(June 8 ,2007)
Good morning. Next week, I will travel to Europe to attend
the G8 summit. At this meeting, the leaders of industrialized nations will discuss ways we can work together
to advance trade, fight disease, promote development that works, increase access to education, and address
the long-term challenge of global climate change.
It is in America's interests to help these efforts succeed. When we help lift
societies out of poverty, we create new markets for American goods and new jobs
for American workers. When we help reduce chaos and suffering, we make America
safer, because prosperous nations are less likely to breed violence and export
terror. And this week, my Administration took several important steps to advance
peace and opportunity across the world.
On Tuesday, America took new
actions to address the ongoing genocide in Darfur. On my orders, the Department
of Treasury tightened our existing economic sanctions against Sudan and imposed
additional ones. I also directed Secretary Rice to work with our allies on a new
U.N. Security Council Resolution that will seek to impose new sanctions, expand
the arms embargo, and prohibit Sudan's government from conducting offensive
military flights over this troubled region. The people of Darfur have suffered
long enough. We will not avert our eyes from a crisis that challenges the
conscience of the world.
On Wednesday, the United States demonstrated
leadership on another crisis affecting Africa: HIV/AIDS. In 2003, my
Administration launched a $15 billion Emergency Plan for AIDS relief, and that
plan has supported treatment for more than one million people. This is a good
start, but only a start. So I've asked Congress to double our initial commitment
for HIV/AIDS prevention to $30 billion over the next five years. By making this
commitment now, we will help deliver lifesaving treatment, prevent new
infections, and support care for millions of people across Africa.
As we fight violence and disease, America is also using its influence to help
struggling countries transform themselves into free and hopeful societies. And
on Thursday, I announced three new initiatives that will help the developing
world.
The first initiative is a new project called the Africa Financial Sector
Initiative. This initiative will help bring African nations the technical
assistance they need to strengthen their financial markets. And it will
encourage the international financial community to create several new private
equity funds that will mobilize up to $1 billion of new private investment in
Africa. By taking these steps, we can help African entrepreneurs access capital,
so they can grow their businesses and create jobs across the continent.
The second initiative is a new effort to help more of the world's poorest
children get an education. In 2002, my Administration launched the Africa
Education Initiative, which has provided about $300 million to improve
educational opportunities throughout that continent. Now, with the support of
Congress, we will devote an additional $525 million over the next five years to
help provide a quality basic education for up to four million children in poor
nations. With this initiative, we will help young people get the skills they
need to succeed and a chance to achieve their dreams.
The third initiative is a proposal to help developing nations meet their
growing energy needs while protecting the environment and addressing the
challenge of global climate change. Under my proposal, by the end of next year
America and other nations will set a long-term global goal for reducing
greenhouse gases. And to meet this goal, we must help developing countries
harness the power of technology. The United States is investing billions of
dollars in clean energy technologies and coming up with new ways to share these
technologies with other nations. Through the spirit of innovation, we will help
developing nations grow their economies and be responsible stewards of the
environment.
In all these endeavors, the American people can be proud of our global
leadership and generosity. Our Nation is delivering aid and comfort to those in
need. We're helping expand opportunity across the world. We're laying the
foundation for a more peaceful and hopeful future for all our citizens.
Thank you for listening.
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