On Wednesday, April 28, the U.S. Senate unanimously confirmed Samantha Power to be the 19th administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Power is the third woman to serve as administrator since the agency was created in 1961.
“Ambassador Power brings a long track record of leadership in development and foreign affairs,” said URC President Earl Gast. “Her experience will be an asset as she works with the global community to ensure health systems are prepared to respond to future disease outbreaks and tackle the world’s most pressing development challenges. Her permanent seat at the National Security Council will ensure that U.S. foreign policy is informed by the development perspective.”
Previously, Power served as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Senior Director for Multilateral Affairs and Human Rights on the National Security Council, and Founding Executive Director of the Carr Center for Human Rights Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School. As an academic, civil servant, and Pulitzer-prize winning author of a book on the U.S. foreign policy response to genocide, Power is a strong advocate for human rights, equity, and protecting the most vulnerable.
Upon confirmation Administrator Power tweeted: “Thank you everyone for your support these last months—I’m so grateful for this bipartisan vote of confidence from the Senate, and so energized to be joining the incredible @USAID team to get big things done. The Agency’s work around the world has never been more vital.”
URC looks forward to being a partner with Administrator Power in achieving the Agency’s “big things.”
