WASHINGTON, D.C. - Dr. Maura O'Neill, Chief Innovation Officer at the U.S. Agency of International Development, testified today before the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Development at the Canadian Parliament in Ottawa, Canada on USAID's experience in working with the private sector through public-private partnerships.

The Canadian Parliament has commissioned a study on "The Role of the Private Sector in Achieving Canada's International Interests", which is focused on examining the role of government in working with the private sector on development goals. The committee sought perspective from Dr. O'Neill regarding USAID's Global Development Alliance (GDA) program established in 2001, and the Agency's subsequent work in building innovative, cost-effective public-private partnerships. This testimony will be used as evidence to advise Canada's own public-private partnership involvement and will have relevant implications for the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).

In her testimony, Dr. O'Neill focused on USAID's partnership experience, the Agency's rationale for collaborating with the private sector, and how these partnerships assist USAID in achieving its development objectives. She also mentioned two USAID partnerships that incorporate Canadian partner companies: the Haiti Mobile Money Initiative (HMMI) with Scotiabank in Haiti and the Poverty Reduction and Alleviation (PRA) Project with Barrick Gold in Peru.

In addition to her role as the Agency's Chief Innovation Officer, Dr. O'Neill leads the Office of Innovation and Development Alliances (IDEA), which includes Development Innovation Ventures (DIV), Global Partnerships, Local Sustainability, and Mobile Solutions Divisions.