The following is attributable to Acting Spokesperson Clayton M. McCleskey:

United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Mark Green met today with Sir Suma Chakrabarti, President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Administrator Green praised the over two decades of collaboration between USAID and the EBRD. The Administrator also recognized the one-year anniversary of the USAID-EBRD Framework of Cooperation, through which the two institutions are working to strengthen cooperation and mutually support common values and priorities.

Administrator Green and Sir Suma voiced their shared anticipation of a joint initiative to connect the energy-transmission systems of the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, which will break ground in early 2018.

The Administrator and the EBRD President discussed opportunities for increased collaboration in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, including how best to combine USAID's technical expertise with EBRD's financing to maximize development impacts, especially in energy. They also discussed investments in clean energy and small- and medium-sized businesses. During the conversation, Administrator Green stressed the importance of investing in women-owned businesses, including through the new Women's Entrepreneurship Facility, for which the EBRD is an eligible implementing partner.