The following is attributable to Spokesperson Clayton M. McCleskey:

United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Mark Green met on Thursday with The Honorable Kai Mykkänen, MP, Finland's Minister for Foreign Trade and Development. They discussed opportunities for increasing private-sector engagement and results-oriented, enterprise-driven development to support countries on their journey towards self-reliance.

The Administrator shared his impressions from his recent travel to Iraq and Syria, and he and Minister Mykkänen agreed on the importance of stabilization efforts that will enable people to return to their homes. Administrator Green commended Finland's recent announcement of increased humanitarian aid for Yemen and crisis-affected countries in Africa.

Administrator Green expressed his concern over human-rights abuses in parts of the developing world, and stressed the importance of supporting freedom of the press and citizen-responsive governance. He also reiterated USAID's commitment to implementing women's economic empowerment programs globally, and welcomed continued partnership with Finland and other donors in support of women and girls.