The below is attributable to Acting Spokesperson Pooja Jhunjhunwala:‎

On October 25, United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Deputy Administrator Bonnie Glick participated in meetings with officials of the Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to discuss expanding U.S. and Emirati development and humanitarian assistance cooperation. In other meetings led by U.S. Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Keith Krach, the U.S. and Emirati delegations discussed the countries’ economic relationship and the necessity to use trusted providers for digital infrastructure.

Under Secretary Krach and Deputy Glick’s visit comes at the conclusion of the first U.S.-UAE Strategic Dialogue, hosted by Secretary of State Pompeo during the week of October 19, 2020. 

While in the UAE, Deputy Administrator Glick delivered remarks to celebrate the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on development cooperation by U.S. Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates John Rakolta, Jr., and His Excellency Sultan Al-Shamsi, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the UAE. With this MOU, the United States opens an important channel to share priorities and exchange best practices with the UAE on development challenges in areas such as cultural preservation, food security, and energy. The MOU will strengthen the relationship and cooperation between USAID and the UAE as donors set the stage for work on select joint activities in the coming years.

Deputy Administrator Glick also had the opportunity to meet leaders of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development to discuss strategic development financing opportunities. The parties considered how to leverage the Abraham Accords into co-financing projects among the U.S., UAE, and Israel in fourth countries.

In addition to her discussions on development and assistance, Deputy Administrator Glick joined Under Secretary Krach for meetings with Chief of Staff to the National Security Advisor Ali Saeed Al-Neyadi, State Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Reem Al-Hashimi, and Chief Executive Officers of telecommunications companies to discuss the Clean Network and the importance of securing UAE’s 5G infrastructure.