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Ambassador Kenney Lauds "Creativity and Innovation" of Women, Urges Greater Leadership Opportunities During Visit to Cotabato City

Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney traveled to Cotabato City on July 9-10, where she gave the keynote address at the Women's Forum on Poverty Reduction, a gathering of Mindanao's female leaders to address issues of poverty, environmental degradation, and conflict. Pictured above is Ambassador Kenney (center) with the Forum's organizing committee, including Bai Sandra S. Basar, Council for Women Business Owners and Entrepreneurs and Bai Sandra A. Sema, UNESCO Commissioner and First Lady of Cotabato City.
Hundreds of female leaders from business, government, civil society, and the academe attended the Women's Forum on Poverty Reduction in Cotabato City to develop an action plan to support poverty reduction in their communities. Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney gave the keynote address at the Forum, and toured a showcase of goods from female-owned businesses in Central Mindanao (pictured above).
During her July 9-10 visit to Cotabato, Ambassador Kenney cut the ribbon to officially inaugurate the Cotabato City Square. USAID worked with the local government to build this new central market and business area, which will be a place for thousands of residents to shop, do business, and get medical care. Pictured above at the event are (L to R) Acting USAID Mission Director Daniel Moore; Bai Sandra A. Sema, First Lady of Cotabato City; Ambassador Kenney; Mayor Muslemin Sema; and City Councilor Abdullah Andong.
The entrance to the new Cotabato City Square in Cotabato City. USAID worked with the local government to build this new central market and business area, which will be a place for thousands of residents to shop, do business, and get medical care.
Members of the International Monitoring Team (IMT) pose with Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney at their headquarters in Cotabato City. The Ambassador received a briefing from IMT head Major General Dato MD Ismail Bin Ahmad Khan of Malaysia on the activities of the IMT in support of peace negotiations between the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
On behalf of Project Handclasp, a San Diego-based charity, Ambassador Kenney and Commodore Bruce Stewart of the USS Peleliu's Pacific Partnership mission donated to the Mindanao Emergency Response Network 15 pallets of goods for distribution to needy communities. The goods being donated to Philippine families include medical supplies, toys and children's items, and hygiene supplies. The USS Peleliu, a U.S. Navy ship, has been in the Philippines for the last month on a goodwill mission to provide free health clinics for citizens and build and improve housing, schools, and emergency shelters.
At a regional summit on environmental governance for Islamic leaders, Ambassador Kenney launched a source book called "Al Khalifa" that guides Muslim communities on how to improve management of forests, coasts, and solid and liquid wastes. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) worked with local Islamic leaders and scholars to write the book. Pictured above are the Hon. E. Hassan; Cotabato City Mayor Muslemin Sema; Ambassador Kenney; Secretary Kabuntalan P. Emblawa, DENR-ARMM; and Grand Mufti Abdulwahid S. Inju.
In the city's Barangay Kalangan 2, Ambassador Kenney turned over a boat landing built by the U.S. Government at the request of local officials so farmers, fishermen, and traders can have a more efficient and safer water transport system. The American people through USAID have built almost 900 roads, bridges, drainage ditches, ports, and other infrastructure buildings in Mindanao. Pictured above on the steps to the water are (L to R) USAID Economic Growth Advisor Bob Barnes; Undersecretary Virgilio Leyretana, Chairman, MedCo; Mayor Muslemin Sema; Ambassador Kenney; and Bai Sandra A. Sema, First Lady of Cotabato City.

Last Update :: 07/12/2007

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