Chris Coons

I am struck, Ambassador, by the anger, frankly, the breadth and depth of anger in the developing world...

One of the things I am most concerned about is the lack of engagement and presence by the PRC, yes, by our Gulf partners, absolutely.

If the Chinese keep piling on the debt and we do not fund the Development Finance Corporation as our alternative that is more transparent and more sustainable, we will continue to go in the wrong direction in the developing world.

Russia's responsibility for this food crisis because of its aggression in Ukraine.

I frankly think we should focus on this like it is the Berlin Airlift...

It is striking to me that at exactly this moment, when we have a bitter cocktail coming together of a conflict and COVID and climate that the United States is stepping up in a massive way.

I want to thank you and the Ranking Member of this committee for holding a full committee hearing on this remarkable, grave, global crisis in food security.

The whole world community recognizes the urgent need for the World Food Programme.

I am very concerned about Russian disinformation, particularly around Ukraine and whether or not it is their aggression or our sanctions that are causing significant hunger and development disruptions around the world.

Senator, first thank you so much for your leadership on the Global Fragility Act.

We do need additional flexibility. Thank you so much, all of you, for the flexibility we have been given.

Columbia is an example I often use because once security was there and the political will was there...

I am very encouraged by the level of engagement and persistence here and by the engagement by the Administration.

They want their country to have economic prosperity while also having the Government protect their fundamental rights.

I look forward to hearing from you and supporting you in your service in these nations.

There is an active and successful disinformation campaign that is leading many on the continent to believe that it is American sanctions and actions, not Russia's aggression, that are causing skyrocketing food and fertilizer and fuel…

That is the single best thing we can do to strengthen American competitiveness and innovation, to prepare us to succeed in our global competition with China.

I will use it. I will ask for help from the legislative branch and from other parts of Washington.

I think it is important to emphasize that, again, Kazakhstan faces the reality of having this big, powerful neighbor that it depends on for so much.

The striking backsliding, the transformation back to an authoritarian state in recent days is truly alarming.

I appreciate your raising the DFC. I am a great believer in its capabilities, in particular, as an alternative pathway to development financing that allows for higher standards--labor standards, environmental standards, and transparency.

The shuttering of the parliament, the firing of judges, and the series of constitutional changes of consolidated presidential authority gravely concern me.

I would look forward to doing is exploring how we can leverage those capabilities in order to demonstrate why the United States should be the preferred partner in assisting with their economic development.

If confirmed, I would look to work in close partnership with my colleagues in capitals around region to build on what we found to be a very encouraging initial set of countries who signed up to be a part of the launch of IPEF.

I have particularly been interested in and supportive of the Development Finance Corporation and the Millennium Challenge Corporation.