Engineering Inc - July/August 2019 - 16

infrastructure gap, we anticipate
that U.S. engineering and
construction firms will play an
increasingly important role in
the planning and preparation
of infrastructure investment
opportunities that will leverage
commercial financing to further
sectoral development goals and
advance self-reliance. As the
world becomes increasingly
urbanized, we will also rely on
U.S. engineering firms to help
us navigate the complexity of the
design and construction of urban
infrastructure systems.
ALEX DEHELEAN, USAID

ACEC: A key initiative of
this administration's foreign
policy in Asia has been the
Free and Open Indo-Pacific
Strategy, which President
Trump laid out during his
trip to Vietnam in 2017 and Vice President Pence
elaborated on during his visit to Asia in November
2018. How does USAID fit within this strategic
framework, and how is it contributing to achieving the
strategy's objectives?
Green: In Asia, USAID plays a key role in advancing the U.S.
government's Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS). America's vision for
a free and open Indo-Pacific region is one in which all nations
are sovereign, strong and prosperous. Together with our U.S.
government partners, and in coordination with like-minded
donor partners including Australia, Japan and the Republic
of Korea, USAID helps advance the IPS by strengthening
governance in areas critical to achieving this vision-primarily
in economic freedom, democratic citizen-responsive governance
and the sustainable management
of natural resources. By promot"USAID
ing open, transparent and rulescontinues to
based governance across Asia, the
IPS mitigates the influence of
see a large need
predatory players while unlockfor investment
ing an enterprise-driven future.
in the health,
Private capital, entrepreneurship,
education
open markets and the rule of law
are the forces that will improve
and water
lives, strengthen communities and
sectors, where
accelerate self-reliance.
advances in
Our work in economic freedom
sustainable local
helps to improve market competitiveness and level the playing field
infrastructure
for legitimate players. We play a
remain essential
leading role in U.S. government
to promoting
initiatives that address Asia's subself-reliance."
stantial infrastructure gap, with a
16

ENGINEERING INC.

JULY / AUGUST 2019

Administrator Mark
Green is welcomed by
community leaders
in rural Cote d'Ivoire
while visiting a womanowned savings and loan
association.

focus on making legal and regulatory frameworks conducive to
private sector investment. These initiatives announced by Secretary of State Pompeo and other Cabinet officials at the IndoPacific Business Forum in July 2018 include the Infrastructure
Transaction and Assistance Network, which enhances U.S.
government efforts to advance sustainable infrastructure in the
Indo-Pacific, and the Digital Connectivity and Cybersecurity
Partnership, which improves free digital connectivity and
expands opportunities for U.S. technology exports.
Infrastructure development, which is key to economic growth
in the Indo-Pacific, can have negative impacts on natural
resources, which are critical for sustained economic growth.
At the same time, irresponsible extraction of natural resources
threatens food security, environmental and public health,
inclusive economic growth and stability. USAID works with
governments and civil society to strengthen their governance of
natural resources, including vital energy sources. We promote
transparent government policies, regulations and transactions
that foster adherence to internationally accepted standards,
including environmental safeguards, and mitigate the entry of
malign authoritarian players. USAID plays a leading role in
Asia EDGE (Enhancing Development and Growth through
Energy), an interagency initiative also launched in July 2018
that is working to strengthen energy security and expand access
to energy across the Indo-Pacific region and Central Asia.
With regard to citizen-responsive democratic governance,
USAID plays a leading role in the Indo-Pacific Transparency
Initiative, announced by Vice President Pence in November
2018 during the APEC CEO Summit. The interagency initiative promotes sound, just and responsive governance through
efforts to counter corruption while encouraging strong oversight
by civil society, responsible borrowing, honest practices in public procurement and contracting, and judicial sector and legal
reform, among other aims essential to rule of law. n

Engineering Inc - July/August 2019

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