Statement: Special Presidential Representative for U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit Implementation

At the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, held from December 13-15, 2022 in Washington DC, President Biden reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to deepen and expand our partnership with African countries to better meet the shared challenges and opportunities of our era.  The Summit reaffirmed our resolve to work collaboratively with African governments, businesses, and publics to strengthen people-to-people ties, ensure more inclusive and responsive global institutions, build a strong and sustainable global economy, foster new technology and innovation, strengthen health systems and prepare for the next pandemic, tackle the food security and climate crises, support democracy and human rights, and advance peace and security.
 
The U.S. Government is dedicated to following through on these commitments.  To that end, the Biden administration is establishing a new Special Presidential Representative for U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit Implementation to coordinate implementation efforts.  This senior position will ensure this strengthened partnership manifests not only in word, but also in deed. 
 
The Department of State will appoint Ambassador Johnnie Carson to this role.  Ambassador Carson dedicated his 37-year career to African diplomacy, serving as the former Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs and Ambassador to Kenya, Uganda, and Zimbabwe.  Earlier in his career, he also served in Botswana, Mozambique, and Nigeria, and was a Peace Corps volunteer in Tanzania. 
 
Ambassador Carson will coordinate with U.S. and African government, civil society, private sector, and diaspora representatives to ensure that the important dialogues that began during the Summit lead to durable action.  He will also work with a wide range of stakeholders to explore mechanisms for future high-level engagement.  We are looking forward to bringing him on board.

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