Washington, D.C. - On September 9, U.S.Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Rajiv Shah traveled to Arkansas.  During his visit, he signed a memorandum of understanding with Walmart and the Walmart Foundation that will improve livelihoods around the world by promoting women's economic empowerment, sustainable agriculture, environmental sustainability and vocational and life skills training for youth.

 

Dr. Shah also met with Walmart senior executive leaders. “We are excited about this latest landmark in our relationship with Walmart. Our global partnership is emblematic of USAID’s new model of development and our commitment to work with private sector companies to end extreme poverty around the world,” stated Rajiv Shah, USAID Administrator, at a ceremony held at Walmart’s headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas.

 

In the afternoon, the Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences at the University of Arkansas’ “Food for Thought” lecture series featured Administrator Shah as the speaker.  The lecture, titled, “Partnering with the Private Sector: A New Model of Development”  focused on how public-private partnerships are critical to transforming what is possible to achieve in development. From local partnerships with entrepreneurs to global alliances on food security, energy, and education, public-private partnerships are forming the foundation of a new model for development to lead the world in efforts to end extreme poverty.