Samantha Power, administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development, discusses USAID priorities, market distortion in African development, challenges to democracy, and the delicate balance between quantity and quality of aid.
USAID's priorities for the UNGA include addressing urgent needs like food security and investing in long-term resilience, as well as focusing on democracy delivering by supporting reformers and creating socio-economic gains in liberalizing countries.
The war in Ukraine has impacted the global food supply, leading to increased humanitarian needs. Russia's attacks on river ports pose new challenges, and their offer of free food to African nations distorts the market and undermines Ukraine's position as a grain supplier.
Deep dives
USAID's Priorities for the UNGA
USAID's main priorities for the UNGA include addressing urgent needs such as food security and investing in long-term resilience to prevent future crises. They are also focusing on democracy delivering by supporting reformers and creating socio-economic gains in countries that are liberalizing. Additionally, USAID is committed to addressing the climate crisis by working on early warning systems and engaging with countries to transition to renewable energy.
Impact of Ukraine's War on Global Food Supply
The war in Ukraine has had a significant impact on the global food supply, as Ukraine is a major producer of grain. When Russia blockaded the ports in the Black Sea, global food prices spiked, leading to increased humanitarian needs. To mitigate the effects, alternative routes were developed for transporting food. However, Russia's recent attacks on river ports pose new challenges. Russia is also taking advantage of the situation by offering free food to African nations, distorting the market and undermining Ukraine's position as a grain supplier.
Challenges and Efforts in Promoting Democracy
While democracy has been in decline worldwide, efforts to promote democracy continue. The US government, through USAID, is working to modernize its approach in supporting Democrats and reformers. This includes supporting transparency in large loans, protecting independent media, and utilizing new tools in the digital space. There is recognition of the challenges faced, such as polarization, surveillance technology, and debt distress. However, the focus is on delivering socio-economic gains for citizens and amplifying the positive stories of democratic reforms.
Samantha Power is a powerful voice in the Biden administration. She not only is the administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development, the country’s primary arm for international aid, but also sits on U.S. President Joe Biden’s National Security Council. How does Power think through which countries need U.S. aid the most, and how do decisions get made? Power joins Ravi Agrawal to discuss how this week’s United Nations General Assembly might move the needle on key initiatives.