Tuesday, September 22, 2009 at 11:00 am

New York City

On September 22, 2009, MCC and InterAction hosted keynote speeches followed by a panel discussion on the importance of country-led development. This event facilitated a dialogue among government leaders and civil society organization about their experiences implementing the development best practice of “country ownership” and partnership development. The session provided a collaborative call for future action in bolstering country-led and people-centered development to advance smart aid.

Featuring keynote remarks were delivered by:

• His Excellency Sali Berisha, Prime Minister of the Republic of Albania
• His Excellency Blaise Compaoré President of Burkina Faso
• His Excellency Ernest Bai Koroma, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone
• His Excellency Jakaya Kikwete, President of the United Republic of Tanzani

Additional participants were:

• The Honorable Jose Brito, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Communities, Republic of Cape Verde
• The Honorable Cheikh Gadio,  Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Senegal, and
• Julius H. Coles, President of Africare