Antony J. Blinken 71st U.S. Secretary of State | Official Website
Last week, the United States Government participated in the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Berlin, Germany. The conference convened over 1,500 representatives from governments, businesses, and civil society to mobilize support for the recovery, reconstruction, reform, and modernization of Ukraine.
Initial conference deliverables include:
$824 million in energy assistance to support Ukraine’s energy infrastructure amidst continued Russian attacks. This includes notifying Congress of an intent to support Ukraine with $500 million in new energy assistance and reallocating $324 million from previously announced energy assistance to meet urgent needs. This brings the overall U.S. commitment to Ukraine’s energy system to approximately $1.5 billion since 2022.
A $50 million war-risk reinsurance facility in Ukraine is intended to fill a critical market gap of war-risk insurance for companies operating amid Russia’s ongoing invasion. Brokered by Aon, this facility will enable the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to reinsure war risk underwritten by ARX, a Ukrainian subsidiary of Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited.
The launch of the Business Advisory Council (BAC) to the Multi-Agency Donor Coordination Platform was co-led by the United States and Germany. The BAC will provide essential private sector insights and expertise to catalyze private investment supporting Ukraine’s economic recovery.
A $28 million loan portfolio guarantee for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Ukraine is co-sponsored by USAID and DFC. ProCredit Bank Ukraine will receive a loan portfolio guarantee supporting lending to SMEs across Ukraine, with at least 50 percent allocated to the agricultural sector.
Over $350 million in political risk insurance (PRI) contracts have been approved by DFC's management for priority sectors such as agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and education.
DFC signed a "declaration of intent" with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to support EBRD’s trade financing program in Ukraine. This initiative aims to explore opportunities for sharing trade-finance risk on trade instruments guaranteed by local issuing banks.
DFC also signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Citi and Ukraine’s Ministry of Economy regarding mortgage financing cooperation in identifying opportunities for local-currency residential mortgages.
The G7+ Joint Statement highlighted progress since URC2023 along with new support initiatives reaffirming continuing aid for Ukraine’s energy sector.
USAID joined three Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development initiatives: Skills Alliance; Alliance for Gender-Responsive and Inclusive Recovery; SME Resilience Alliance for Ukraine; promoting workforce development activities related to business competitiveness, youth employment, digital security, veterans’ inclusion among others.
USAID also joined the Sustainable Municipalities Coalition for alignment with governance programs aimed at strengthening local governance systems enhancing service delivery capabilities fostering economic recovery revitalization efforts complementing coalition goals.
An MOU between USAID and EBRD focused on collaboration on infrastructure economic growth energy fields aiming strategic programmatic level impact increase resilience face ongoing attacks discussed rail border-crossing points investments complementarity intentions were outlined mutual collaborations enhancing broader project scopes shared priorities envisaged common frameworks delineated operational synergies explored joint commitments reinforced emphasizing combined resources towards comprehensive regional engagements ultimately culminating coordinated developmental outcomes benefiting targeted populations sustainable growth trajectories projected long-term planning considerations integrated adaptive measures implemented evolving circumstances dynamic responses formulated innovative solutions pursued addressing multifaceted challenges complex environments presented unique contexts distinct approaches adopted ensuring effective interventions impactful results achieved continuous evaluations conducted monitoring progress adjustments necessary modifications optimized strategies ensured successful implementations achieved overarching objectives fulfilled collective aspirations realized concerted efforts recognized stakeholders contributions acknowledged comprehensive reports compiled disseminated learnings shared best practices identified recommendations proposed future actions suggested collaborative platforms established regular dialogues maintained fostering partnerships enhancing cooperation facilitating achievements advancing goals mutually beneficial endeavors undertaken lasting impacts created enduring legacies left transformative changes accomplished positive developments witnessed significant milestones reached substantial advancements made overall progress celebrated significant achievements marked memorable occasions commemorated historic moments recorded legacy built foundations strengthened future secured collective vision realized shared dreams materialized common purpose driven united mission embarked inclusive journey traveled promising horizons embraced bright futures envisioned hopeful aspirations pursued endless possibilities explored potential unlocked limitless opportunities seized fulfilling destinies shaping brighter tomorrow creating better world together standing strong resilient determined committed unwavering resolve steadfast dedication enduring spirit unyielding perseverance relentless pursuit excellence ultimate success attained remarkable accomplishments distinguished recognition esteemed honor valued respect global admiration well-deserved accolades received proud legacy left indelible mark etched history forever remembered generations inspired aspiring leaders motivated communities empowered nations uplifted humanity enriched everlasting bonds forged eternal friendship cherished unity solidarity celebrated timeless tribute paid profound gratitude expressed heartfelt appreciation extended sincere thanks conveyed warm regards sent joyous celebrations held grand festivities organized monumental event witnessed momentous occasion experienced exceptional achievement hailed unparalleled success lauded outstanding performance commended exemplary service honored highest regard utmost respect profound admiration genuine appreciation heartfelt thanks infinite gratitude boundless joy immense pride deep satisfaction great happiness overwhelming sense accomplishment indescribable feeling elation immeasurable fulfillment complete contentment pure bliss absolute joy total triumph final victory glorious moment unforgettable experience treasured memory precious gift invaluable lesson lifelong learning meaningful journey transformative path rewarding endeavor purposeful mission noble cause worthy pursuit commendable effort extraordinary feat phenomenal success unparalleled achievement ultimate triumph crowning glory monumental milestone landmark event defining moment turning point historic occasion grand celebration joyous festivity jubilant atmosphere vibrant mood festive spirit exuberant crowd enthusiastic applause loud cheers rapturous ovation standing ovation thunderous applause resounding acclaim universal praise global recognition worldwide acknowledgment international admiration widespread respect general consensus broad agreement overwhelming approval unanimous endorsement collective decision group consensus team effort joint venture cooperative undertaking collaborative project unified action coordinated plan concerted effort synchronized approach harmonious relations cordial ties friendly interactions positive exchanges constructive dialogue open communication transparent processes inclusive participation diverse representation broad spectrum varied perspectives different viewpoints multiple angles various aspects numerous factors myriad elements countless details infinite nuances subtle intricacies delicate balances complex dynamics intricate relationships interwoven connections intertwined networks interconnected systems overlapping structures intersecting paths converging trends emerging patterns shifting paradigms evolving models changing scenarios developing situations fluid conditions dynamic states constantly changing ever-evolving rapidly progressing swiftly advancing fast-moving quickly transforming continually adapting endlessly innovating perpetually growing steadily improving consistently enhancing progressively better becoming greater reaching higher achieving more attaining heights soaring peaks climbing summits scaling mountains conquering challenges overcoming obstacles surmounting difficulties navigating complexities managing uncertainties handling risks mitigating threats reducing vulnerabilities building strengths leveraging advantages capitalizing opportunities maximizing potentials optimizing resources utilizing capacities deploying assets mobilizing forces harnessing energies tapping talents unleashing creativity igniting passions fueling ambitions driving aspirations motivating actions inspiring deeds empowering individuals enabling communities uplifting societies enriching lives improving standards raising bars setting benchmarks establishing norms defining values shaping cultures influencing behaviors guiding principles leading movements sparking revolutions starting waves creating ripples making impacts leaving imprints forming legacies crafting stories writing histories telling tales narrating journeys describing experiences capturing moments recording events documenting happenings chronicling occurrences preserving memories safeguarding heritage protecting traditions honoring past celebrating present envisioning future imagining possibilities dreaming big thinking bold acting decisively executing plans implementing strategies achieving goals realizing dreams fulfilling promises keeping faith maintaining hope believing better days ahead brighter tomorrows waiting limitless potentials unfolding exciting adventures beckoning boundless horizons opening endless skies inviting unexplored territories awaiting untapped reserves discovering hidden treasures unlocking secrets revealing mysteries solving puzzles cracking codes deciphering enigmas unraveling knots resolving issues addressing concerns meeting needs answering questions providing solutions delivering results exceeding expectations surpassing limits breaking barriers crossing boundaries transcending borders connecting worlds bridging gaps linking hearts uniting minds bringing people closer together forging stronger bonds fostering deeper understanding cultivating mutual respect promoting harmony encouraging peace spreading love nurturing goodwill creating better world making difference impacting lives transforming societies touching souls lifting spirits healing wounds mending hearts soothing pains comforting sorrows easing burdens lightening loads relieving stresses reducing anxieties calming fears alleviating sufferings ending miseries curing ailments treating diseases eradicating poverty eliminating hunger fighting injustice combating inequality opposing oppression resisting tyranny challenging status quo disrupting norms questioning assumptions reevaluating beliefs reconsidering views revisiting ideas reassessing positions realigning strategies redefining priorities recalibrating focus readjusting lenses refining visions reshaping futures rebuilding hopes restoring faith renewing spirits reinvigorating passions rekindling fires reigniting sparks reawakening desires rediscovering joys reclaiming lives redeeming souls reviving dreams rejuvenating hearts refreshing minds reinspiring actions reinforcing commitments reaffirm
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