Virtual
Remarks
ADMINISTRATOR SAMANTHA POWER: Hello, everyone. It is great to be with you today – at least virtually – to celebrate a success story that I share with leaders all around the world: how, as the Ukrainian people fight to defend democracy’s future, they are also helping to bring democracy into the future.
Thanks to President Zelenskyy’s vision and the extraordinary work of the Ministry of Digital Transformation, Diia is showing democracies everywhere how we can harness technology to deliver essential services more quickly, more equitably, and more effectively than ever, and in so doing how we can reduce opportunities for corruption and to connect citizens with their government.
USAID has been a strong supporter of Ukraine’s digital transformation since 2016, even before the days of Diia. And now, we are really happy to be able to take the lessons we’ve learned together here, in Ukraine, and help share them with others, so Ukraine can be a model of digital transformation for other countries.
Today, I am thrilled to announce that, in collaboration with the Government of Ukraine, we are partnering with the Government of Ecuador to use the lessons from Diia to improve their own e-governance systems. I visited Ecuador just last month, I saw firsthand how citizens are taking charge to build a more transparent, nimble, and effective government that works for them. Platforms like Diia can give them the tools to supercharge these efforts.
I want to congratulate all of you who have been a part of making Diia the incredible platform it is today. You are a true testament to the power of democracies to work together, to share great ideas, and to unleash the innovative power of our people to solve tough challenges and create a better future for all.
Thank you so much.