Secretary of State Hillary Clinton: Commitment to global development
January 28, 2009

On her first day as Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton addressed the staff of the department and reaffirmed her commitment to elevating development as an essential tool of foreign policy.

"There are three legs to the stool of American foreign policy: defense, diplomacy and development. And we are responsible for two of the three legs. And we will make clear, as we go forward, that diplomacy and development are essential tools in achieving the long-term objectives of the United States. And I will do all that I can, working with you, to make it abundantly clear that robust diplomacy and effective development are the best long-term tools for securing America's future."
Read Secretary Clinton's complete speech to the State Department.

The following day, she visited the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). In remarks there, she stressed the Obama administration’s support for adequate and effective foreign aid.

"As we look toward the future, it is essential that the role of USAID and our other foreign assistance programs be strengthened and be adequately funded and be coordinated in a way that makes abundantly clear that the United States understands and supports development assistance."
Read Secretary Clinton's complete speech to USAID.