State, USAID launch second QDDR

On April 22, the State Department announced the launch of its second Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review (QDDR). Several top representatives from State and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) spoke at the launch, including Secretary of State John Kerry, Deputy Secretary of State Heather Higginbottom, USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah, and Special Representative Tom Perriello.

The QDDR focuses on human rights, democracy, and civilian security, and recognizes the importance of engaging diplomats and development experts as well as other stakeholders, including NGOs. The first QDDR was launched in 2010 to review the diplomacy and development efforts of State and USAID, and outlined several reforms for the agencies. Some of the reforms suggested in the 2010 QDDR have already been implemented, while others are underway.

In his remarks at the launch, Special Representative for the QDDR Tom Perriello said “I know that diplomacy and development work because I’ve been blessed to witness it myself. Done right, diplomacy and development can prevent wars, it can reduce extreme poverty, it can transform the rights of girls, and advance transparency over corruption.”

Secretary of State John Kerry also shared his hopes for the future of diplomacy and development, saying “I want to see us advance diplomacy and advance development.” He continued, explaining the importance of the QDDR. “[The QDDR is] also a preview of what State and USAID need to do in order to put the United States of America in the strongest position to face the challenges and seize the opportunities of tomorrow.”

The review will take place over the next few months.

For more information about the launch of the second QDDR, please follow the link below.
Remarks at the Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review (QDDR) Launch, U.S. Department of State