The below is attributable to Spokesperson Jessica Jennings:
On January 25, Administrator Samantha Power met with representatives of The Elders, an organization of prominent former world leaders founded in 2007 by former President Nelson Mandela. Chair of The Elders and former President of Ireland Mary Robinson, former Prime Minister and President of Mongolia Elbegdorj Tsakhia, former President of Colombia Juan Manuel Santos, and Chief Executive of The Elders Alistair Fernie participated in today’s meeting.
They discussed the critical need and opportunities to address some of the most pressing global issues including pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response. Administrator Power highlighted USAID’s role in supporting a stronger global health architecture that can prevent, detect, respond to, and withstand pandemic shocks. She discussed the importance of sustained political leadership on this issue around the world and the importance of growing investment in the recently-established Pandemic Fund. These efforts align with USAID’s expanding work to strengthen health security capacities, provide financial and technical support for the Pandemic Fund, and support the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations to develop vaccines and other countermeasures more rapidly and equitably.
They also discussed adaption finance, which advances the President’s Emergency Plan for Adaptation and Resilience (PREPARE), including private sector adaptation financing that can unlock opportunities to better prepare countries and communities to adapt to and manage the impacts of climate change.