USAID Host Signature Event and Opens New Partnership with Organization of Islamic Cooperation

USAID

U.S. Agency for International Development Administrator Gayle Smith hosted Shared Progress, USAID's signature event for the 71st United Nations General Assembly, in New York City. USAID

WASHINGTON - Today U.S. Agency for International Development Administrator Gayle Smith hosted Shared Progress, USAID's signature event for the 71st United Nations General Assembly, in New York City. Administrator Smith also signed a renewed partnership with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and announced new United States Government support for South Sudanese refugees.

Administrator Smith Leads Signature Event on Development Finance
On Thursday USAID hosted Shared Progress, an event on the future of financing global development in New York City. Administrator Smith joined a panel discussion with Christine Lagarde, the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund. They discussed new trends in financing for development, highlighted emerging challenges, and explored innovative ways people can work together - across borders and across sectors - to finance development and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

USAID and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Open New Partnership Phase
Today the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) renewed their commitment to strengthen cooperation on humanitarian assistance and to uphold humanitarian principles. USAID Administrator Gayle Smith and OIC Secretary General H.E. Iyad Ameen Madani signed a Memorandum of Understanding to mark a new phase of this partnership during a ceremony held in New York during the 71st United Nations General Assembly.

As the number of humanitarian emergencies continues to grow, this partnership reflects the need for greater cooperation among organizations that provide relief. The Memorandum of Understanding builds on original commitments made in 2012, which outlined a framework for cooperation that included mutual consultations and strategic dialogue, exchange of information, participation in disaster response and training, operational support and facilitation, and enhanced coordination. Since the original commitments were made, USAID and OIC have partnered to support trainings for humanitarian responders on best practices, in addition to co-hosting the Global Forum for Humanitarian Action in advance of this year's World Humanitarian Summit.

United States Announces Nearly $133 Million in New Assistance for South Sudanese Refugees
The United States today announced nearly $133 million in new humanitarian assistance for South Sudanese refugees, who now number over one million, as well as for internally displaced persons in South Sudan. This funding will also assist refugees who have fled to South Sudan, and others affected by the ongoing conflict. USAID Administrator Gayle Smith announced the additional funding at the "High Level Side Event on South Sudan" on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly in New York City. This additional funding brings the total U.S. humanitarian aid for the people of South Sudan to nearly $1.9 billion since the start of the conflict in December 2013.