USAID Climate Change and Development Strategy

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Administrator Rajiv Shah
U.S. Agency for International Development Ronald Reagan Building
Washington, D.C. 20523-1000

Dear Administrator Shah:

On behalf of all our organizations, we are writing to express our deep appreciation for the recent release of the USAID Climate Change and Development Strategy.

As you know, climate change already poses one of the greatest challenges for development and conservation in the 21st century. The USAID climate strategy illustrates the Agency's clear commitment to addressing the consequences and some of the key causes of a changing climate in developing countries. Moreover, the strategy creates a strong framework for building on and expanding effective climate programs to bolster resilience to the impacts of climate change and promote low emissions development through forest and ecosystem protection and the adoption of clean energy technologies.

We are especially pleased with the strategy's emphasis on integrating climate change efforts throughout the Agency's programs, including food security, health, biodiversity, and water. Climate change cannot be viewed or addressed in isolation from other development priorities, and the strategy firmly recognizes this reality.

The strategy's focus on country-driven strategies and engagement with key stakeholders - particularly civil society and affected communities and populations, including women - is essential to achieving success. To ensure robust stakeholder engagement in each stage of design, implementation and evaluation of the strategies, US support for capacity building for that engagement will be critical for both developing country governments and civil society at all levels.

The strategy's focus on country-driven strategies and engagement with key stakeholders - particularly civil society and affected communities and populations, including women - is essential to achieving success. To ensure robust stakeholder engagement in each stage of design, implementation and evaluation of the strategies, US support for capacity building for that engagement will be critical for both developing country governments and civil society at all levels.

Thank you for advancing the USAID climate strategy and for your commitment to tackling the significant challenge of climate change. We look forward to working with you and the entire USAID staff during implementation of the strategy to assure its success.

Sincerely,
Action Against Hunger | ACF International
Nan Dale, Chief Executive Officer
Africare, Darius Mans, President
CARE USA, Helene D. Gayle, MD, MPH, President and CEO
Church World Service, Rev. John L. McCullough, Executive Director and CEO
Friends Committee on National Legislation, Diane Randall, Executive Secretary
Heifer International, Pierre Ferrari, CEO
National Wildlife Federation, Larry Schweiger, President and CEO
Oxfam America, Raymond C. Offenheiser, President
Pact, Mark Viso, President and CEO
Population Action International, Suzanne Ehlers, President and CEO
Relief International, Dr. Farshad Rastegar, President and CEO
US Climate Action Networkk, Peter Bahouth, Executive Director
World Wildlife Fund, Carter Roberts, President and CEO