• His Excellency Dr. Sou Phirin, Governor of Siem Reap; 

• Dr. Oum Sopheap, KHANA Executive Director; 

• Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen:

 

I arrived in Cambodia just recently but I have already been impressed with the progress in health.  I want to congratulate you especially, Your Excellency Dr. Mam Bunheng, for your achievement.

From the highest level of government down to community organizations, Cambodia has come together impressively to improve health, including HIV/AIDS. It is now possible to envision the next generation as AIDS free.

I am proud to be with you today to showcase the U.S. Government’s commitment to Cambodia’s HIV response.  Our efforts will be successful only if we work together as a team – by bringing our unique strengths to the table.  It’s such a team that I am honored to have joined in Cambodia.  

Since the inception of its HIV/AIDS program in 1986, USAID has been on the forefront of the global AIDS crisis, investing more than $7 billion to fight the pandemic. Today, with more than 33 million people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS, USAID is a key partner in the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the largest and most diverse HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and treatment initiative in the world.

We are proud here to be partnering with KHANA, whom USAID first supported in 1997 as a sub partner under the HIV/AIDS Alliance (of which USAID was a founding member in 1993) and who now is a direct partner with whom we have two grant agreements. KHANA is widely acknowledged as one of the best NGOs working on HIV in Cambodia.  

As I learn more about USAID/Cambodia’s programs and achievements, I am more impressed with the effort, the commitment, and the effectiveness of our colleagues.  And there is no bigger supporter of our team than our leader, Ambassador William E. Todd.

Ambassador Todd’s vision is to use U.S. Government development and diplomacy resources to improve the lives of Cambodian people. 

Excellencies, ladies, and gentlemen: please help me welcome Ambassador William E. Todd.

Sous day chenam tmai (Happy New Year).