties among African communities, the global African Diaspora, and the United States.  As Vice President Harris said during her 2023 trip to the African continent, “The fates of America and the continent of Africa are interconnected and interdependent.” 

1. In December 2022, President Biden established the President’s Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement in the United States (PAC-ADE) to provide advice on strengthening connections between the U.S. Government and the African Diaspora in the United States.  The Council members held their inaugural meeting in October 2023 with Vice President Harris and Secretary Blinken presiding. 
   
2. Since the Summit, PAC-ADE conducted its first plenary session meeting at Spelman College, and developed the EdTech initiative announced during Kenyan President Ruto’s visit to Spelman College. The Council also conducted its inaugural visit to the continent in July 2024 to Lagos and Abuja, Nigeria, where they met with government, civil society, and private-sector partners to discuss diaspora-led investments in education, entrepreneurship, health, technology, youth and women empowerment, and the creative industries.  The Council held its final meeting of the year in October 2024, with remarks by Assistant to the President, Senior Advisor to the President, and Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement Mayor Steve Benjamin. Several members of the Council joined President Biden on his trip to Angola in December 2024.
   
3. In concert with PAC-ADE’s keen focus on increasing business ties with the continent, Prosper Africa has prioritized the support of Diaspora firms and investors, resulting in a portfolio of notable transactions with Diaspora-owned and led firms.  These include Cybastion’s partnership with Cisco Systems on over $800 million of cybersecurity and digital upgrade contracts in six countries.  Prosper Africa also established active partnerships with leading Diaspora organizations, including joining with USAID to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Alliance for Black Business, an organization founded in 2022 by the National Black Chamber of Commerce, the National Business League, and the World Conference of Mayors.
   
4. In addition to PAC-ADE, the U.S. Government is investing in Diaspora engagement through education.  The Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) embodies our investment in our shared future by providing training opportunities for diverse African youth.  At the Summit, Vice President Harris announced plans to expand YALI.  As part of this expansion, in September 2023, USAID launched the YALI Legacy Localization award to expand the work of the four Regional Leadership Centers on the continent that provide transformative leadership training.  In November 2024, the USAID-led YALI Alumni Expo and Trade Show took place in Cape Town, South Africa, where over 500 YALI alumni showcased their innovations and fostered connection with experts and officials from the private sector, civil society, government, and the diaspora community.

Digital Transformation with Africa

Launched at the Summit, the Digital Transformation with Africa (DTA) initiative aims to expand digital access in Africa, increase commercial engagement between U.S. and African companies in the digital sector, support increased digital literacy, and strengthen digital enabling environments across Africa.  DTA works in alignment with the priorities outlined in the AU’s Digital Transformation Strategy to enable innovative, inclusive and sustainable growth and development.  DTA’s work is organized across the following three pillars:

Digital Economy and Infrastructure

1. In May 2024, Vice President Harris launched two public-private partnerships—the Mobilizing Access to the Digital Economy (MADE) Alliance:  Africa and the Partnership for Digital Access in Africa (PDAA). Both focus on increasing digital inclusion across Africa.  The MADE Alliance aims to provide digital access to critical services for 100 million individuals and businesses in Africa over the next 10 years.  PDAA will support African institutions to double the number of people connected to the internet in Africa from 40% to 80%, connect one billion people to the internet by 2030, and increase internet connectivity for women and girls from 30% to 80%.  
   
2. Since December 2022, USTDA has funded 20 activities to build the business case for innovative U.S. technologies that help to advance inclusive, secure, and sustainable digital infrastructure across Africa, including priority connectivity, cybersecurity, and smart cities projects.  USTDA is leveraging its grant-based funding for project preparation, which mitigates risk and unlocks bankable infrastructure projects.
   
3. Prosper Africa leads the Africa Tech for Trade Alliance (AT4T) with the support of USAID.  AT4T unites leading American and African tech companies to accelerate e-commerce and digital trade in Africa.  Alliance members include Visa, Mastercard, Intel, Cisco, Google, AWS and others. By leveraging U.S. companies’ technology assets, services, and expertise, the alliance fosters U.S.-Africa trade in fintech, ag-tech, eHealth and more.
   
4. In April 2024, the President’s Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa (PAC-DBIA), the Department of Commerce, and USTDA led a mission to the American Chamber of Commerce Business Summit in Kenya.  In Nairobi, they announced U.S. private sector commitments and collaborations, including initiatives in data protection, artificial intelligence, digital upskilling, and new investments in digital connectivity, women’s tech leadership, and a cybersecurity experience center.

Human Capital Development

1. In May 2024, USAID announced the DTA-YALI Partnership to leverage YALI Regional Leadership Centers to expand digital skills and literacy, support digital entrepreneurs and start-ups, and increase private sector engagement in 49 African countries.  USAID is also expanding the “Responsible Computer Challenges” to universities and educators in Kenya, Ghana, and South Africa.  This activity aims to empower students to account for the social and ethical context and impact of digital technologies, including frontier technologies such as artificial intelligence.
   
2. The Department of State prioritizes biosafety and biosecurity capacity building in Africa.  Over the past two years, the State Department has conducted trainings on cyberbiosecurity and secure data sharing to promote safe and timely coordination during outbreak responses.  The Department of State has ongoing efforts in practical cyberbiosecurity literacy for high containment laboratories to institutionalize cyberhygiene practices and to build both in-country and regional networks of leaders in cyberbiosecurity.
   
3. USAID and MCC are supporting the DigiFemmes program as part of MCC’s $536 million Compact with the Government of Côte d’Ivoire.  DigiFemmes provides the leadership, innovation, and technical training women need to grow their businesses through data and digital tools.  Nearly 9,000 women-owned small and medium enterprises have benefited from the $5.3 million program.  DigiFemmes graduates also accessed a total of $525,000 in follow-on funding distributed as small grants by the U.S. African Development Foundation to help refine their products and expand their markets through digital tools and innovations.
   
4. In March 2024, MCC and the Government of Togo launched Nanatech, a program designed to equip Togolese women and entrepreneurs with the digital skills they need to benefit from the growing digital economy.  To date, nearly 2,000 women and 200 supporting organizations have benefited. 

Digital Enabling Environment

1. In September 2024, the United States hosted the landmark Global Inclusivity and Artificial Intelligence: Africa (GIAA) Conference in Lagos, Nigeria, bringing together over 400 stakeholders, including government officials, industry leaders, civil society members, startup founders, and academics, to discuss the safe, secure, inclusive, and trustworthy deployment of artificial intelligence on the continent.  The GIAA conference underscored the growing importance of Africa’s inclusion in artificial intelligence development and the continent’s key role in the global emerging technology landscape.
   
2. In November 2024, representatives from the Department of Commerce, Department of State, USAID, and USTDA participated in a variety of engagements during the Africa Tech Festival in Cape Town, South Africa.  DTA hosted a U.S. Government side event for over 100 stakeholders from the U.S. and African public and private sectors to discuss key challenges to expanding digital access, increasing digital literacy, and strengthening digital enabling environments across Africa.   Participants discussed innovative U.S. and African solutions and collaborative strategies to advance Africa’s digital transformation.
   
3. USAID is working with Afrobarometer, through the United States Institute of Peace, to conduct public surveys to assess public awareness, perception, and understanding of digital threats, online safety, and cybersecurity in Benin, Kenya, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Tanzania, Senegal, and Angola.
   
4. USAID continues to facilitate discussions, build capacity, and deliver expert advisory services to the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat to develop and implement the Digital Trade Protocol to help advance international and intra-African digital economy and regulatory standards.

Partnerships in Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment

The Administration has elevated gender equity and equality across our foreign policy in Africa and around the world.  Societies—including the United States—do better when women participate and have equal opportunities.  Advancing the status of women and girls reduces poverty and promotes sustainable economic growth, increases access to education, improves health outcomes, advances political stability, and fosters democracy.  During the Summit, Vice President Harris announced new commitments to advance women’s economic participation in Africa, including the revitalization of the African Women’s Entrepreneurship Program (AWEP). 

1. Vice President Harris launched the Women in Digital Economy Fund (WiDEF)  in 2023 to accelerate efforts to close the gender digital divide.  WiDEF and the corresponding Women in the Digital Economy Initiative have together catalyzed over $1 billion in commitments from governments, the private sector, foundations, and civil society to accelerate digital gender equality – including $102 million in U.S. direct and aligned commitments.  In addition, President Biden secured a historic commitment from G20 leaders to halve the digital gender gap by 2030.  Vice President Harris also launched the Women in the Sustainable Economy Initiative (WISE) in 2023 to promote women’s participation in sectors that address climate change.  Together, WiDEF and WISE represent a commitment of over $3 billion, including millions to empower African women and girls. 
   
2. In July 2024, SBA, Howard University’s Small Business Development Center, AWEP, the State Department, and the Department of Commerce cooperated on an event uniting local and African women-owned businesses on the margins of the 2024 AGOA Forum.  The program and marketplace facilitated business networking and an exchange of best practices on inclusive trade and to support for small business partnerships.  The event built on SBA’s February 2024 virtual event “Connecting U.S. and West African Small Businesses.”
   
3. Over the past two years, DFC has deepened its commitment to advancing economic empowerment across Africa through a range of impactful investments.  Key investments include a $100 million loan to First City Monument Bank, Ltd., expanding access to longer-term loans for women-owned small- and medium-sized enterprises in Nigeria; the 2X Ignite Africa Warehousing Facility, providing critical portfolio-building capital to female-led and gender-balanced fund managers; and a $10 million equity investment in Janngo Capital Startup Fund to fuel the growth of African startups, with at least 50% of funding to women-led enterprises.  Each of these investments reflects DFC’s dedication to empowering women, driving innovation, and building sustainable pathways for economic independence.
   
4. The Department of State, through the Support Her Empowerment-Women’s Inclusion in New Security (SHE WINS) initiative, has invested more than $9 million globally and supported seven women-led and women-serving civil society organizations in Cameroon, the Central African Republic, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.  In August 2024, under the SHE WINS Rapid Response Fund, the United States, in partnership with Norway and Canada, convened a group of Sudanese women civil society leaders to inform discussions on a ceasefire, humanitarian access, and monitoring mechanisms.
   
5. Announced during Vice President Harris’ visit to Ghana in 2023, the Imarisha Women’s Initiative is helping women advance in their careers, improve their skill sets, and increase their income, while creating more flexible and supportive workplaces.  The first cohort of four companies in East Africa are providing leadership, mentorship, and skill trainings; menstrual health and hygiene and lactation support; and programs on the prevention of and response to gender-based violence and harassment in the workplace.

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The post FACT SHEET: Celebrating U.S.-Africa Partnership Two Years After the 2022 U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit appeared first on The White House.

In the two years since the December 2022 U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, the Biden-Harris Administration significantly expanded engagement and partnership with African nations, driven by the conviction that the future of Africa and the United States depends on what we can achieve together.  At the Summit, the United States pledged to invest $55 billion in Africa over three years.  We have surpassed that goal – the Administration has committed and spent over $65 billion in Africa since the Summit.  These investments have enabled the Administration, together with African partners, to accelerate development progress, advance trans-continental infrastructure, expand trade and economic opportunities, and support African-led efforts on conservation, climate adaptation, and a just energy transition.
 
But the achievements go beyond numbers, underpinned by our belief that solving global challenges requires African leadership and African partnership.  The United States championed—and ultimately helped secure—the African Union’s permanent membership in the G20 and announced our support for creating two permanent United Nations (UN) Security Council seats for African states.  Since the Summit, we have laid out a vision alongside Kenya to help developing countries facing mounting debt burdens.  Our partnerships enhanced food security and helped build more sustainable and resilient food systems, improved governance and security, and advanced shared public health goals.  We catalyzed landmark diaspora-driven engagement, fostered an inclusive and resilient African digital ecosystem, and made strides to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment. 
 
High-Level Engagements
 
Throughout the Biden-Harris administration, President Biden has prioritized high-level engagement with African countries and partners.
 
Following the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit in 2022, President Biden directed an unprecedented pace of senior-level U.S. Government visits to the continent. Twenty Cabinet Members and leaders of U.S. Government Departments and Agencies have visited the region since the Summit, with visits centered on deepening partnerships with African countries, institutions, and people. In March and April 2023, Vice President Harris visited Ghana, Tanzania, and Zambia, where she announced more than $8 billion in public and private sector investment commitments towards climate and food security, women’s empowerment, and digital inclusion across Africa. 
 
In May 2024, President Biden then hosted President Ruto of Kenya for a State Visit and Dinner, the first State Visit of an African head of state since 2008. During that visit, which highlighted 60 years of official U.S.-Kenyan partnership, President Biden announced a slew of deliverables to improve economic opportunities for both our peoples, strengthen democratic resilience and safeguard human rights, and bolster our work together on a range of pressing issues, including climate and health.
 
In December 2024, President Biden traveled to the continent, becoming the first-ever U.S. president to visit Angola and the first sitting President to visit sub-Saharan Africa since 2015.  During the visit, President Biden spoke about the past horrors of slavery and its legacy, while welcoming a bright future of deepening collaboration between the United States and the continent.  He announced more than $1 billion in additional humanitarian funding and co-hosted a Summit on the Lobito Trans-Africa Corridor, underscoring the importance of private sector investments, inclusive economic growth, and sustainable development. One year earlier, President Biden had hosted President Lourenço of Angola for an Oval Office meeting. President Biden’s historic trip to Angola topped off significant engagement with the continent throughout the entire Biden-Harris administration. 
 
Trade and Investment
 
The Administration harnessed the dynamism of people from across the African continent and throughout the United States to expand prosperity on both sides of the Atlantic. In the past two years, the United States has supported and helped close 1,385 new deals for a total estimated value of $62.6 billion in new two-way trade and investment between the United States and African countries.  This represents a more than five-fold increase in the value of closed deals over the two years preceding the Summit.  Illustrative highlights of these trade and investment initiatives include:
 

1. The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) has investments of over $13 billion in more than 300 projects across 36 countries in Africa.  Since the Summit, DFC has committed over $5.3 billion to new projects in Africa in key sectors such as energy, healthcare, infrastructure, mineral resources, and support for small businesses.
   
2. Since the Summit, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) has funded 24 project preparation activities to advance the implementation of over $7 billion in digital connectivity, clean energy, and healthcare infrastructure projects on the continent.  In 2024, USTDA arranged 10 reverse trade missions and workshops focused on regulatory convergence for healthcare products, transportation, green hydrogen development, cybersecurity, methane abatement, and sustainable energy, connecting African public and private sector representatives with the latest U.S. technologies, services, and financing solutions.
   
3. Since 2022, the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) has strengthened partnerships across Africa, approving approximately $4 billion in authorizations for sub-Saharan Africa.  This includes transactions across a wide variety of sectors including two of the largest renewable energy projects in EXIM’s history, aircrafts, civil works infrastructure, and radio equipment.
   
4. In fiscal year (FY) 2023, the EXIM Board of Directors approved a $281 million transaction to support the export of several Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft to Ethiopian Airlines Group.  This transaction supported 1,600 U.S. jobs across Indiana, North Carolina, and Washington.  In FY 2024, the EXIM Board of Directors approved an additional transaction of more than $456 million for Ethiopian Airlines for the purchase of five Boeing aircraft, supporting an estimated 2,200 new U.S. jobs in North Carolina, Ohio, and Washington.
   
5. Since 2022, the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) has invested almost $2.4 billion through agreements with African partner countries who have demonstrated their commitment to good governance, democratic values, and investing in their people.  Funding is expanding energy markets, furthering private sector energy generation, enhancing farmers’ supply chain integration, and improving education access to increase long-term employment opportunities.
   
6. Prosper Africa funded and supported several initiatives to boost two-way trade and investment for key markets in Kenya, South Africa, and Morocco, to include the “Why Kenya, Why Africa” Roadshow in New York, San Francisco, and Chicago, the launch of Atlanta Phambili with South African business and government leaders in Atlanta, and the U.S.-Morocco Venture Capital Forum.  Prosper Africa also provided technical assistance to Togo-based Caisse Régionale de Refinancement Hypothécaire, supporting a $275 million housing deal with Bank of America. 
   
7. At the Summit, Prosper Africa announced the Catalytic Investment Facility, which provides first-loss and operational funding support to 10 African asset managers to mobilize $600 million from private investors, to deploy into African tech startups.  To date, $93 million has been raised by the 10 African asset managers, and $44 million has been deployed into 61 startups throughout the continent.
   
8. In September 2024, Prosper Africa announced a catalytic pooled fund to drive social investment.  In partnership with the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, and in support of the Africa Venture Philanthropy Alliance, the fund aims to pool $200 million of catalytic capital over the next five years from African and global philanthropies and government donors.  This capital is expected to leverage up to $2 billion in private capital.
   
9. Prosper Africa provided a $1.275 million grant to the Liquidity and Sustainability Facility (LSF) to cover operational costs of LSF’s work enhancing trading liquidity for African countries and lowering the cost of financing.  LSF builds free and transparent capital markets in Africa and provides investors with an investible benchmark for evaluating the performance of African sovereign debt instruments such as the IBoxx LSF USD African Sovereign index, in conjunction with Standard & Poor’s. 
   
10. The Small Business Administration (SBA) provided 34 small businesses with export financing that supported approximately $185.7 million in export sales involving the African continent from December 2023 to October 2024.  Building on the SBA Administrator’s visit to Cote d’Ivoire and Togo in 2023, SBA also undertook new activities in 2024 to connect members of the African diaspora in the United States with businesses in both continents. 
    
11. In November 2023 and July 2024, President Biden reiterated his strong support for the reauthorization and modernization of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) to deepen trade relations between the U.S. and Africa, strengthen regional integration, and realize Africa’s immense economic potential.  In 2023, AGOA imports totaled $9.7 billion and supported tens of thousands of jobs in the United States and Africa. 

Infrastructure

President Biden’s flagship G7+ initiative, the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGI), advances strategic, values-driven, and high-standard infrastructure, investment, and sustainable development in low- and middle-income countries—with Africa as a key continent of focus.  At the G7 Summit in June, leaders celebrated progress toward PGI’s ambitious goal of mobilizing $600 billion by 2027 in global infrastructure investments that will make a difference in people’s lives around the world, strengthen and diversify our supply chains, and advance shared national security interests.  During his historic trip to Angola December 2-4, President Biden co-hosted a Summit on the Lobito Trans-Africa Corridor, bringing together leaders from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, and Zambia, as well as the Africa Finance Corporation.  Leaders affirmed their commitment to investing in infrastructure that will one day connect the Atlantic and Indian Oceans to expand economic growth and sustainable development across the region.  More information on PGI/Lobito Trans-Africa Corridor can be found here.

Conservation, Climate Adaptation, and a Just Energy Transition

Many of the countries that are most vulnerable to climate change are in Africa.  The Biden-Harris Administration has marshalled unprecedented resources to bolster climate resilience and protect development progress.  During her 2023 trip to the African continent, Vice President Harris worked with African partners to galvanize more than $7 billion in public and private sector climate adaptation, resilience, and mitigation commitments.  Some of the U.S.  initiatives to support African-led efforts on climate change mitigation, adaptation, and a just energy transition include:

1. Since the Summit, DFC has committed over $1.8 billion to new climate focused projects in Africa and also committed over $520 million across 12 new projects in Africa focused on expanding access to power.  Notably, DFC provided $500 million in political risk insurance to support marine conversation in Gabon through the Gabon Blue Bonds project, the first DFC-supported debt conversion for impact project in Africa.  In Sierra Leone, DFC provided $412 million in financing and political risk insurance to support the Nant Energy project, a 105-megawatt thermal power plant that is Sierra Leone’s first gas-to-power plant and will double the country’s energy capacity and address a critical need for the Sierra Leonean people’s access to reliable energy infrastructure.  In Mozambique, DFC committed $179 million in debt and political risk insurance to support the development of Central Eléctrica da Namaacha’s 120 megawatt wind power project, the country’s first utility-scale wind power project.
   
2. In November 2023, Prosper Africa, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the State Department provided $10 million to seed a $100 million balance sheet under the Green Guarantee Company (GGC), the first-ever privately run guarantee company devoted to catalyzing green bonds and loans focusing on Africa.  GGC is expected to unlock an estimated $1 billion in new private capital for climate finance.
   
3. In September 2024, Prosper Africa announced a $5 million catalytic capital award to ImpactA Global, aimed at mobilizing $300 million in private investment for sustainable infrastructure in emerging markets.  The award serves as first-loss capital designed to reduce investment risk and attract new institutional investors who might otherwise be hesitant to engage in Africa-focused investments.
   
4. Bolstering Power Africa, USTDA has invested $5 million to support a just energy transition across several African countries.  These investments are supporting solar energy generation in Zambia, wind energy generation in Malawi, strengthening the power grid in Cote d’Ivoire, promoting clean energy in South Africa, and supporting climate innovation through reverse trade missions.
   
5. At the Summit, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced its intent to develop a case study in partnership with the Ghanaian Ministry of Energy on integrating nuclear and renewable energy systems.  Under the Clean Energy Ministerial, DOE is leading a $300,000 initiative to evaluate the potential roles for nuclear and renewable energy to support Ghanaian energy needs for both electric and non-electric applications.  DOE and Ghana also launched Africa’s first regional Clean Energy Training Center in Accra, Ghana, providing courses on large and small modular reactors, financing, contract structures, risk management, and legal issues.
   
6. DOE is working with Mozambique on methane mitigation from the gas sector and clean hydrogen development, with Kenya on a $250,000 project to examine opportunities for direct air capture combined with geothermal energy, with Nigeria on a $250,000 study supporting their regulatory framework for carbon management, and with Morocco on solar energy.  DOE and the Moroccan Research Institute in Solar Energy and New Energies hosted a Solar Decathlon Design Challenge for collegiate teams from across Africa and around the world to design buildings powered by renewable energy.   
   
7. Under its Climate Change and Health Initiative, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) established Exploratory Research Centers that bring together scientists to work with affected communities to build resilience and adapt to climate driven stressors.  Three of the centers have focus areas in Kenya, Madagascar, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe.  These centers are conducting research on early warning models for vector borne diseases, the effects of extreme weather events on mental health and interpersonal violence, and pilot solutions for climate risks to human health.
   
8. At the Summit, the Department of State announced the Accelerating Women’s Empowerment in Energy (AWEE) project to help secure women’s economic futures through green jobs.  Since then, the State Department launched AWEE with an initial investment of $1 million.  The project has funded 11 small grants to local organizations in South Africa and Kenya to address barriers to the entry, promotion, and retention of women in each country’s clean energy sector.

Promoting Food Security and Resilient Food Systems

At the Summit, President Biden launched the U.S.-African Union (AU) Strategic Partnership to accelerate progress in tackling food insecurity, build stronger and more diversified food systems and supply chains, scale Africa’s agricultural production capacity, and expand African countries’ access to agricultural markets.  Since the launch of the partnership, we have aligned our food security assistance and programming and leveraged our convening power and partnerships, including through PGI, to build sustainable food systems, expand investments in agricultural infrastructure, and tackle trade policy reforms. 

1. Since FY 2022, the United States provided nearly $20 billion in life-saving humanitarian assistance and early recovery, risk reduction, and resilience programming in Africa.  Humanitarian assistance addresses acute food insecurity caused by conflicts, including Russia’s war in Ukraine and natural disasters, including climate shocks impacting millions of people across the African continent. 
   
2. Since 2023, MCC has committed over $1.6 billion toward food security initiatives through newly signed or launched programs.  These projects are boosting farm productivity and increasing rural incomes by investing in better irrigation methods, increasing production of high-value crops, and improving road conditions.
   
3. During his historic trip to Angola, President Biden announced additional humanitarian funding, including more than $200 million to purchase, ship, and distribute surplus agricultural commodities from American farmers to provide life-saving food assistance for refugees and other food-insecure populations in Africa.
   
4. Since December 2022, DFC has provided over $180 million to 15 food security focused projects in Africa.  These include a $20 million DFC loan to Victory Farms in Kenya to support expansion of sustainable tilapia production on Lake Victoria; a $75 million loan to Indorama Eleme Fertilizer & Chemicals Limited to finance the development, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of a urea-ammonia fertilizer facility in Port Harcourt, Nigeria; and project development technical assistance and loans to Ifria, a developer of cold chain warehouses in Morocco and Senegal.
   
5. As part of the U.S. Government’s Feed the Future initiative, the global Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils (VACS) program helps build resilient food systems in partner countries using diverse, nutritious, and climate resilient crops grown in healthy, fertile soils.  Since 2023, the United States has donated $150 million and mobilized another $60 million from international partners for VACS programming.  Implementing partner organizations include the International Fund for Agricultural Development, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, and the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research. 
   
6. USAID and the AU launched the “Feed the Future Accelerator” in September 2024 with a new commitment, working with Congress, of more than $80 million to deepen food security partnerships in Malawi, Tanzania, and Zambia.  U.S. investments will harness the region’s combination of fertile land, diverse farming systems, and highly-motivated governments to support a regional breadbasket.  These funds complement a diverse Feed the Future portfolio including over $497 million of ongoing U.S. investments in these three countries, plus more than $150 million in private sector investments.
   
7. As part of the larger U.S. Government response to the global food crisis through Feed the Future, USAID and the African Development Bank (AfDB) completed an agreement in January 2024 to fund a $9.5 million project—Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation—to help Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, and Zambia increase food production and introduce climate-smart technologies.
   
8. Building on the U.S.-AU Strategic Partnership on Food Security, the United States supported the AU process to refresh the Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Program (CAADP) 10-year strategic plan focused on food security and increased agricultural trade.  USAID provided analytical work that fed into CAADP Technical Working Groups and submitted an independent memorandum to the AU Commission with recommendations on how to achieve agricultural transformation, wealth creation, food security and nutrition, and economic growth.

Promoting Peace, Security, and Democratic Governance

The United States supported peace as the largest single humanitarian donor for refugee and migration-related needs in Sub-Saharan Africa, working with international organization and NGO partners to support over eight million refugees and asylum seekers and over 30 million internally displaced persons.  President Biden also launched the 21st Century Partnership for African Security (21PAS), to expand support to African partners with a focus on promoting effective, responsible, and accountable defense institutions able to meet the emerging threats of our time.  At the Summit, the United States reaffirmed its commitment to support complex political transitions in Africa through launching the African Democratic and Political Transitions (ADAPT) initiative. 

1. In FY 2024, the United States, through the State Department’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, provided more than $1.37 billion in Africa to support urgent and lifesaving needs for refugees, asylum seekers, conflict victims, stateless persons, and vulnerable migrants, including those affected by climate change.  Since December 2022, the United States has resettled over 56,000 refugees from Sub-Saharan Africa, welcoming them as they build new lives in communities across the United States.  The majority of refugees resettled were from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, the Republic of South Sudan, Somalia, and Sudan.
   
2. The United States, Gabon, Ghana, and Mozambique worked together to successfully authorize UN Security Council Resolution 2719, which outlines a process for the AU to receive UN funding for Peace Support Operations (PSOs).  UN Security Council Resolution 2719 is a testament to the U.S. and AU commitment to addressing conflict in the region through African-led solutions.  The United States is supportive of the UN and the AU utilizing the Resolution to support PSOs on the continent while working together to ensure that human rights, transparency, and accountability mechanisms are successful. 
   
3. Through 21PAS, the Department of Defense is focusing on improving the capacity of African partners to plan, resource, and sustain their defense and security forces.  21PAS values partnerships rooted in transparency, accountability, and respect for human rights, recognizing that these values are foundational to lasting security.  Using these criteria, the Department of Defense identified a broad array of security cooperation programming totaling $73 million for Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, and countries along the Gulf of Guinea and Western Indian Ocean.
   
4. The United States continues to bolster democratic governance through the ADAPT initiative.  For example, in Gabon, U.S. technical assistance to government entities, civic groups, media outlets, and women- and youth-focused organizations supports inclusive constitutional and electoral legal reforms and free, fair, and peaceful transitional elections.
   
5. Since 2022, USAID, through the Elections and Political Processes Fund, has provided $48.9 million for critical election support in 28 countries in Africa for unanticipated needs such as snap elections or other unforeseen political developments.  USAID provided an additional $17.4 million through the Defending Democratic Elections Fund to 10 countries to tackle deeply rooted electoral integrity issues, especially during inter-election periods.  Through the Women’s Political Participation and Leadership fund, USAID provided $8.36 million in FY 2022 and 2023 to four countries to build and sustain the pipeline of women leaders and facilitate their safe and meaningful participation in political, peacebuilding, and transition processes.
   
6. Since 2022, the U.S. Government has dedicated over $181 million through the Prevention and Stabilization Fund to enhance partnerships with Mozambique, Libya, Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, and Togo.  Efforts focus on 10-year objectives to include promoting reconciliation and unification; accelerating inclusive and sustainable economic development; improving responsive governance and security institutions; promoting respect for human rights; strengthening justice systems; building capacity and resilience in historically marginalized, at-risk, and conflict-affected areas; and advancing meaningful participation of women and youth.

Deepening Health Cooperation

The United States works in partnership with African nations and regional and global partners, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and its Africa Regional Office (AFRO), the AU, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), and the private sector, to save lives and build more resilient health systems that are better able to prevent and respond to current and future health threats. 

1. The Administration has built on the United States’ longstanding leadership in the fight to end HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria as public health threats, including by investing more than $15.55 billion through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria (Global Fund), and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.  These investments have reduced the burden of HIV, malaria, tuberculosis, and vaccine-preventable diseases and have strengthened health systems in more than 30 countries on the African continent.
   
2. Over the past two years, the United States provided more than $3 billion in global health funding to support health workers, including funding through PEPFAR to support more than 346,000 health professionals to deliver HIV and tuberculosis services in the past year.  PEPFAR is also providing $8 million to support nurses, who are the backbone of patient care, in Botswana, Côte d’Ivoire, Eswatini, Malawi, Nigeria, South Africa, and Zambia.  In FY 2024, USAID provided $10 million to support the Global Health Worker Initiative to build on the Primary Impact Initiative in countries including Ghana.
   
3. PEPFAR has been central to reversing the HIV/AIDS pandemic’s trajectory—in Sub-Saharan Africa, there were 56 percent fewer new HIV infections in 2023 than in 2010.  Nine African countries are nearing or achieving the UNAIDS 2025 global goal that 95 percent of people living with HIV will know their status and benefit from treatment that keeps them healthy and helps prevent further spread, with several more countries on track to reach these goals by the end of 2025. 
   
4. Since FY 2021, PMI has invested more than $100 million to support 100,000 community health workers across its partner countries to rapidly detect and treat malaria in their communities.  These investments in integrated platforms also enable treatment of other common childhood illnesses such as diarrhea and pneumonia, improve the quality and reach of primary health care, and strengthen countries’ ability to prevent, detect, and respond to disease outbreaks. 
   
5. PMI has supported African manufacturing to promote more resilient and sustainable commodity supply chains.  In FY 2023, PMI sourced approximately 10% of its commodity procurements from Africa, more than double what was procured from the continent in FY 2021.  From FY 2019 to FY 2023, PMI transitioned from primary reliance on air freight to using sea and land freight to transport malaria commodities, reducing transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions by 85% and generating $66 million in cost savings, which PMI used to expand other malaria-related programs.
   
6. In April 2024, the Administration launched the U.S. Global Health Security Strategy to strengthen pandemic preparedness and response and welcomed six new Global Health Security Partners in Africa.  The United States continues working in partnership with African nations to support outbreak responses, including on Marburg, mpox, Ebola, and cholera. 
   
7. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of NIH, has been partnering with research agencies and institutions in Africa for decades.  Longstanding research programs have enabled collaboration on research responses to emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. 
   
8. From 2022 to 2023, the U.S. Government provided more than $22 million to support the Government of Uganda’s Ebola response and an additional $7 million to help neighboring countries prepare for potential outbreaks.  In 2023, the United States worked with the Governments of Tanzania and Equatorial Guinea and other international partners to address simultaneous but unrelated Marburg virus disease outbreaks, providing over $5.8 million to support key response and prevention efforts.  In response to the Marburg virus disease outbreak in Rwanda starting in September 2024, the United States has provided technical support, vaccines, diagnostics, therapeutics, and personal protective equipment and plans to allocate over $11 million regionally to address urgent health needs.
   
9. The United States partners with biological laboratories in the public, private, and academic sectors in 20 African countries to provide trainings and assist partner institutions with performing laboratory risk assessments.  These partnerships improve biosafety, biosecurity, and cybersecurity.  The United States also provides training to technical staff and biomedical engineers responsible for upkeep of laboratory equipment for high containment laboratories.
   
10. DFC continues to catalyze investments to strengthen regional manufacturing capacity in Africa, including by providing input into the design of Gavi’s African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator to ensure long-term sustainability of African vaccine manufacturers.  Following DFC’s loan of €100 million to Aspen Pharmacare in 2021, in 2024 DFC committed a direct loan of up to €110 million to expand Aspen’s capacity to manufacture pediatric vaccines, insulin, and other essential medicines in South Africa. DFC collaborated with the International Finance Corporation, the German Development Finance Institution, and Proparco to co-finance expansion of Aspen.
    
11. DFC also invests in health services, and technology to improve access to affordable, high-quality health care and products.  For example, in 2023 DFC committed a $10 million loan to Hewatele, a medical oxygen manufacturer in Kenya to expand production and distribution of medical oxygen.  DFC also provided a $10 million loan guaranty to KCB Bank in Kenya to increase financing available to small and medium enterprises in the health sector. 
    
12. In December 2022, USTDA launched the Coalition for Healthcare Infrastructure in Africa, a collaboration between USTDA and U.S. industry to help meet the healthcare needs of African partners and to increase access to quality healthcare products and services for millions of individuals across the continent.  From November 2023 to July 2024, USTDA hosted three healthcare workshops that convened U.S. and African public and private sector representatives with the aim of strengthening regulatory systems and facilitating broader market access for healthcare products across the continent.
    
13. Since 2022, the United States has donated over $50 million to projects in support of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Rays of Hope initiative, which provides assistance in nuclear and radiation medicine to advance cancer diagnosis and treatment in low- and middle-income countries.  In 2024, the United States provided an additional $6 million to Rays of Hope projects in Benin, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Malawi, Niger, and Senegal. 
    
14. At the Summit, First Lady Jill Biden highlighted the U.S. Government’s unwavering commitment to improving cancer outcomes in countries in Africa.  In July 2024, the Biden Cancer Moonshot hosted the White House Africa Cancer Care Forum, which convened health leaders from Benin, DRC, Lesotho, Mozambique, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, and Zambia committed to expanding national capacity for cancer diagnosis and treatment.  During the forum, the United States announced over $100 million in commitments to reduce the burden of cancer, bringing the collective total to over $400 million. 
    
15. The U.S.-South Africa Cancer Care and Research Alliance (U.S.-SACCRA) was established in December 2023 to deliver improved health outcomes in Africa, including by reducing the burden of cancer.  U.S.-SACCRA partners with several South African academic and research institutions; government departments, and leading U.S. cancer institutes to design, share, and fast-track scientific exchanges and capacity development for cancer care and research in both countries.

Elevating African Diaspora Engagement

Since the Summit, the Administration has aimed to harness the dynamism of the African Diaspora to enrich lives on both sides of the Atlantic.  The Administration has strengthened educational, cultural, social, political, and economic ties among African communities, the global African Diaspora, and the United States.  As Vice President Harris said during her 2023 trip to the African continent, “The fates of America and the continent of Africa are interconnected and interdependent.” 

1. In December 2022, President Biden established the President’s Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement in the United States (PAC-ADE) to provide advice on strengthening connections between the U.S. Government and the African Diaspora in the United States.  The Council members held their inaugural meeting in October 2023 with Vice President Harris and Secretary Blinken presiding. 
   
2. Since the Summit, PAC-ADE conducted its first plenary session meeting at Spelman College, and developed the EdTech initiative announced during Kenyan President Ruto’s visit to Spelman College. The Council also conducted its inaugural visit to the continent in July 2024 to Lagos and Abuja, Nigeria, where they met with government, civil society, and private-sector partners to discuss diaspora-led investments in education, entrepreneurship, health, technology, youth and women empowerment, and the creative industries.  The Council held its final meeting of the year in October 2024, with remarks by Assistant to the President, Senior Advisor to the President, and Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement Mayor Steve Benjamin. Several members of the Council joined President Biden on his trip to Angola in December 2024.
   
3. In concert with PAC-ADE’s keen focus on increasing business ties with the continent, Prosper Africa has prioritized the support of Diaspora firms and investors, resulting in a portfolio of notable transactions with Diaspora-owned and led firms.  These include Cybastion’s partnership with Cisco Systems on over $800 million of cybersecurity and digital upgrade contracts in six countries.  Prosper Africa also established active partnerships with leading Diaspora organizations, including joining with USAID to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Alliance for Black Business, an organization founded in 2022 by the National Black Chamber of Commerce, the National Business League, and the World Conference of Mayors.
   
4. In addition to PAC-ADE, the U.S. Government is investing in Diaspora engagement through education.  The Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) embodies our investment in our shared future by providing training opportunities for diverse African youth.  At the Summit, Vice President Harris announced plans to expand YALI.  As part of this expansion, in September 2023, USAID launched the YALI Legacy Localization award to expand the work of the four Regional Leadership Centers on the continent that provide transformative leadership training.  In November 2024, the USAID-led YALI Alumni Expo and Trade Show took place in Cape Town, South Africa, where over 500 YALI alumni showcased their innovations and fostered connection with experts and officials from the private sector, civil society, government, and the diaspora community.

Digital Transformation with Africa

Launched at the Summit, the Digital Transformation with Africa (DTA) initiative aims to expand digital access in Africa, increase commercial engagement between U.S. and African companies in the digital sector, support increased digital literacy, and strengthen digital enabling environments across Africa.  DTA works in alignment with the priorities outlined in the AU’s Digital Transformation Strategy to enable innovative, inclusive and sustainable growth and development.  DTA’s work is organized across the following three pillars:

Digital Economy and Infrastructure

1. In May 2024, Vice President Harris launched two public-private partnerships—the Mobilizing Access to the Digital Economy (MADE) Alliance:  Africa and the Partnership for Digital Access in Africa (PDAA). Both focus on increasing digital inclusion across Africa.  The MADE Alliance aims to provide digital access to critical services for 100 million individuals and businesses in Africa over the next 10 years.  PDAA will support African institutions to double the number of people connected to the internet in Africa from 40% to 80%, connect one billion people to the internet by 2030, and increase internet connectivity for women and girls from 30% to 80%.  
   
2. Since December 2022, USTDA has funded 20 activities to build the business case for innovative U.S. technologies that help to advance inclusive, secure, and sustainable digital infrastructure across Africa, including priority connectivity, cybersecurity, and smart cities projects.  USTDA is leveraging its grant-based funding for project preparation, which mitigates risk and unlocks bankable infrastructure projects.
   
3. Prosper Africa leads the Africa Tech for Trade Alliance (AT4T) with the support of USAID.  AT4T unites leading American and African tech companies to accelerate e-commerce and digital trade in Africa.  Alliance members include Visa, Mastercard, Intel, Cisco, Google, AWS and others. By leveraging U.S. companies’ technology assets, services, and expertise, the alliance fosters U.S.-Africa trade in fintech, ag-tech, eHealth and more.
   
4. In April 2024, the President’s Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa (PAC-DBIA), the Department of Commerce, and USTDA led a mission to the American Chamber of Commerce Business Summit in Kenya.  In Nairobi, they announced U.S. private sector commitments and collaborations, including initiatives in data protection, artificial intelligence, digital upskilling, and new investments in digital connectivity, women’s tech leadership, and a cybersecurity experience center.

Human Capital Development

1. In May 2024, USAID announced the DTA-YALI Partnership to leverage YALI Regional Leadership Centers to expand digital skills and literacy, support digital entrepreneurs and start-ups, and increase private sector engagement in 49 African countries.  USAID is also expanding the “Responsible Computer Challenges” to universities and educators in Kenya, Ghana, and South Africa.  This activity aims to empower students to account for the social and ethical context and impact of digital technologies, including frontier technologies such as artificial intelligence.
   
2. The Department of State prioritizes biosafety and biosecurity capacity building in Africa.  Over the past two years, the State Department has conducted trainings on cyberbiosecurity and secure data sharing to promote safe and timely coordination during outbreak responses.  The Department of State has ongoing efforts in practical cyberbiosecurity literacy for high containment laboratories to institutionalize cyberhygiene practices and to build both in-country and regional networks of leaders in cyberbiosecurity.
   
3. USAID and MCC are supporting the DigiFemmes program as part of MCC’s $536 million Compact with the Government of Côte d’Ivoire.  DigiFemmes provides the leadership, innovation, and technical training women need to grow their businesses through data and digital tools.  Nearly 9,000 women-owned small and medium enterprises have benefited from the $5.3 million program.  DigiFemmes graduates also accessed a total of $525,000 in follow-on funding distributed as small grants by the U.S. African Development Foundation to help refine their products and expand their markets through digital tools and innovations.
   
4. In March 2024, MCC and the Government of Togo launched Nanatech, a program designed to equip Togolese women and entrepreneurs with the digital skills they need to benefit from the growing digital economy.  To date, nearly 2,000 women and 200 supporting organizations have benefited. 

Digital Enabling Environment

1. In September 2024, the United States hosted the landmark Global Inclusivity and Artificial Intelligence: Africa (GIAA) Conference in Lagos, Nigeria, bringing together over 400 stakeholders, including government officials, industry leaders, civil society members, startup founders, and academics, to discuss the safe, secure, inclusive, and trustworthy deployment of artificial intelligence on the continent.  The GIAA conference underscored the growing importance of Africa’s inclusion in artificial intelligence development and the continent’s key role in the global emerging technology landscape.
   
2. In November 2024, representatives from the Department of Commerce, Department of State, USAID, and USTDA participated in a variety of engagements during the Africa Tech Festival in Cape Town, South Africa.  DTA hosted a U.S. Government side event for over 100 stakeholders from the U.S. and African public and private sectors to discuss key challenges to expanding digital access, increasing digital literacy, and strengthening digital enabling environments across Africa.   Participants discussed innovative U.S. and African solutions and collaborative strategies to advance Africa’s digital transformation.
   
3. USAID is working with Afrobarometer, through the United States Institute of Peace, to conduct public surveys to assess public awareness, perception, and understanding of digital threats, online safety, and cybersecurity in Benin, Kenya, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Tanzania, Senegal, and Angola.
   
4. USAID continues to facilitate discussions, build capacity, and deliver expert advisory services to the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat to develop and implement the Digital Trade Protocol to help advance international and intra-African digital economy and regulatory standards.

Partnerships in Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment

The Administration has elevated gender equity and equality across our foreign policy in Africa and around the world.  Societies—including the United States—do better when women participate and have equal opportunities.  Advancing the status of women and girls reduces poverty and promotes sustainable economic growth, increases access to education, improves health outcomes, advances political stability, and fosters democracy.  During the Summit, Vice President Harris announced new commitments to advance women’s economic participation in Africa, including the revitalization of the African Women’s Entrepreneurship Program (AWEP). 

1. Vice President Harris launched the Women in Digital Economy Fund (WiDEF)  in 2023 to accelerate efforts to close the gender digital divide.  WiDEF and the corresponding Women in the Digital Economy Initiative have together catalyzed over $1 billion in commitments from governments, the private sector, foundations, and civil society to accelerate digital gender equality – including $102 million in U.S. direct and aligned commitments.  In addition, President Biden secured a historic commitment from G20 leaders to halve the digital gender gap by 2030.  Vice President Harris also launched the Women in the Sustainable Economy Initiative (WISE) in 2023 to promote women’s participation in sectors that address climate change.  Together, WiDEF and WISE represent a commitment of over $3 billion, including millions to empower African women and girls. 
   
2. In July 2024, SBA, Howard University’s Small Business Development Center, AWEP, the State Department, and the Department of Commerce cooperated on an event uniting local and African women-owned businesses on the margins of the 2024 AGOA Forum.  The program and marketplace facilitated business networking and an exchange of best practices on inclusive trade and to support for small business partnerships.  The event built on SBA’s February 2024 virtual event “Connecting U.S. and West African Small Businesses.”
   
3. Over the past two years, DFC has deepened its commitment to advancing economic empowerment across Africa through a range of impactful investments.  Key investments include a $100 million loan to First City Monument Bank, Ltd., expanding access to longer-term loans for women-owned small- and medium-sized enterprises in Nigeria; the 2X Ignite Africa Warehousing Facility, providing critical portfolio-building capital to female-led and gender-balanced fund managers; and a $10 million equity investment in Janngo Capital Startup Fund to fuel the growth of African startups, with at least 50% of funding to women-led enterprises.  Each of these investments reflects DFC’s dedication to empowering women, driving innovation, and building sustainable pathways for economic independence.
   
4. The Department of State, through the Support Her Empowerment-Women’s Inclusion in New Security (SHE WINS) initiative, has invested more than $9 million globally and supported seven women-led and women-serving civil society organizations in Cameroon, the Central African Republic, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.  In August 2024, under the SHE WINS Rapid Response Fund, the United States, in partnership with Norway and Canada, convened a group of Sudanese women civil society leaders to inform discussions on a ceasefire, humanitarian access, and monitoring mechanisms.
   
5. Announced during Vice President Harris’ visit to Ghana in 2023, the Imarisha Women’s Initiative is helping women advance in their careers, improve their skill sets, and increase their income, while creating more flexible and supportive workplaces.  The first cohort of four companies in East Africa are providing leadership, mentorship, and skill trainings; menstrual health and hygiene and lactation support; and programs on the prevention of and response to gender-based violence and harassment in the workplace.

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The post FACT SHEET: Celebrating U.S.-Africa Partnership Two Years After the 2022 U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit appeared first on The White House.

Twelve years ago today, the community of Newtown, Connecticut, and the entire nation were forever changed when twenty innocent children and six brave educators were gunned down at Sandy Hook Elementary School by a single individual armed with a weapon of war. Jill and I still grieve this unimaginable loss and continue to pray for the victims’ families and others traumatized by this senseless violence. 
 
Many individuals impacted by the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School have turned their pain into purpose. Some families established foundations to carry on their loved ones’ memories—others chose to use their voices to fight for commonsense gun safety reform, hold the gun industry accountable with groundbreaking litigation, and fight back against those who spread misinformation and further victimize those impacted by gun violence. The elementary school children who survived the shooting are now young adults and many of them have also joined the effort to reduce gun violence and save lives.
 
The legacy of this tragedy is one of great loss—but also hope. Twelve years ago, moms sitting at their kitchen counters went online, expressed their outrage, and organized for commonsense gun safety legislation. Congresswoman Gabby Giffords decided enough was enough and started her own effort to combat gun violence. Gun violence prevention organizations that had been invested in the cause for decades reemerged with renewed strength. Today’s gun violence prevention movement is stronger than ever before because of survivors and other Americans who saw the Sandy Hook shooting and said “enough.”
 
With the strength of this emboldened movement by our side, we have made historic progress to reduce gun violence over the past four years. I signed into law the most significant piece of gun safety legislation in nearly 30 years. I announced dozens of executive actions to keep guns out of dangerous hands and get especially dangerous weapons off our streets. I established the first-ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, overseen by Vice President Harris, to accelerate this work. After four years under my administration, homicides are down, crime is falling, and we are seeing fewer mass shootings. This progress is no accident. 
 
Still, more must be done. Congress has an obligation to ‘do something’ in order to protect our children and communities from this scourge of gun violence. We are the only nation experiencing this epidemic and there are common sense policies that the majority of Americans agree with and that Congress can easily take action on. We need universal background checks, red flag laws, safe storage requirements, and a ban on assault weapons like the one used at Sandy Hook. I remain hopeful that we will continue to make progress on these priorities. This hope is rooted in the history of what we have accomplished already and the strength of all the survivors of gun violence that I have had the privilege of working with during my career.
 

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The post Statement from President Joe Biden Marking Twelve Years Since the Sandy Hook Elementary School Shooting appeared first on The White House.

Twelve years ago today, the community of Newtown, Connecticut, and the entire nation were forever changed when twenty innocent children and six brave educators were gunned down at Sandy Hook Elementary School by a single individual armed with a weapon of war. Jill and I still grieve this unimaginable loss and continue to pray for the victims’ families and others traumatized by this senseless violence. 
 
Many individuals impacted by the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School have turned their pain into purpose. Some families established foundations to carry on their loved ones’ memories—others chose to use their voices to fight for commonsense gun safety reform, hold the gun industry accountable with groundbreaking litigation, and fight back against those who spread misinformation and further victimize those impacted by gun violence. The elementary school children who survived the shooting are now young adults and many of them have also joined the effort to reduce gun violence and save lives.
 
The legacy of this tragedy is one of great loss—but also hope. Twelve years ago, moms sitting at their kitchen counters went online, expressed their outrage, and organized for commonsense gun safety legislation. Congresswoman Gabby Giffords decided enough was enough and started her own effort to combat gun violence. Gun violence prevention organizations that had been invested in the cause for decades reemerged with renewed strength. Today’s gun violence prevention movement is stronger than ever before because of survivors and other Americans who saw the Sandy Hook shooting and said “enough.”
 
With the strength of this emboldened movement by our side, we have made historic progress to reduce gun violence over the past four years. I signed into law the most significant piece of gun safety legislation in nearly 30 years. I announced dozens of executive actions to keep guns out of dangerous hands and get especially dangerous weapons off our streets. I established the first-ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, overseen by Vice President Harris, to accelerate this work. After four years under my administration, homicides are down, crime is falling, and we are seeing fewer mass shootings. This progress is no accident. 
 
Still, more must be done. Congress has an obligation to ‘do something’ in order to protect our children and communities from this scourge of gun violence. We are the only nation experiencing this epidemic and there are common sense policies that the majority of Americans agree with and that Congress can easily take action on. We need universal background checks, red flag laws, safe storage requirements, and a ban on assault weapons like the one used at Sandy Hook. I remain hopeful that we will continue to make progress on these priorities. This hope is rooted in the history of what we have accomplished already and the strength of all the survivors of gun violence that I have had the privilege of working with during my career.
 

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The post Statement from President Joe Biden Marking Twelve Years Since the Sandy Hook Elementary School Shooting appeared first on The White House.

The White House

Thank you, Lieutenant General Anderson. Joe and I are so grateful to you and Lieutenant General Laster for your decades of service and leadership. Both of you have built inspiring careers guiding troops and giving back to our communities alongside your amazing Toys for Tots team.

To the senior spouses who are with us today: through your care and resolve, you lift up all of our military families. Your service doesn’t go unnoticed by the Commander-in-Chief. Thank you.

Welcome to the White House!

The festive music we’ve heard today is performed by the President’s Own Marine Band. Joe and I are grateful to them and to their families for their service, and for filling the White House with talent and grace.

Each year, we decorate this house for the holidays—and I’m so glad that all of you can be part of the magic.

Did you see the gingerbread house in the State Dining Room?

This season can be filled with excitement and wonder—with colorful lights and hot chocolate and presents. But if you only remember one thing from the holidays, after all the wrapping paper is cleaned up, let it be this: you are loved.

There are so many people who care about you—from your family and friends, to your teachers and classmates, to the President and me.

And the best thing we can do with that love is to let it overflow—to share it with others who might really need it.

I know that you already do this in so many ways: by caring for your siblings and cousins, by being a friend to a kid at school who feels lonely, and you’re doing it today, by helping more children experience the joy of the holidays.

You’re also part of a special group of kids who help everyone in our nation, through your families’ military service.

And I want to thank your parents—for your dedication to this country, for raising such wonderful kids, and for bringing delight to children across the nation who will have these gifts under their tree this year.

The President and I are grateful, and we’re honored to open the White House to all of you.

Merry Christmas and happy holidays.

And now, let’s get to sorting!

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The post Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by First Lady Jill Biden at a Toys for Tots Event with Military Families appeared first on The White House.

The White House

Thank you, Lieutenant General Anderson. Joe and I are so grateful to you and Lieutenant General Laster for your decades of service and leadership. Both of you have built inspiring careers guiding troops and giving back to our communities alongside your amazing Toys for Tots team.

To the senior spouses who are with us today: through your care and resolve, you lift up all of our military families. Your service doesn’t go unnoticed by the Commander-in-Chief. Thank you.

Welcome to the White House!

The festive music we’ve heard today is performed by the President’s Own Marine Band. Joe and I are grateful to them and to their families for their service, and for filling the White House with talent and grace.

Each year, we decorate this house for the holidays—and I’m so glad that all of you can be part of the magic.

Did you see the gingerbread house in the State Dining Room?

This season can be filled with excitement and wonder—with colorful lights and hot chocolate and presents. But if you only remember one thing from the holidays, after all the wrapping paper is cleaned up, let it be this: you are loved.

There are so many people who care about you—from your family and friends, to your teachers and classmates, to the President and me.

And the best thing we can do with that love is to let it overflow—to share it with others who might really need it.

I know that you already do this in so many ways: by caring for your siblings and cousins, by being a friend to a kid at school who feels lonely, and you’re doing it today, by helping more children experience the joy of the holidays.

You’re also part of a special group of kids who help everyone in our nation, through your families’ military service.

And I want to thank your parents—for your dedication to this country, for raising such wonderful kids, and for bringing delight to children across the nation who will have these gifts under their tree this year.

The President and I are grateful, and we’re honored to open the White House to all of you.

Merry Christmas and happy holidays.

And now, let’s get to sorting!

###

The post Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by First Lady Jill Biden at a Toys for Tots Event with Military Families appeared first on The White House.

Tel Aviv, Israel

5:23 P.M. IST

MR. SULLIVAN:  Good afternoon, everyone.  I want to start by taking a moment to reflect on the last year and take stock of where we are.  This is my seventh time visiting Israel as National Security Advisor.  I was here on October 18th of last year when I joined President Biden to send a strong signal of support to the Israeli people following the horrific terrorist massacres by Hamas on October 7th.

President Biden believed at the time it was important to come to Israel shortly after those attacks, becoming the first American President to visit Israel in a time of war, because he wanted the people of Israel and also the people of the world to see that the United States would stand with Israel in its time of need. 

A year after that trip, I was with the President in the Situation Room, where, for the second time in a period of five months, President Biden ordered the U.S. military to take direct action to defend Israel from a significant attack launched by Iran.  Side by side, U.S. Naval destroyers joined Israeli air defense to intercept a rainfall of inbound missiles, ballistic missiles fired directly from Iran. 

Over the past 15 months, we’ve remained vigilant to the further threats and attacks from Iran and its proxies, including Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis. 

People seem to forget the basic fact of this conflict and these past 15 months: Israel did not seek or start this war.  Hamas started this war, invading Israel in military formations, killing 1,200 people, kidnapping and holding hostage hundreds more — Israeli citizens and citizens from around the world. 

Iran then made a fateful choice to join in and open a multifront war against Israel.  Backed by the ironclad security partnership with the United States, Israel has defeated two direct attacks from Iran and directly struck into Iran in response, degrading Iran’s military capability.

Hezbollah’s leaders are gone, and we have concluded a ceasefire in Lebanon, the terms of which made clear that Hezbollah can never again rebuild its terror infrastructure to threaten Israel. 

Hamas’s leaders are gone, including the masterminds of October 7th, and we will make sure that Hamas can never again threaten Israel as they did on October 7th, ever.

And now, the Assad regime in Syria is gone, removing the primary client state of Iran in the region and the lifeline to Hezbollah.

When Joe Biden said to those who seek to take advantage of October 7th and to use that tragic day to threaten and attack Israel, “Don’t,” this is what he meant, and we still mean it.  Don’t. 

The balance of power in the Middle East has changed significantly and not in the way that Sinwar or Nasrallah or Iran had planned. 

We are now faced with a dramatically reshaped Middle East in which Israel is stronger, Iran is weaker, its proxies decimated, and a ceasefire that is new and will be lasting in Lebanon that ensures Israel’s security over the long term. 

The purpose of my visit today has been to continue to build on this progress to ensure that that ceasefire sticks and is fully enforced; to capitalize on the opportunity of the fall of Assad for a better future for the people of Syria while vigilantly managing the risks that come with the change in Syria, including the possibility and the risk that terrorist groups like ISIS are able to take advantage and create new threats against the United States, Israel, and other countries in the region and around the world; to continue pressure on Iran while remaining vigilant against the continuing threat from Iran, including the threat from its nuclear program.  And President Biden remains committed to the simple proposition that the United States of America will never permit Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon.

And to build on all that we’ve done, we’re now looking to close a hostage release deal and a ceasefire, which would stop the war and reunite hostages with their families. 

Just over one year ago, we reached a deal that brought 78 hostages out of Gaza and home to their families.  It’s time to finish the job and bring all of the hostages home. 

Before departing Washington, I once again met with the families of the American hostages still held in Gaza.  I made a commitment to them, the same commitment that I’ve made every time I’ve met with them: that I will do everything in my power to try to bring their loved ones home, to do my best to help them see their loved ones again.  I had them in mind today when I met with Prime Minister Netanyahu, Minister Dermer, and the security team to try to bring us closer to a deal.  And from here, I plan to travel to Doha and then on to Cairo to continue to advance this effort. 

A ceasefire and hostage deal would start bringing those hostages home.  It would also allow for a massive surge in humanitarian assistance.  We discussed the humanitarian situation and the suffering of Palestinian civilians in Gaza today.  We discussed recent steps taken to increase the flow of much-needed assistance and further steps that need to be taken in the days ahead. 

It is an American commandment and a Jewish commandment that every innocent life has value.  I have previously quoted a poem that means a great deal to my family, a poem from John Donne, which says, “Any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind.”  That is the spirit that the United States has brought to this conflict — to stand up strongly in the defense of the State of Israel and try to reduce suffering of innocent people wherever they may be. 

We are now in the midst of a political transition.  I have been engaging my successor, the incoming National Security Advisor, in a professional and serious way on all of the issues that affect the State of Israel, the threats and the opportunities.  And we’ve had good discussions, constructive and substantive discussions, and those will continue to ensure that there is a smooth handoff on January 20th. 

There’s also something else important in those discussions, which is that it is my personal commitment to ensure that the U.S.-Israel partnership rests on a solid bipartisan foundation going forward.  And I’m going to continue to do everything I can to contribute to that, because I believe it is in my country’s interest and the interest of the State of Israel. 

So, thank you for bearing with me as I set the context for my visit today, report on some of the things we discussed and the current events, and I will be happy to take your questions. 

Yeah.

Q    Michelle Kelemen with NPR.

MR. SULLIVAN:  Hi, Michelle.

Q    Do you get the sense that Netanyahu is waiting for Trump to reach a hostage deal?  And if so, do you think the hostages can survive until then?

MR. SULLIVAN:  I believe that every day brings increasing risk, which is why there’s such urgency to try to get this deal.  Obviously, we’ve seen the tragic death of hostages since the massacres of October 7th and over the course of the past 15-months conflict. 

So as soon as we can close this deal, we should close this deal in the interest of bringing those hostages home. 

The answer to your first question is: No, I do not get that sense.  I got the sense today from the Prime Minister he’s ready to do a deal.  And when I go to Doha and Cairo, my goal will be to put us in a position to be able to close this deal this month, not later. 

Now, we’ve been close before and haven’t gotten there, so I can’t make any promises or predictions to you, but I wouldn’t be here today if I thought this thing was just waiting until after January 20th.  I am here today because I believe every day matters, and we are going to use every day we have to try to close the deal as soon as we possibly can.

Yeah.

Q    Thanks, Jake.  Jake, what new concessions have Israel and Hamas made or indicated that they are prepared to make? We’ve seen, in particular, reports that Hamas is willing to allow Israeli troops to remain along Netzarim and Philadelphi for longer than previously.  Can you confirm that Hamas has provided a list of hostages who they would release?

And then, just on Syria as well, if you could comment.  The Israeli military has conducted nearly 500 strikes in recent days on Syrian military assets, not only chemical weapons depots but also missiles, helicopters, things that presumably a new Syrian army would need in the future to maintain stability inside of Syria.  Are you at all concerned about the impact of those Israeli strikes?  And did the Prime Minister provide you with any assurances about how long these strikes will continue for, if indeed they will?

MR. SULLIVAN:  So, on your first question, I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I can’t negotiate in public on the terms of the hostage deal.  I’ll leave the details where they belong, which is behind closed doors among the parties and the mediators.  And as soon as we come to something that is an agreed document to bring forward, we will bring it forward and you can see all of its terms. 

With respect to Syria, what Israel is doing is trying to identify potential threats, both conventional and weapons of mass destruction, that could threaten Israel and, frankly, threaten others as well, and neutralize those threats.  That is part of its effort to protect the country in the midst of a very fluid situation.

We are in deep consultations with the Israeli government about where this goes from here, what that will look like in the days and weeks ahead.  I’m going to leave it at that for now.  But the efforts taken to date really have been focused on the types of capabilities that could represent a genuine threat to the State of Israel. 

Yeah. 

Q    Hi.  Thank you so much.  Owen Alterman from i24NEWS. Two questions that are related. 

First of all, we’ve seen reports in the last few days of American-backed Kurdish troops that have been shooting at and been shot by Turkish-backed troops in northeastern Syria.  What are the red lines of Turkish involvement in that part of the country from the perspective of the administration?

And the second question: There’s concern in Israel that Turkish activity in Syria could ultimately, in the medium term even, be hostile to us and be hostile activities up to and including on our border.  What kind of assurances can you give the Israeli public that that scenario won’t materialize?

MR. SULLIVAN:  So, first, our commitment to our partnership with the Syrian Kurds, especially the Syrian Democratic Forces, is deep and resolute.  And that commitment exists because we are in a partnership with them to fight ISIS.  And they have been very capable counterterrorism partners not just in suppressing the threat from ISIS, but also in holding ISIS terrorists in large numbers in detention facilities in eastern Syria.  And we want to make sure that that ongoing work is not disturbed. 

Second, our own commitment to the continued defeat — work to defeat ISIS has just been renewed in a quite vigorous way over the weekend with a series of strikes on ISIS personnel and facilities in the central Syrian Desert, dozens and dozens of targets that we hit with real, intense American capability, B-52s.  And what we are saying with that strike is we are going to continue to hit any ISIS threat where we find it, and we’re going to work with our partners to do so. 

I have learned, maybe both the easy way and the hard way, not to speak about red lines in this part of the world publicly, so I do not intend to do so from this podium.  But I do want to just make the point that we are engaged both in consultations with our Kurdish partners.  In fact, General Kurilla was just recently very deeply in conversation with our Kurdish partners.  And we are in conversations with Turkey as well about our expectations and about what we see as the best way forward. 

I think those conversations are serious, they’re intense, they’re ongoing.  They have already produced some results, including this de-escalation around Manbij that both Turkey and the Kurds have kind of informally signed up to.  All of that is tenuous.  It is fragile.  It is something that is going to require ongoing work and cultivation, and it is something that we will be very vigilant to as a top priority going forward.  But beyond that, I cannot comment further today.

Q    What about assurances did Israel (inaudible) about Turkish activity in Syria (inaudible)?

MR. SULLIVAN:  So, we look at the situation in Syria as having a range of different risks presented, including the potential for fracture in that state, as well as power vacuums that can give rise to terrorist groups that can threaten beyond borders, as well as the potential for groups to be in charge in Damascus who bear hostile intent to outside forces, including to neighbors like Israel. 

All of those are possibilities.  All of those are risks that President Biden has spoken to publicly and that we are dealing with partners on privately, including dealing with the Turks, who do have some measure of influence here, and where we have set out our views and expectations. 

But again, given the nature of the situation, given the sensitivity, given the urgency, it’s important, I think, for us to be able to carry out those conversations behind closed doors as we make progress, and then we will share with you the results. 

Yeah.

Q    Jake, Raf Sanchez from NBC News.  I know you’re not going to negotiate in public here, but there does seem to be more flexibility from both Israel and Hamas right now.  What do you attribute that to?  Is it the killing of Sinwar?  Is it the weakening of Hezbollah?  Is it President-elect Trump injecting urgency into this?

And just on Syria, the Israeli government is saying its presence in the buffer zone and outside of it, inside Syria itself, is temporary.  Do you believe them that it’s temporary?  Did the Prime Minister give you a sense of what conditions would need to be met before Israel would withdraw?

MR. SULLIVAN:  We didn’t go into deep detail on the conditions, other than to say that those conditions would require Israel to feel that the kinds of understandings that were in place before the fall of the Assad regime to ensure stability, predictability, and security for Israel are put back into place. 

And, yes, we do have every expectation that it will be temporary.  The Prime Minister, the Israeli government have made that point not just to the United States, but have made that point publicly, and we take them at their word that that is the intention here as we work through a new arrangement that can ensure that Israel is secure in light of the risks that have been laid out in previous questions. 

There are any number of reasons for why contexts change in negotiations, especially in a situation as fluid as this, but I would point out that Hamas’s posture at the negotiating table did adapt following the announcement of the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon.  Why is that?  It’s because, for months, we believe Hamas was waiting for lots of other actors and forces to come to their rescue, to come to their aid.  And when we got that ceasefire, it was clear that the northern front had been decoupled from Gaza.  And from that moment forward, we’ve had a different character to the negotiation, and we believe that it puts us in a position to be able to close this negotiation. 

It is also, of course, relevant that Israel’s ability to meet so many of its military objectives in Gaza is relevant to the negotiation too, including the elimination of the top leader, Sinwar; other authors of that October 7th massacre; and the dismantlement, the destruction of the organized military formations of Hamas. 

So these are relevant considerations that we think have put this onto a plane where it could get done.  Whether it does get done still depends on both sides ultimately signing on the proverbial dotted line. 

The last thing I will say with respect to the incoming administration is, actually, we’ve had, as I said in my opening comments, very good consultation and coordination with them, including on this issue, where we keep them apprised of how the negotiations are unfolding.  We talk to them about how we can send a common message that the United States, no matter who’s sitting in the Oval Office, no matter whose party is in charge, wants to see this ceasefire and hostage deal and see it now.  That is all part of the American contribution to an effort to ultimately produce an outcome here, and we’re going to keep working until we get it done. 

Yeah.

Q    Thank you, Mr. Sullivan.  (Inaudible), Channel 14.  Regarding the continuation of passage of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, knowing what we know now, that Hamas takes advantage of this aid and holds it as a leverage for its own rule, was it a mistake by your administration to push Israel to maintain the transport of humanitarian aid and, by that, to strengthen Hamas?

MR. SULLIVAN:  It absolutely was not a mistake for the United States to seek to ensure that women and children and innocent people in Gaza, who have nothing to do with this fight but who, in fact, are being put in harm’s way by the way Hamas fights — using schools and mosques as terror infrastructure, hiding behind civilians, making it that much more difficult for Israel to carry the fight against Hamas and destroy its capabilities — those people deserve the basic sustenance of life.  They deserve food, water, medicine, sanitation. 

And, by the way, that’s not just an American position; that’s a requirement under international humanitarian law.  And it is also the position of this Israeli government, who is not standing up saying we should give no humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza.  They’re saying something different.

Now, we have viewed various critical points over the course of the past 15 months as moments where not enough was getting in to ensure that people had what they needed to survive.  And we made no bones about pressing on that.  Because we think, at the end of the day, feeding starving children does not harm the security of the State of Israel, but it does vindicate our common shared values of humanity. 

And so, as I said in my remarks, the American commandment, the Jewish commandment that every innocent life has value, that is a present factor and it’s something we have to take seriously, even as we take seriously that Israel has every right — indeed a duty — to go after its enemies with everything it’s got.  You have done that, and we have backed you in going after your enemies, Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran itself.  We have helped defend you against attacks, including from Iran itself.  And we have also stood up to say: Let’s make sure that Israel is not responsible for the third famine of the 21st century. 

We think that that is the right way to pursue a principled and just and strong, robust policy, and we will continue to do that as long as we’re in office. 

Yeah. 

Q    (Inaudible) Jewish Insider.  Do you have any update on the three Americans who are still believed to be alive?

MR. SULLIVAN:  I only can tell you that we have received the tragic news about the passing of Gadi and Judi and Itay and Omer all on October 7th, and of course, the godawful killing of Hersh during the course of this conflict.

We believe the other three Americans are alive.  We don’t have a proof of life from such a short time ago that I can tell you that for certain, but we believe that they are.  And of course, we saw the video of Edan Alexander. 

So we are operating on the proposition that there are seven Americans being held in Gaza currently — three of them alive, four of them deceased — and we want to bring all seven of them home. 

Yeah.

Q    Thank you.  Itamar (inaudible) from (inaudible).  I wanted to ask you if there is a linkage between the hostage deal and the ceasefire deal and the normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia.  Is it realistic to bring about a deal, a normalization deal, before January 20?

MR. SULLIVAN:  These are not linked.  The ceasefire and hostage deal is something we are pursuing on its own, because it is, we believe, a humanitarian imperative to bring the hostages home, and it is in the strategic interests of the State of Israel because all of its interests, its core interests, are protected in that deal.  We also believe it’s in the interest of the Palestinian people because it will allow for this surge in humanitarian assistance. 

So we are pushing for that deal on its own terms, for its own purposes, because we want to follow through on our commitment to do everything possible to get the hostages home.  So, there is no link there. 

Of course, we continue to believe in a long-term vision for the region of normalization and integration, and the President has laid that out.  And everything we do, we want to point in that direction.  But I don’t have any updates for you today on the question of normalization. 

Yeah.

Q    Thank you.  Gil Tamari, Channel 13 Israel.  I would like to follow up on one of my colleague’s questions.  The Prime Minister said today that Israel will continue to hold the territory in the buffer zone until there will be a governed force in Syria that will be able to oblige to the 1974 agreement.  And as you may know, this might take years.  So I would like to know if the United States is satisfied with the long-term Israeli position of — possession of the buffer zone. 

And also, is the G7 statement relay also to Israel when talking about the territory of Syria? 

And I know you cannot take us into the negotiation regarding the hostage, but can you give us the feeling?  What makes you this time a little bit more optimistic?  I know you hate to use the word “hopeful,” but what makes you this time a little bit more optimistic?

MR. SULLIVAN:  So, first, on the question of Israel’s move into that border zone in Syria: This is a fluid situation.  Fast-moving.  I would submit that everyone in this room, both sitting in these chairs and behind the cameras, was not thinking about the fall of Assad one month ago.  So that’s how fast things are moving. 

What Israel saw was an immediate threat, the collapse of a structure that had been in place for a long time and the potential for that vacuum to be filled by a direct, proximate threat right across its border.  So it moved in to fill that threat.  That, from the United States’ perspective, is logical and consistent with Israel’s right to self-defense. 

How this plays from here: We are a few days into this, so we will stay in close consultation with our Israeli partners, as well as with stakeholders in Syria, as well as with stakeholders across the region, and we will develop and elaborate a perspective on the best way forward in a coordinated way. 

And I just can’t sit here today and begin projecting out years into the future, given that just days ago, Assad still sat in Damascus. 

With respect to why there is more optimism in the air, shall we say, I think it’s partly for the reason that I laid out, which is: I do believe the ceasefire in Lebanon has generated a different context.  I actually believe that the loss of Iran’s client state in Syria has contributed to that different context.  Israel’s military progress against Hamas’s infrastructure formations and senior leaders has contributed to that context.  So, the surround sound of these negotiations is different today than it has been in the past. 

And then, the other point is that the people involved in these negotiations seem to me to have a little bit of a different feel about things than they did before.  That’s less measurable but I think still present.  And so —

Q    (Inaudible) not negotiating directly with Hamas.

MR. SULLIVAN:  No, I’m not referring to the Prime Minister.  I’m not referring to the Prime Minister. 

So those are the reasons why.  But, look, we have been in a place before where American officials have stood before podiums and said we are close, and we were close but we didn’t get there.  I believe we are close again.  Will we get there?  It is not yet clear whether we will or we won’t, but we are determined to try to drive this across the finish line. 

I’ll take two more questions.  Yeah. 

Q    So as we get ready — Maayan Hoffman from The Media Line.  As we get ready to, potentially, as you said, optimistically sign some kind of ceasefire or hostage deal, that would be, presumably, with Hamas.  And ultimately, the goal was to eradicate Hamas, to move them politically out of ruling Gaza.  As we sign the ceasefire, is there any indication or vision for Hamas continuing, therefore, to rule Gaza in some perspective, or do you have a vision of somebody else taking over in the interim?

MR. SULLIVAN:  So if you go back to President Biden’s speech in late May, laying out the terms of a phased ceasefire and hostage deal, the basic elements of and the basic framework of that deal are still live and part of the discussions that are happening today. 

In that speech, he said that this is a roadmap to end the war, and it’s a roadmap to a future of Gaza without Hamas in power.  Now, there’s a lot of steps between here and there, which is why a deal like this proceeds in phases.  But that has been the stated position of the United States government going back several months. 

Q    But is there any progress (inaudible)?

MR. SULLIVAN:  What I would just say is: The first thing that we need to do is get into the initial phase of the ceasefire and hostage deal; begin to produce the actual releases, the images of hostages being welcomed home to their families, as we saw a year ago with the 78 who were released.  And then, the terms of the deal are built on the idea that there will be ongoing discussions, diplomacy, negotiations to move from phase one to phase two.  So that’s an ongoing process that will continue. 

Final question.  Yeah.

Q    Thank you.  You have said before that you believe Prime Minister Netanyahu is willing to reach an agreement, and the defense minister has said yesterday it is possible; he told it to Secretary Austin.  How close are we?  And have you heard from Israeli officials that they will be willing to stop — to end the war if we will get all the hostages back?  And can you honestly say that, after 14 months, Prime Minister Netanyahu has done everything in his power to bring the hostages back home, and it’s not Hamas have been always the obstacle?

MR. SULLIVAN:  So I expected a question on kind of who’s responsible for this or for that, for the other thing.

I view my job and America’s duty as taking where we are today, which is close — I believe close — and bridging that final distance until we actually get into a deal. 

Again, I want to reinforce that we can’t rest until it actually happens.  It might not happen.  But I believe it can happen with political will on both sides.  The Israeli government has indicated, including the Prime Minister, they would like to see this done.  We see movement from Hamas.  We see commitment from the mediators.  And I will go to Doha and Cairo to try to ensure the final impetus is there to bring this all together. 

Beyond that, I’m not going to characterize the state of play, other than to say the reason that we are so determined to do this is, at one level, fundamentally human, which is to get people safely home to their families and to create calm for a period where suffering people in Gaza can get relief.  But it goes at another level, deeply strategic.  We think it is in the American strategic interest, as well as in the strategic interest of Israel, to do this deal.  That’s true of the current administration.  It is true of the incoming administration.  It is true across the aisle in the United States.  And that’s why we’re going to continue to work together to try to get this done. 

Thank you all very much.

5:53 P.M. IST

The post Remarks by APNSA Jake Sullivan in Press Conference | Tel Aviv, Israel appeared first on The White House.

Tel Aviv, Israel

5:23 P.M. IST

MR. SULLIVAN:  Good afternoon, everyone.  I want to start by taking a moment to reflect on the last year and take stock of where we are.  This is my seventh time visiting Israel as National Security Advisor.  I was here on October 18th of last year when I joined President Biden to send a strong signal of support to the Israeli people following the horrific terrorist massacres by Hamas on October 7th.

President Biden believed at the time it was important to come to Israel shortly after those attacks, becoming the first American President to visit Israel in a time of war, because he wanted the people of Israel and also the people of the world to see that the United States would stand with Israel in its time of need. 

A year after that trip, I was with the President in the Situation Room, where, for the second time in a period of five months, President Biden ordered the U.S. military to take direct action to defend Israel from a significant attack launched by Iran.  Side by side, U.S. Naval destroyers joined Israeli air defense to intercept a rainfall of inbound missiles, ballistic missiles fired directly from Iran. 

Over the past 15 months, we’ve remained vigilant to the further threats and attacks from Iran and its proxies, including Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis. 

People seem to forget the basic fact of this conflict and these past 15 months: Israel did not seek or start this war.  Hamas started this war, invading Israel in military formations, killing 1,200 people, kidnapping and holding hostage hundreds more — Israeli citizens and citizens from around the world. 

Iran then made a fateful choice to join in and open a multifront war against Israel.  Backed by the ironclad security partnership with the United States, Israel has defeated two direct attacks from Iran and directly struck into Iran in response, degrading Iran’s military capability.

Hezbollah’s leaders are gone, and we have concluded a ceasefire in Lebanon, the terms of which made clear that Hezbollah can never again rebuild its terror infrastructure to threaten Israel. 

Hamas’s leaders are gone, including the masterminds of October 7th, and we will make sure that Hamas can never again threaten Israel as they did on October 7th, ever.

And now, the Assad regime in Syria is gone, removing the primary client state of Iran in the region and the lifeline to Hezbollah.

When Joe Biden said to those who seek to take advantage of October 7th and to use that tragic day to threaten and attack Israel, “Don’t,” this is what he meant, and we still mean it.  Don’t. 

The balance of power in the Middle East has changed significantly and not in the way that Sinwar or Nasrallah or Iran had planned. 

We are now faced with a dramatically reshaped Middle East in which Israel is stronger, Iran is weaker, its proxies decimated, and a ceasefire that is new and will be lasting in Lebanon that ensures Israel’s security over the long term. 

The purpose of my visit today has been to continue to build on this progress to ensure that that ceasefire sticks and is fully enforced; to capitalize on the opportunity of the fall of Assad for a better future for the people of Syria while vigilantly managing the risks that come with the change in Syria, including the possibility and the risk that terrorist groups like ISIS are able to take advantage and create new threats against the United States, Israel, and other countries in the region and around the world; to continue pressure on Iran while remaining vigilant against the continuing threat from Iran, including the threat from its nuclear program.  And President Biden remains committed to the simple proposition that the United States of America will never permit Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon.

And to build on all that we’ve done, we’re now looking to close a hostage release deal and a ceasefire, which would stop the war and reunite hostages with their families. 

Just over one year ago, we reached a deal that brought 78 hostages out of Gaza and home to their families.  It’s time to finish the job and bring all of the hostages home. 

Before departing Washington, I once again met with the families of the American hostages still held in Gaza.  I made a commitment to them, the same commitment that I’ve made every time I’ve met with them: that I will do everything in my power to try to bring their loved ones home, to do my best to help them see their loved ones again.  I had them in mind today when I met with Prime Minister Netanyahu, Minister Dermer, and the security team to try to bring us closer to a deal.  And from here, I plan to travel to Doha and then on to Cairo to continue to advance this effort. 

A ceasefire and hostage deal would start bringing those hostages home.  It would also allow for a massive surge in humanitarian assistance.  We discussed the humanitarian situation and the suffering of Palestinian civilians in Gaza today.  We discussed recent steps taken to increase the flow of much-needed assistance and further steps that need to be taken in the days ahead. 

It is an American commandment and a Jewish commandment that every innocent life has value.  I have previously quoted a poem that means a great deal to my family, a poem from John Donne, which says, “Any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind.”  That is the spirit that the United States has brought to this conflict — to stand up strongly in the defense of the State of Israel and try to reduce suffering of innocent people wherever they may be. 

We are now in the midst of a political transition.  I have been engaging my successor, the incoming National Security Advisor, in a professional and serious way on all of the issues that affect the State of Israel, the threats and the opportunities.  And we’ve had good discussions, constructive and substantive discussions, and those will continue to ensure that there is a smooth handoff on January 20th. 

There’s also something else important in those discussions, which is that it is my personal commitment to ensure that the U.S.-Israel partnership rests on a solid bipartisan foundation going forward.  And I’m going to continue to do everything I can to contribute to that, because I believe it is in my country’s interest and the interest of the State of Israel. 

So, thank you for bearing with me as I set the context for my visit today, report on some of the things we discussed and the current events, and I will be happy to take your questions. 

Yeah.

Q    Michelle Kelemen with NPR.

MR. SULLIVAN:  Hi, Michelle.

Q    Do you get the sense that Netanyahu is waiting for Trump to reach a hostage deal?  And if so, do you think the hostages can survive until then?

MR. SULLIVAN:  I believe that every day brings increasing risk, which is why there’s such urgency to try to get this deal.  Obviously, we’ve seen the tragic death of hostages since the massacres of October 7th and over the course of the past 15-months conflict. 

So as soon as we can close this deal, we should close this deal in the interest of bringing those hostages home. 

The answer to your first question is: No, I do not get that sense.  I got the sense today from the Prime Minister he’s ready to do a deal.  And when I go to Doha and Cairo, my goal will be to put us in a position to be able to close this deal this month, not later. 

Now, we’ve been close before and haven’t gotten there, so I can’t make any promises or predictions to you, but I wouldn’t be here today if I thought this thing was just waiting until after January 20th.  I am here today because I believe every day matters, and we are going to use every day we have to try to close the deal as soon as we possibly can.

Yeah.

Q    Thanks, Jake.  Jake, what new concessions have Israel and Hamas made or indicated that they are prepared to make? We’ve seen, in particular, reports that Hamas is willing to allow Israeli troops to remain along Netzarim and Philadelphi for longer than previously.  Can you confirm that Hamas has provided a list of hostages who they would release?

And then, just on Syria as well, if you could comment.  The Israeli military has conducted nearly 500 strikes in recent days on Syrian military assets, not only chemical weapons depots but also missiles, helicopters, things that presumably a new Syrian army would need in the future to maintain stability inside of Syria.  Are you at all concerned about the impact of those Israeli strikes?  And did the Prime Minister provide you with any assurances about how long these strikes will continue for, if indeed they will?

MR. SULLIVAN:  So, on your first question, I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I can’t negotiate in public on the terms of the hostage deal.  I’ll leave the details where they belong, which is behind closed doors among the parties and the mediators.  And as soon as we come to something that is an agreed document to bring forward, we will bring it forward and you can see all of its terms. 

With respect to Syria, what Israel is doing is trying to identify potential threats, both conventional and weapons of mass destruction, that could threaten Israel and, frankly, threaten others as well, and neutralize those threats.  That is part of its effort to protect the country in the midst of a very fluid situation.

We are in deep consultations with the Israeli government about where this goes from here, what that will look like in the days and weeks ahead.  I’m going to leave it at that for now.  But the efforts taken to date really have been focused on the types of capabilities that could represent a genuine threat to the State of Israel. 

Yeah. 

Q    Hi.  Thank you so much.  Owen Alterman from i24NEWS. Two questions that are related. 

First of all, we’ve seen reports in the last few days of American-backed Kurdish troops that have been shooting at and been shot by Turkish-backed troops in northeastern Syria.  What are the red lines of Turkish involvement in that part of the country from the perspective of the administration?

And the second question: There’s concern in Israel that Turkish activity in Syria could ultimately, in the medium term even, be hostile to us and be hostile activities up to and including on our border.  What kind of assurances can you give the Israeli public that that scenario won’t materialize?

MR. SULLIVAN:  So, first, our commitment to our partnership with the Syrian Kurds, especially the Syrian Democratic Forces, is deep and resolute.  And that commitment exists because we are in a partnership with them to fight ISIS.  And they have been very capable counterterrorism partners not just in suppressing the threat from ISIS, but also in holding ISIS terrorists in large numbers in detention facilities in eastern Syria.  And we want to make sure that that ongoing work is not disturbed. 

Second, our own commitment to the continued defeat — work to defeat ISIS has just been renewed in a quite vigorous way over the weekend with a series of strikes on ISIS personnel and facilities in the central Syrian Desert, dozens and dozens of targets that we hit with real, intense American capability, B-52s.  And what we are saying with that strike is we are going to continue to hit any ISIS threat where we find it, and we’re going to work with our partners to do so. 

I have learned, maybe both the easy way and the hard way, not to speak about red lines in this part of the world publicly, so I do not intend to do so from this podium.  But I do want to just make the point that we are engaged both in consultations with our Kurdish partners.  In fact, General Kurilla was just recently very deeply in conversation with our Kurdish partners.  And we are in conversations with Turkey as well about our expectations and about what we see as the best way forward. 

I think those conversations are serious, they’re intense, they’re ongoing.  They have already produced some results, including this de-escalation around Manbij that both Turkey and the Kurds have kind of informally signed up to.  All of that is tenuous.  It is fragile.  It is something that is going to require ongoing work and cultivation, and it is something that we will be very vigilant to as a top priority going forward.  But beyond that, I cannot comment further today.

Q    What about assurances did Israel (inaudible) about Turkish activity in Syria (inaudible)?

MR. SULLIVAN:  So, we look at the situation in Syria as having a range of different risks presented, including the potential for fracture in that state, as well as power vacuums that can give rise to terrorist groups that can threaten beyond borders, as well as the potential for groups to be in charge in Damascus who bear hostile intent to outside forces, including to neighbors like Israel. 

All of those are possibilities.  All of those are risks that President Biden has spoken to publicly and that we are dealing with partners on privately, including dealing with the Turks, who do have some measure of influence here, and where we have set out our views and expectations. 

But again, given the nature of the situation, given the sensitivity, given the urgency, it’s important, I think, for us to be able to carry out those conversations behind closed doors as we make progress, and then we will share with you the results. 

Yeah.

Q    Jake, Raf Sanchez from NBC News.  I know you’re not going to negotiate in public here, but there does seem to be more flexibility from both Israel and Hamas right now.  What do you attribute that to?  Is it the killing of Sinwar?  Is it the weakening of Hezbollah?  Is it President-elect Trump injecting urgency into this?

And just on Syria, the Israeli government is saying its presence in the buffer zone and outside of it, inside Syria itself, is temporary.  Do you believe them that it’s temporary?  Did the Prime Minister give you a sense of what conditions would need to be met before Israel would withdraw?

MR. SULLIVAN:  We didn’t go into deep detail on the conditions, other than to say that those conditions would require Israel to feel that the kinds of understandings that were in place before the fall of the Assad regime to ensure stability, predictability, and security for Israel are put back into place. 

And, yes, we do have every expectation that it will be temporary.  The Prime Minister, the Israeli government have made that point not just to the United States, but have made that point publicly, and we take them at their word that that is the intention here as we work through a new arrangement that can ensure that Israel is secure in light of the risks that have been laid out in previous questions. 

There are any number of reasons for why contexts change in negotiations, especially in a situation as fluid as this, but I would point out that Hamas’s posture at the negotiating table did adapt following the announcement of the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon.  Why is that?  It’s because, for months, we believe Hamas was waiting for lots of other actors and forces to come to their rescue, to come to their aid.  And when we got that ceasefire, it was clear that the northern front had been decoupled from Gaza.  And from that moment forward, we’ve had a different character to the negotiation, and we believe that it puts us in a position to be able to close this negotiation. 

It is also, of course, relevant that Israel’s ability to meet so many of its military objectives in Gaza is relevant to the negotiation too, including the elimination of the top leader, Sinwar; other authors of that October 7th massacre; and the dismantlement, the destruction of the organized military formations of Hamas. 

So these are relevant considerations that we think have put this onto a plane where it could get done.  Whether it does get done still depends on both sides ultimately signing on the proverbial dotted line. 

The last thing I will say with respect to the incoming administration is, actually, we’ve had, as I said in my opening comments, very good consultation and coordination with them, including on this issue, where we keep them apprised of how the negotiations are unfolding.  We talk to them about how we can send a common message that the United States, no matter who’s sitting in the Oval Office, no matter whose party is in charge, wants to see this ceasefire and hostage deal and see it now.  That is all part of the American contribution to an effort to ultimately produce an outcome here, and we’re going to keep working until we get it done. 

Yeah.

Q    Thank you, Mr. Sullivan.  (Inaudible), Channel 14.  Regarding the continuation of passage of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, knowing what we know now, that Hamas takes advantage of this aid and holds it as a leverage for its own rule, was it a mistake by your administration to push Israel to maintain the transport of humanitarian aid and, by that, to strengthen Hamas?

MR. SULLIVAN:  It absolutely was not a mistake for the United States to seek to ensure that women and children and innocent people in Gaza, who have nothing to do with this fight but who, in fact, are being put in harm’s way by the way Hamas fights — using schools and mosques as terror infrastructure, hiding behind civilians, making it that much more difficult for Israel to carry the fight against Hamas and destroy its capabilities — those people deserve the basic sustenance of life.  They deserve food, water, medicine, sanitation. 

And, by the way, that’s not just an American position; that’s a requirement under international humanitarian law.  And it is also the position of this Israeli government, who is not standing up saying we should give no humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza.  They’re saying something different.

Now, we have viewed various critical points over the course of the past 15 months as moments where not enough was getting in to ensure that people had what they needed to survive.  And we made no bones about pressing on that.  Because we think, at the end of the day, feeding starving children does not harm the security of the State of Israel, but it does vindicate our common shared values of humanity. 

And so, as I said in my remarks, the American commandment, the Jewish commandment that every innocent life has value, that is a present factor and it’s something we have to take seriously, even as we take seriously that Israel has every right — indeed a duty — to go after its enemies with everything it’s got.  You have done that, and we have backed you in going after your enemies, Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran itself.  We have helped defend you against attacks, including from Iran itself.  And we have also stood up to say: Let’s make sure that Israel is not responsible for the third famine of the 21st century. 

We think that that is the right way to pursue a principled and just and strong, robust policy, and we will continue to do that as long as we’re in office. 

Yeah. 

Q    (Inaudible) Jewish Insider.  Do you have any update on the three Americans who are still believed to be alive?

MR. SULLIVAN:  I only can tell you that we have received the tragic news about the passing of Gadi and Judi and Itay and Omer all on October 7th, and of course, the godawful killing of Hersh during the course of this conflict.

We believe the other three Americans are alive.  We don’t have a proof of life from such a short time ago that I can tell you that for certain, but we believe that they are.  And of course, we saw the video of Edan Alexander. 

So we are operating on the proposition that there are seven Americans being held in Gaza currently — three of them alive, four of them deceased — and we want to bring all seven of them home. 

Yeah.

Q    Thank you.  Itamar (inaudible) from (inaudible).  I wanted to ask you if there is a linkage between the hostage deal and the ceasefire deal and the normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia.  Is it realistic to bring about a deal, a normalization deal, before January 20?

MR. SULLIVAN:  These are not linked.  The ceasefire and hostage deal is something we are pursuing on its own, because it is, we believe, a humanitarian imperative to bring the hostages home, and it is in the strategic interests of the State of Israel because all of its interests, its core interests, are protected in that deal.  We also believe it’s in the interest of the Palestinian people because it will allow for this surge in humanitarian assistance. 

So we are pushing for that deal on its own terms, for its own purposes, because we want to follow through on our commitment to do everything possible to get the hostages home.  So, there is no link there. 

Of course, we continue to believe in a long-term vision for the region of normalization and integration, and the President has laid that out.  And everything we do, we want to point in that direction.  But I don’t have any updates for you today on the question of normalization. 

Yeah.

Q    Thank you.  Gil Tamari, Channel 13 Israel.  I would like to follow up on one of my colleague’s questions.  The Prime Minister said today that Israel will continue to hold the territory in the buffer zone until there will be a governed force in Syria that will be able to oblige to the 1974 agreement.  And as you may know, this might take years.  So I would like to know if the United States is satisfied with the long-term Israeli position of — possession of the buffer zone. 

And also, is the G7 statement relay also to Israel when talking about the territory of Syria? 

And I know you cannot take us into the negotiation regarding the hostage, but can you give us the feeling?  What makes you this time a little bit more optimistic?  I know you hate to use the word “hopeful,” but what makes you this time a little bit more optimistic?

MR. SULLIVAN:  So, first, on the question of Israel’s move into that border zone in Syria: This is a fluid situation.  Fast-moving.  I would submit that everyone in this room, both sitting in these chairs and behind the cameras, was not thinking about the fall of Assad one month ago.  So that’s how fast things are moving. 

What Israel saw was an immediate threat, the collapse of a structure that had been in place for a long time and the potential for that vacuum to be filled by a direct, proximate threat right across its border.  So it moved in to fill that threat.  That, from the United States’ perspective, is logical and consistent with Israel’s right to self-defense. 

How this plays from here: We are a few days into this, so we will stay in close consultation with our Israeli partners, as well as with stakeholders in Syria, as well as with stakeholders across the region, and we will develop and elaborate a perspective on the best way forward in a coordinated way. 

And I just can’t sit here today and begin projecting out years into the future, given that just days ago, Assad still sat in Damascus. 

With respect to why there is more optimism in the air, shall we say, I think it’s partly for the reason that I laid out, which is: I do believe the ceasefire in Lebanon has generated a different context.  I actually believe that the loss of Iran’s client state in Syria has contributed to that different context.  Israel’s military progress against Hamas’s infrastructure formations and senior leaders has contributed to that context.  So, the surround sound of these negotiations is different today than it has been in the past. 

And then, the other point is that the people involved in these negotiations seem to me to have a little bit of a different feel about things than they did before.  That’s less measurable but I think still present.  And so —

Q    (Inaudible) not negotiating directly with Hamas.

MR. SULLIVAN:  No, I’m not referring to the Prime Minister.  I’m not referring to the Prime Minister. 

So those are the reasons why.  But, look, we have been in a place before where American officials have stood before podiums and said we are close, and we were close but we didn’t get there.  I believe we are close again.  Will we get there?  It is not yet clear whether we will or we won’t, but we are determined to try to drive this across the finish line. 

I’ll take two more questions.  Yeah. 

Q    So as we get ready — Maayan Hoffman from The Media Line.  As we get ready to, potentially, as you said, optimistically sign some kind of ceasefire or hostage deal, that would be, presumably, with Hamas.  And ultimately, the goal was to eradicate Hamas, to move them politically out of ruling Gaza.  As we sign the ceasefire, is there any indication or vision for Hamas continuing, therefore, to rule Gaza in some perspective, or do you have a vision of somebody else taking over in the interim?

MR. SULLIVAN:  So if you go back to President Biden’s speech in late May, laying out the terms of a phased ceasefire and hostage deal, the basic elements of and the basic framework of that deal are still live and part of the discussions that are happening today. 

In that speech, he said that this is a roadmap to end the war, and it’s a roadmap to a future of Gaza without Hamas in power.  Now, there’s a lot of steps between here and there, which is why a deal like this proceeds in phases.  But that has been the stated position of the United States government going back several months. 

Q    But is there any progress (inaudible)?

MR. SULLIVAN:  What I would just say is: The first thing that we need to do is get into the initial phase of the ceasefire and hostage deal; begin to produce the actual releases, the images of hostages being welcomed home to their families, as we saw a year ago with the 78 who were released.  And then, the terms of the deal are built on the idea that there will be ongoing discussions, diplomacy, negotiations to move from phase one to phase two.  So that’s an ongoing process that will continue. 

Final question.  Yeah.

Q    Thank you.  You have said before that you believe Prime Minister Netanyahu is willing to reach an agreement, and the defense minister has said yesterday it is possible; he told it to Secretary Austin.  How close are we?  And have you heard from Israeli officials that they will be willing to stop — to end the war if we will get all the hostages back?  And can you honestly say that, after 14 months, Prime Minister Netanyahu has done everything in his power to bring the hostages back home, and it’s not Hamas have been always the obstacle?

MR. SULLIVAN:  So I expected a question on kind of who’s responsible for this or for that, for the other thing.

I view my job and America’s duty as taking where we are today, which is close — I believe close — and bridging that final distance until we actually get into a deal. 

Again, I want to reinforce that we can’t rest until it actually happens.  It might not happen.  But I believe it can happen with political will on both sides.  The Israeli government has indicated, including the Prime Minister, they would like to see this done.  We see movement from Hamas.  We see commitment from the mediators.  And I will go to Doha and Cairo to try to ensure the final impetus is there to bring this all together. 

Beyond that, I’m not going to characterize the state of play, other than to say the reason that we are so determined to do this is, at one level, fundamentally human, which is to get people safely home to their families and to create calm for a period where suffering people in Gaza can get relief.  But it goes at another level, deeply strategic.  We think it is in the American strategic interest, as well as in the strategic interest of Israel, to do this deal.  That’s true of the current administration.  It is true of the incoming administration.  It is true across the aisle in the United States.  And that’s why we’re going to continue to work together to try to get this done. 

Thank you all very much.

5:53 P.M. IST

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On Thursday, December 12, 2024, the President signed into law:

H.R. 1432, the “VSO Equal Tax Treatment Act” or the “VETT Act,” which amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for the deductibility of charitable contributions to certain organizations for members of the Armed Forces.

Thank you to Representatives Wenstrup and Panetta, and Senators Cassidy and Duckworth for their leadership.

H.R. 3821, the “Firefighter Cancer Registry Reauthorization Act of 2023,” which reauthorizes the Firefighter Cancer Registry Act of 2018.

Thank you to the late Representative Bill Pascrell, Representatives Fitzpatrick, Hoyer, and Bost, and Senators Klobuchar, Fischer, Tester, Rubio, and Brown for their leadership.

H.R. 5863, the “Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2023,” which provides tax relief with respect to certain Federal disasters.

Thank you to Representatives Steube, LaMalfa, and Mike Thompson, and Senators Cassidy, Butler, and Padilla for their leadership.

S. 91, the “Forgotten Heroes of the Holocaust Congressional Gold Medal Act,” which awards a Congressional Gold Medal collectively to 60 diplomats, in recognition of their bravery and heroism during the Holocaust.

Thank you to Senators Hagerty and Kaine, and Representatives Salazar and Ritchie Torres for their leadership.

S. 4243, the “Shirley Chisholm Congressional Gold Medal Act,” which awards posthumously the Congressional Gold Medal to Shirley Chisholm.

Thank you to Senators Butler and Warnock, and Representatives Barbara Lee, Jeffries, Waters, Clarke, and Donalds for their leadership.

The post Press Release: Bills Signed: H.R. 1432, H.R. 3821, H.R. 5863, S. 91, S. 4243 appeared first on The White House.

On Thursday, December 12, 2024, the President signed into law:

H.R. 1432, the “VSO Equal Tax Treatment Act” or the “VETT Act,” which amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for the deductibility of charitable contributions to certain organizations for members of the Armed Forces.

Thank you to Representatives Wenstrup and Panetta, and Senators Cassidy and Duckworth for their leadership.

H.R. 3821, the “Firefighter Cancer Registry Reauthorization Act of 2023,” which reauthorizes the Firefighter Cancer Registry Act of 2018.

Thank you to the late Representative Bill Pascrell, Representatives Fitzpatrick, Hoyer, and Bost, and Senators Klobuchar, Fischer, Tester, Rubio, and Brown for their leadership.

H.R. 5863, the “Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2023,” which provides tax relief with respect to certain Federal disasters.

Thank you to Representatives Steube, LaMalfa, and Mike Thompson, and Senators Cassidy, Butler, and Padilla for their leadership.

S. 91, the “Forgotten Heroes of the Holocaust Congressional Gold Medal Act,” which awards a Congressional Gold Medal collectively to 60 diplomats, in recognition of their bravery and heroism during the Holocaust.

Thank you to Senators Hagerty and Kaine, and Representatives Salazar and Ritchie Torres for their leadership.

S. 4243, the “Shirley Chisholm Congressional Gold Medal Act,” which awards posthumously the Congressional Gold Medal to Shirley Chisholm.

Thank you to Senators Butler and Warnock, and Representatives Barbara Lee, Jeffries, Waters, Clarke, and Donalds for their leadership.

The post Press Release: Bills Signed: H.R. 1432, H.R. 3821, H.R. 5863, S. 91, S. 4243 appeared first on The White House.

WITHDRAWAL SENT TO THE SENATE:

     Ryan Young Park, of North Carolina, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Fourth Circuit, vice James A. Wynn, Jr., retiring, which was sent to the Senate on July 8, 2024.

# # #

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WITHDRAWAL SENT TO THE SENATE:

     Ryan Young Park, of North Carolina, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Fourth Circuit, vice James A. Wynn, Jr., retiring, which was sent to the Senate on July 8, 2024.

# # #

The post Press Release: Withdrawal Sent to the Senate appeared first on The White House.

We, the leaders of the Group of Seven (G7), reaffirm our commitment to the people of Syria, and lend our full support for an inclusive Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political transition process in the spirit of the principles of UN Security Council Resolution 2254. We call on all parties to preserve Syria’s territorial integrity and national unity, and respect its independence and sovereignty.

We reiterate our support for the UN Disengagement Observer Force monitoring the Golan Heights between Israel and Syria.

We stand ready to support a transition process under this framework that leads to credible, inclusive, and non-sectarian governance that ensures respect for the rule of law, universal human rights, including women’s rights, the protection of all Syrians, including religious and ethnic minorities, transparency and accountability.

The G7 will work with and fully support a future Syrian government that abides by those standards and results from that process.

Furthermore, we emphasize the importance of holding the Assad regime accountable for its crimes and will continue to work with the OPCW and other partners to secure, declare and destroy Syria’s remaining chemical weapons stockpiles.

After decades of atrocities committed by the Assad regime, we stand with the people of Syria.

We denounce terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms. We are hopeful that anyone seeking a role in governing Syria will demonstrate a commitment to the rights of all Syrians, prevent the collapse of state institutions, work on the recovery and rehabilitation of the country, and ensure the conditions for safe and dignified voluntary return to Syria of all those who were forced to flee the country.

###

The post G7 Leaders’ statement on Syria appeared first on The White House.

We, the leaders of the Group of Seven (G7), reaffirm our commitment to the people of Syria, and lend our full support for an inclusive Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political transition process in the spirit of the principles of UN Security Council Resolution 2254. We call on all parties to preserve Syria’s territorial integrity and national unity, and respect its independence and sovereignty.

We reiterate our support for the UN Disengagement Observer Force monitoring the Golan Heights between Israel and Syria.

We stand ready to support a transition process under this framework that leads to credible, inclusive, and non-sectarian governance that ensures respect for the rule of law, universal human rights, including women’s rights, the protection of all Syrians, including religious and ethnic minorities, transparency and accountability.

The G7 will work with and fully support a future Syrian government that abides by those standards and results from that process.

Furthermore, we emphasize the importance of holding the Assad regime accountable for its crimes and will continue to work with the OPCW and other partners to secure, declare and destroy Syria’s remaining chemical weapons stockpiles.

After decades of atrocities committed by the Assad regime, we stand with the people of Syria.

We denounce terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms. We are hopeful that anyone seeking a role in governing Syria will demonstrate a commitment to the rights of all Syrians, prevent the collapse of state institutions, work on the recovery and rehabilitation of the country, and ensure the conditions for safe and dignified voluntary return to Syria of all those who were forced to flee the country.

###

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Thank you so much Janice, and hello AGU! It’s great to be back here with all of you.

We’re coming together at a crucial moment for the future of science…and the future of our planet.

We’ve just lived through a year defined by the climate crisis, in every corner of the world.

July 22nd was the hottest day in recorded history. 2024 will be the hottest year in recorded history.

Just this week, scientists reported that the Arctic tundra is now releasing more carbon into the atmosphere than it is absorbing.

The consequences of living on a rapidly warming planet are all around us…and not just in collapsing coral reefs and melting ice sheets…but in people’s lives.

This summer, the city of Phoenix experienced more than 113 straight days over 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

This fall, Hurricanes Helene and Milton slammed into the southeastern United States, killing hundreds and cutting off power and water in communities for weeks.

The worst drought in decades in southern Africa is putting 20 million children at risk of malnutrition and even starvation.

Wildfires and drought are ravaging the Amazon and the Pantanal, destroying Indigenous communities and burning up an area the size of Switzerland. I saw the impacts myself when I flew over the Brazilian Amazon with the President last month.

In September, supercharged Typhoon Yagi killed hundreds and caused $16 billion in damages from the Philippines to Myanmar.

Catastrophic floods in Spain poured a year’s worth of rain in a single day in October.

When all of these disasters are happening more frequently and with more intensity, we know something is terribly wrong with our planet. 

It’s the climate crisis. It’s caused by humans. And it’s very real—and the scientific community has been telling us so for more than fifty years.

Now is the moment when we have to go big and move forward on climate action—not backward.

But starting next month, we will again have a President whose relationship to climate change is captured by the words “hoax” and “drill baby drill.”

For those of us dedicated to climate action, the result of the U.S. election is obviously bitterly disappointing.

But while the United States federal government under Donald Trump may put climate action on the back burner, the work to build a clean energy economy and protect our planet is going to continue in our country with commitment and passion and belief.

The historic climate investments that President Biden and Vice President Harris have made over the past four years have a long tail…and will continue to make an impact on emissions and people’s lives for years to come.

At the center of their agenda is the Inflation Reduction Act, which made the largest investment in climate and clean energy in not only the history of the United States—but the history of the world.

More than two years after the law passed, we’ve largely implemented it.

Last week, we announced that federal agencies have now awarded more than $100 billion through the IRA—nearly 90 percent of the funding available to spend.

Even more importantly, the law has been government-enabled but private-sector led.

Treasury Department guidance is available on 21 out of 24 IRA tax credit provisions…which has provided clarity and certainty to the clean energy industry and unleashed a manufacturing and deployment boom.

And we will finalize guidance on clean hydrogen and the new technology-neutral clean electricity generation credits later this month.

Since President Biden took office, companies have announced about $450 billion in new clean energy investments.

We’ve seen more than 400,000 clean energy jobs created in that time.

And these projects will continue getting built and bringing new economic opportunity to communities of all stripes.

In fact, all of this economic activity has turned the Inflation Reduction Act from a law that no Republican voted for…to something that a growing number of Republicans are now defending.

According to Climate Power, 57 percent of the new clean energy jobs created since the Inflation Reduction Act passed are located in Congressional districts represented by Republicans.

Those jobs come from new clean energy projects totaling $286 billion in investment.

Republican governors, especially, know what that investment means for their constituents.

And earlier this year, 18 House Republicans wrote a letter to Speaker Mike Johnson urging him not to repeal the IRA’s energy tax credits.

The letter says, “a full repeal would create a worst-case scenario where we would have spent billions of taxpayer dollars and received next to nothing in return.”

It’s precisely because the IRA has staying power that I am confident that the United States will continue to reduce emissions – benefitting our own country and benefitting the world.

The economics of the clean energy transition have simply taken over.

New power generation is going to be clean.

The desire to build out next generation nuclear is still there and growing stronger.

Farmers and ranchers are reducing emissions and raising their incomes through more efficient and biologic fertilizers, biodigesters, and feed additives.

The hyperscalers are still committed to powering the future with clean energy, including safe, reliable nuclear energy.

The auto companies are still investing in electrification and hybridization.

All those trends are not going to be reversed.

Are we facing new headwinds? Absolutely.

But will we revert back to the energy system of the 1950s? No way.

As I’ve said before, this is not the end of our fight for a cleaner, safer planet—far from it.

This fight is bigger than one election, one political cycle, in one country.

Facts are still facts. Science is still science.

And that science is no doubt going to be under attack.

We need to work together to protect the scientific process…to ensure that scientists have the independence they need to maintain the highest degree of integrity…and to communicate that investing in fundamental research boosts America’s competitiveness and security.

AGU has a huge role to play in advocating for these protections and being a global beacon for scientific integrity and collaboration.

We’re counting on you—the world’s scientists—to keep telling us the truth about what’s happening to our planet and our communities.

Over the next four years, the impacts of climate change will only multiply.

Public awareness and public concern about this problem will only expand.

And the urgency to increase public and private investment in clean technologies will only grow.

Every single one of you has the agency to keep doing your work.

To make the connection to the climate crisis crystal clear.

And to communicate your findings to the public without fear or hesitation…not only here in the U.S. but around the world…because climate change transcends borders and so should climate science.

The American people, and the entire world, will need your talents and expertise to guide them through the next four years and then the next forty.

We owe all of you—and the entire scientific community—a debt of gratitude for the work you’ve already done…and the work you will continue to do.

And know that so many Americans…and the majority of people around the world…are going to have your back while you’re doing it.

A better future is still possible…one where every child breathes clean air and drinks clean water…one where every community benefits from growing, clean industries of the future…one where our kids and grandkids get to experience Earth’s natural beauty like we have.

We can still create that future…as long as we stay focused on it…as long as we work together…and as long as we hold our heads high while we’re doing it.

So let’s make it happen.

Thank you.

###

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MEMORANDUM FOR THE HEADS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES

SUBJECT:       Establishment of the China Censorship Monitor and Action Group


By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, and to monitor and address the effects of any efforts by the People’s Republic of China (PRC), either directly or through proxies, to censor or intimidate any United States person, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1.  Policy.  Consistent with section 5515(b) of the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (Public Law 117-263, 22 U.S.C. 3363(b)) (the “Act”), I am directing the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs and the Director of the National Economic Council to lead an interagency effort to oversee the development and execution of an integrated Federal Government strategy to monitor and address the effects of any efforts by the PRC to censor or intimidate, in the United States or in any of its possessions or territories, any United States person, including a United States company that conducts business in the PRC, exercising its freedom of speech.

Sec. 2.  Establishment.  There is established within the Executive Office of the President the China Censorship Monitor and Action Group (Task Force).

Sec. 3.  Membership.  (a)  The Task Force shall be chaired by the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, or his or her designee, and vice-chaired by the Director of the National Economic Council, or his or her designee.

(b)  In addition to the Chair and the Vice Chair, the Task Force shall consist of representatives from the following executive departments and agencies (agencies), the heads of which shall designate or appoint personnel at the level of Assistant Secretary or above to participate in the Task Force:
     (i)     the Department of State;

     (ii)    the Department of the Treasury;

     (iii)   the Department of Defense; 

     (iv)    the Department of Justice;

     (v)     the Department of Agriculture;

     (vi)    the Department of Commerce;

     (vii)   the Department of Education;

     (viii)  the Department of Homeland Security;

     (ix)    the Office of the Director of National Intelligence;

     (x)     the Office of the United States Trade Representative;

     (xi)    the Central Intelligence Agency;

     (xii)   the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and

     (xiii)  other agencies and offices as the President may, from time to time, designate.

Sec. 4.  Mission and Function.  The Task Force shall meet not less frequently than twice per year to oversee the development and execution of the integrated Federal Government strategy described in section 5515(b)(3)(A) of the Act (22 U.S.C. 3363(b)(3)(A)).  That strategy shall reflect the collective views of the members of the Task Force and shall be informed by consultations with agencies and independent agencies that are not represented on the Task Force; relevant stakeholders in the private sector and the media; and relevant stakeholders among foreign allies and partners of the United States.

Sec. 5.  Annual Report of the Task Force.  (a)  Within 120 days of the date of this memorandum, the Task Force shall submit to the President and the appropriate congressional committees, as defined in section 5515(a)(1) of the Act (22 U.S.C. 3363(a)(1)), the strategy described in section 5515(b)(3)(A) of the Act.

(b)  Within 180 days of the date of this memorandum, the Task Force shall submit to the President and the appropriate congressional committees, and make publicly available to the extent consistent with national security and other executive branch confidentiality interests, the first annual report described in section 5515(b)(6)(A)-(B) of the Act (22 U.S.C. 3363(b)(6)).

(c)  Within 1 year of submitting the first annual report described in subsection (b) of this section, and every year thereafter, the Task Force shall submit to the President and the appropriate congressional committees, and make publicly available to the extent consistent with national security and other executive branch confidentiality interests, the required follow-on annual reports described in section 5515(b)(6)(A)-(B) of the Act, until the requirement terminates as specified in section 5515(d) of the Act (22 U.S.C. 3363(d)).

Sec. 6.  Definition.  For purposes of this memorandum, the term “United States person” shall have the meaning provided in section 5515(a)(3) of the Act (22 U.S.C. 3363(a)(3)).

Sec. 7.  General Provisions.  (a)  Nothing in this memorandum shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i)   the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or

(ii)  the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(b)  This memorandum shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

(c)  This memorandum is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

(d)  The Attorney General is authorized and directed to publish this memorandum in the Federal Register.

                             JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

The post Memorandum on the Establishment of the China Censorship Monitor and Action Group appeared first on The White House.

MEMORANDUM FOR THE HEADS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES

SUBJECT:       Establishment of the China Censorship Monitor and Action Group


By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, and to monitor and address the effects of any efforts by the People’s Republic of China (PRC), either directly or through proxies, to censor or intimidate any United States person, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1.  Policy.  Consistent with section 5515(b) of the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (Public Law 117-263, 22 U.S.C. 3363(b)) (the “Act”), I am directing the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs and the Director of the National Economic Council to lead an interagency effort to oversee the development and execution of an integrated Federal Government strategy to monitor and address the effects of any efforts by the PRC to censor or intimidate, in the United States or in any of its possessions or territories, any United States person, including a United States company that conducts business in the PRC, exercising its freedom of speech.

Sec. 2.  Establishment.  There is established within the Executive Office of the President the China Censorship Monitor and Action Group (Task Force).

Sec. 3.  Membership.  (a)  The Task Force shall be chaired by the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, or his or her designee, and vice-chaired by the Director of the National Economic Council, or his or her designee.

(b)  In addition to the Chair and the Vice Chair, the Task Force shall consist of representatives from the following executive departments and agencies (agencies), the heads of which shall designate or appoint personnel at the level of Assistant Secretary or above to participate in the Task Force:
     (i)     the Department of State;

     (ii)    the Department of the Treasury;

     (iii)   the Department of Defense; 

     (iv)    the Department of Justice;

     (v)     the Department of Agriculture;

     (vi)    the Department of Commerce;

     (vii)   the Department of Education;

     (viii)  the Department of Homeland Security;

     (ix)    the Office of the Director of National Intelligence;

     (x)     the Office of the United States Trade Representative;

     (xi)    the Central Intelligence Agency;

     (xii)   the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and

     (xiii)  other agencies and offices as the President may, from time to time, designate.

Sec. 4.  Mission and Function.  The Task Force shall meet not less frequently than twice per year to oversee the development and execution of the integrated Federal Government strategy described in section 5515(b)(3)(A) of the Act (22 U.S.C. 3363(b)(3)(A)).  That strategy shall reflect the collective views of the members of the Task Force and shall be informed by consultations with agencies and independent agencies that are not represented on the Task Force; relevant stakeholders in the private sector and the media; and relevant stakeholders among foreign allies and partners of the United States.

Sec. 5.  Annual Report of the Task Force.  (a)  Within 120 days of the date of this memorandum, the Task Force shall submit to the President and the appropriate congressional committees, as defined in section 5515(a)(1) of the Act (22 U.S.C. 3363(a)(1)), the strategy described in section 5515(b)(3)(A) of the Act.

(b)  Within 180 days of the date of this memorandum, the Task Force shall submit to the President and the appropriate congressional committees, and make publicly available to the extent consistent with national security and other executive branch confidentiality interests, the first annual report described in section 5515(b)(6)(A)-(B) of the Act (22 U.S.C. 3363(b)(6)).

(c)  Within 1 year of submitting the first annual report described in subsection (b) of this section, and every year thereafter, the Task Force shall submit to the President and the appropriate congressional committees, and make publicly available to the extent consistent with national security and other executive branch confidentiality interests, the required follow-on annual reports described in section 5515(b)(6)(A)-(B) of the Act, until the requirement terminates as specified in section 5515(d) of the Act (22 U.S.C. 3363(d)).

Sec. 6.  Definition.  For purposes of this memorandum, the term “United States person” shall have the meaning provided in section 5515(a)(3) of the Act (22 U.S.C. 3363(a)(3)).

Sec. 7.  General Provisions.  (a)  Nothing in this memorandum shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i)   the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or

(ii)  the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(b)  This memorandum shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

(c)  This memorandum is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

(d)  The Attorney General is authorized and directed to publish this memorandum in the Federal Register.

                             JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

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MEMORANDUM FOR THE HEADS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES

SUBJECT:       Establishment of the Countering Economic Coercion Task Force

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, and to improve efforts to respond to coercive economic practices of countries of concern, including the People’s Republic of China (PRC), it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1.  Policy.  Consistent with section 5514 of the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (Public Law 117-263, 22 U.S.C. 3362) (the “Act”), I am directing the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs and the Director of the National Economic Council to oversee an interagency effort to address the increasing use of economic coercion by countries of concern, including the PRC; to assess potential vulnerabilities of countries, including within their private sectors, to such coercion; and to develop concrete recommendations for a comprehensive, effective, and, as appropriate, multilateral response, including to deter future coercive economic behavior.

Sec. 2.  Establishment.  There is established within the Executive Office of the President the Countering Economic Coercion Task Force (Task Force).

Sec. 3.  Membership.  (a)  The Task Force shall be chaired by the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, or his or her designee, and vice-chaired by the Director of the National Economic Council, or his or her designee.

(b)  In addition to the Chair and the Vice Chair, the Task Force shall consist of representatives from the following executive departments and agencies (agencies), the heads of which shall designate or appoint personnel at the level of Assistant Secretary or above to participate in the Task Force:

(i)      the Department of State;

(ii)     the Department of the Treasury;

(iii)    the Department of Defense; 

(iv)     the Department of Justice;

(v)      the Department of Agriculture;

(vi)     the Department of Commerce;

(vii)    the Department of Labor;

(viii)   the Department of Health and Human Services;

(ix)     the Department of Energy;

(x)      the Department of Homeland Security;

(xi)     the Office of the Director of National Intelligence;

(xii)    the Office of the United States Trade Representative;

(xiii)   the Central Intelligence Agency;

(xiv)    the United States Agency for International Development;

(xv)     the Export-Import Bank of the United States;

(xvi)    the Trade and Development Agency;

(xvii)   the United States International Development Finance Corporation; and

(xviii)  other agencies and offices as the President may, from time to time, designate.

Sec. 4.  Mission and Function.  The Task Force shall work across agencies and offices to oversee the development and implementation of an integrated United States Government strategy to respond to and deter coercive economic practices by countries of concern, including the PRC.  That strategy shall include the elements outlined in section 5514(c)(1)(A) of the Act (22 U.S.C. 3362(c)(1)(A)) and shall, consistent with section 5514(c)(2) of the Act (22 U.S.C. 3362(c)(2)), be informed by consultations with relevant stakeholders, including, as necessary and appropriate, stakeholders in the private sector, agencies that are not represented on the Task Force, and foreign allies and partners of the United States.  The Task Force shall also perform the other responsibilities set forth in section 5514(c)(1) of the Act (22 U.S.C. 3362(c)(1)).

Sec. 5.  Reporting on the Work and Recommendations of the Task Force.  (a)  Within 180 days of the date of this memorandum, the Task Force shall submit to the Congress the initial report described in section 5514(e)(1) of the Act (22 U.S.C. 3362(e)(1)).

(b)  Within 1 year of submitting the initial report described in subsection (a) of this section, the Task Force shall submit to the Congress the first interim report described in section 5514(e)(2)(A) of the Act (22 U.S.C. 3362(e)(2)(A)).

(c)  Within 1 year of submitting the first interim report described in subsection (b) of this section, the Task Force shall submit to the Congress the second interim report described in section 5514(e)(2)(B) of the Act (22 U.S.C. 3362(e)(2)(B)).

(d)  Within 30 days of submitting the second interim report described in subsection (c) of this section, the Task Force shall submit to the Congress the final report described in section 5514(e)(3) of the Act (22 U.S.C. 3362(e)(3)).

(e)  The Task Force shall also consolidate any input received and submit periodic recommendations to the President on policies and regulatory actions to address systemic harms from PRC economic coercion.

Sec. 6.  General Provisions.  (a)  Nothing in this memorandum shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i)   the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or

(ii)  the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(b)  This memorandum shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

(c)  This memorandum is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

(d)  The Attorney General is authorized and directed to publish this memorandum in the Federal Register.

                               JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

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