This week, President Trump nominated Ambassador Mark Green to serve as the next USAID Administrator. MFAN released a statement welcoming the pick, as Amb. Green has extensive experience as both a former member of Congress and Ambassador to Tanzania. Green currently serves as the President of the International Republican Institute which works to advance democracy around the world.
If confirmed, Amb. Green will lead USAID at a time when deep proposed budget cuts and possible reorganization plans will require a strong development voice to ensure that it remains a core element of U.S. foreign policy, along with diplomacy and defense.
See below for a roundup of reactions from around the MFAN community.
Connie Veillette, MFAN Co-Chair; Senior Fellow, The Lugar Center: “Mark Green understands the value of development and diplomacy as pillars of US foreign policy. We hope he will continue to build on the progress made in modernizing USAID.”
George Ingram, MFAN Co-Chair; Senior Fellow, The Brookings Institution: “Ambassador Green is an expert on development issues and a thought leader on reform. We look forward to working with him in his new capacity to further enhance the effectiveness of U.S. foreign assistance.”
Sen. Richard Lugar (Ret.), MFAN Honorary Co-Chair; President, The Lugar Center: “At this critical time of humanitarian crises, multi-state conflicts threatening nearly 20 million people with starvation, and continued development challenges and opportunities, Mark Green’s competent and steady leadership at the helm of USAID is welcome news.”
Rep. Jim Kolbe (Ret.), MFAN Honorary Co-Chair; Senior Transatlantic Fellow, German Marshall Fund: “Though regretful that we will lose his leadership at the helm of IRI, we are pleased that an individual with such experience and managerial talent has been nominated by President Trump to be USAID Administrator. Mark Green will ensure that development assistance and the promotion of democracy and human rights will continue to be an important part of this administration’s foreign policy.”
Ray Offenheiser, President, Oxfam America: “We stand ready to work with Ambassador Green to continue to make USAID a premiere development agency that saves lives, enhances our national interests, and builds partners that ultimately make a safer world for all,”
Tom Hart, North America Executive Director, ONE: “Ambassador Green should continue the bipartisan efforts to modernize the United States’ foreign assistance programs, expanding the impact of Americans’ generosity.”
Liz Schrayer, President and CEO, U.S. Global Leadership Coalition: “Mark gets what it takes to make foreign assistance work and why these programs are so vital to our national security and economic interests, having served as an original sponsor of the MCC and overseen the programs first-hand as our Ambassador to Tanzania. As a colleague and board member of the USGLC, he has played a vital role in driving the aid reform agenda – and has the track record to build upon these game-changing reforms.”
David Beckmann, President, Bread for the World: “I urge the Senate to move quickly and approve Ambassador Green’s appointment. This appointment comes at a critical time, as famine threatens the lives of an estimated 20 million people in Nigeria, South Sudan, Somalia, and Yemen. Permanent leadership at USAID is vital if we are to adequately respond to this and other challenges.”
Scott Morris, Senior Fellow, Center for Global Development: “With so much uncertainty about the future of US foreign assistance, engendered by skinny budgets, executive orders, and a rumor mill on overdrive, Green’s announcement amounts to a heavy dose of comfort that comes with a familiar name and a clear and sound track record as a development policymaker.”
Sam Worthington, CEO, InterAction: “Mark Green is a solid choice. I’ve worked with Mark for over a decade and I applaud President Trump’s decision to nominate an experienced and recognized development community leader to serve as our nation’s next USAID administrator.”
Michelle Nunn, President and CEO, CARE USA: “CARE looks forward to working with Ambassador Green to support our shared commitment to addressing current development and humanitarian challenges, and to building upon the transparency and accountability results that USAID has achieved.”
Todd Shelton, Vice President of U.S. Government Relations, World Wildlife Fund: “Ambassador Green brings to this new role a wealth of experience working with the international development community. As US Ambassador to Tanzania and a member of Congress, he has long demonstrated a strong understanding of the benefits foreign assistance provides, helping stabilize communities abroad while driving security and prosperity here at home.”
Also see statements from Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Acting USAID Administrator Wade Warren.
