IP/C/W/656/Add.2  
 
4 October 2019 
(19-6457) Page: 1/51 
Council for Trade -Related Aspects of  
Intellectual Property Rights  
 Original: English  
 
REPORT ON THE IMPLEM ENTATION OF ARTICLE 66.2 
OF THE TRIPS AGREEME NT 
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA  
Addendum  
The following communication, dated 20 September 2019, from the delegation of the 
United  States  of America is being circulated pursuant to paragraph 1 of the Decision on 
Implementation of Article  66.2 of the  TRIPS  Agreement (IP/C/28).  
 
_______________  
 
 
1   INTRODUCTION  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........  2 
2   GENERAL TECHNOLO GY TRANSFER PROGRAMS , INCENTIVES, AND PA RTNERSHIPS  ... 2 
3   EDUCATIONAL AND UNIVERSITY -LED PROGR AMS ................................ ......................  9 
4   COMMERCIAL AND L EGAL PROGRAMMES TO S TRENGTHEN CAPACI TY .......................  12 
5   INTELLECTUAL PRO PERTY PROTECTION (IP R) AND ENFORCEMENT C APACITY 
BUILDING  ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  13 
6   TRADE AND INVEST MENT POLICY, CAPACIT Y BUILDING, AND INCE NTIVES  .............  18 
7   DEVELOPMENT PROG RAMMING AND INCENTIV ES THROUGH PRIVATE S ECTOR 
MODELS  ................................ ................................ ................................ .........................  21 
8   PROGRAMMES AND I NCENTIVES RELATED TO AGRICULTU RAL DEVELOPMENT AND 
FOOD SAFETY AND SECU RITY  ................................ ................................ ........................  23 
9   PROGRAMING AND I NCENTIVES RELATED TO  ENERGY DEVELOPMENT  .....................  31 
10   PROGRAMING AND INCENTIVES RELATED T O ENVIRONMENTAL PROT ECTION  ....... 34 
11   PROGRAMMING AND INC ENTIVES RELATED TO H EALTH  ................................ .........  39 
12   PROGRAMMING AND INCE NTIVES RELATED TO BU ILDING LABOR CAPACIT Y .........  48 
13   PROGRAMME AND I NCENTIVES RELATED TO  TRANSPORTATION  ............................  50 
 
 
 
  IP/C/W/656/Add.2  
 
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  1  INTRODUCTION  
1.  The United States is committed to continually enhancing its activities pursuant to Article 66.2 of 
the TRIPS Agreement, and reporting those activities, in keeping with the guidelines established in 
the TRIPS Council 's Decision of 20 February 2003 (IP/C/28). Consistent with this decision, developed 
country members shall provide yearly reports to least developed country (LDC) Members on actions 
taken or planned in pursuance of the commitments of developed countries under Article 66.2 to 
provide incentives to enterprises and institutions in their territories for the purpose of promoting and 
encouraging technology transfer to LDC Members, in order to enable them to create a sound and 
viable technological base. USG funding of these multifaceted activities and collaborations are 
incentives to the many partners in the US that work with LDC recipients and institutions to promote, 
encourage, and enable t echnology transfer.  
2.  The intellectual property (IP), trade capacity, training, development assistance, educational, 
financing, entrepreneurship, and infrastructure -related programmes described in this report are 
integral elements of the efforts of the United States to support LDCs in fostering the necessary 
environment to encourage the effective, voluntary transfer of technology to LDC Members. No report 
can represent every activity th at directly or indirectly incentivizes enterprises and institutions for the 
purpose of promoting and encouraging technology transfer, but this report attempts to describe the 
most significant activities and programmes and to convey the breadth and depth of  US efforts.  
3.  The US Government attaches  great importance to providing the incentives to help LDCs obtain 
technology transfer. A key element to that objective is that the US Government,  in collaboration 
with many national and regional government agencies a nd IP organizations, such as the World 
Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), work to assist LDCs, to improve the functioning and 
utilization of their IP systems to promote economic, social and cultural development. Our goal is to 
help LDCs establish a n environment that attracts and sustains technologies that address local needs 
and are valued in local markets. The strengthening of IP protection is an essential measure to 
promote technology transfer.  
4.  Much of the United States Government research conduct ed by federally operated laboratories 
and federally funded research and development (R&D) centres  results in inventions or findings that 
contribute to the development of new technologies and processes. Commercialization of these 
outputs can yield economic and social benefits that increase returns on the investment in federal 
R&D. 
5.  The United States continues to believe that the effective functioning of Article 66.2 of the 
TRIPS  Agreement requires a robust dialogue between developed country and LDC Members, i n order 
to target incentives in a way that is most responsive to the self -identified technology transfer 
interests and needs of LDC Members. The United States encourages the efforts of the TRIPS Council 
Secretariat and Members to organize discussions among  Members regarding Article 66.2 
implementation. The United States has taken note of past discussions regarding the use of focal 
points with respect to Article 66.2 reports. Focal points for LDC Members could play an important 
role in disseminating informat ion from Article 66.2 reports about technology transfer programmes 
and their effectiveness to broader audiences, so that technology transfer projects could be better 
leveraged in their territories. The United States is always willing to meet with intereste d Members 
to discuss ways to ensure that US programmes and reports are as helpful as possible.  
2  GENERAL TECHNOLOGY T RANSFER PROGRAMS, IN CENTIVES, AND PARTNE RSHIPS  
6.  The 2018 President 's Management Agenda ( https://www.performance.gov/PMA/PMA.html ) 
includes a Cross Agency Priority Goal to Improve Transfer of Federally -Funded Technologies from 
Lab-to-Market.   
7.  Similarly, through the Bayh -Dole act of 1980, the US Congress directed that inventions that 
result from federally funded research be used to promote commercialization and public access 
through practical application. United States laboratories often partner with external organizations to 
conduct cooperative research and development.  IP/C/W/656/Add.2  
 
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  2.1  Federally Sponsored R esearch and Development  
8.  Federal initiatives on technology transfer are being implemented through the aforementioned 
Cross Agency Priority Goal to Improve Transfer of Federally -Funded Technologies from 
Lab-to-Market. New programmes will streamline technolog y transfer and accelerate the pace of 
commercialization of federal research. Specific strategies are:  
• Identify regulatory impediments and administrative improvements in Federal technology 
transfer policies and practices;  
• Increase engagement with private sector technology development experts and investors;  
• Build an entrepreneurial R&D workforce;  
• Support innovative tools and services for technology transfer; and  
• Improve understanding of global science and technology trends and benchmarks (see 
https://www. performance .gov/CAP/CAP_goal_14.html ).  
9.  The National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) workgroup on Lab -to-Market coordinates 
federal initiatives on technology transfer. Federal agencies implement these initiatives, which include 
development of human capital, and small business innovation. The National Institute of Standards 
and Technology prepares an annual report that summarizes government -wide technology transfer 
efforts. This report ca n be found at https://www.nist.gov/tpo/federal -laboratory -interagency -
technology -transfer -summary -reports .  
2.1.1   Federal Laboratory Consortium for Techno logy Transfer  
10.  Technology transfer is most effective when the technology is requested by the entity that will 
use the technology. The Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer (FLC) plays a key 
role in providing information about technologies that are availab le for licensing and the availability 
of laboratories for collaboration and partnership. The FLC is a national network of approximately 
300 US federal laboratories and centres that provides opportunities for linking laboratory mission 
technologies and expe rtise with the marketplace (see https://www.federallabs.org/ ). The FLC 
promotes technical cooperation among the federal laboratories and large and small businesses, 
academia, and federal, state, and local govern ment agencies. FLC collaborates with organizations 
that promote technical cooperation, and works to improve the effectiveness of technology transfer 
through training, recognition, awards, and evaluation. Moreover, the FLC encourages technology 
transfer and , through its member laboratories, seeks partners around the world. The FLC offers a 
broad set of tools including the ability to search available laboratory technologies, find laboratory 
expertise and facilities, and find available partnership mechanisms f or different agencies. The FLC 
Toolkit is available at https://www.federallabs.org/node/567 .  
2.1.2   Partnerships for Enhanced Engagement in Research  
11.  The Partnerships for Enhanced Engagement in Research (PEER) programme directly supports 
scientists in USAID -presence countries through institutional research awards ranging up to 
USD 300,000. US scientific agencies such as National Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA), 
National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), National 
Science Foundation (NSF), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Smithsonian 
Institution, US Forest Service (USFS), US Department of Agriculture 's (USDA) Agriculture Research 
Service, a nd US Geological Survey (USGS), as well as National Instruments, General Electric, 
and universities and research institutes around the world, have partnered with scientists in 
developing countries through PEER awards. Since its launch in 2011, PEER has sup ported more than 
280 projects in 50 countries with a USAID investment of more than USD 55 million. PEER aims to 
build capacity among local scientists and research institutions, strengthen research partnerships 
worldwide, and better translate data and evide nce into policy.  
2.1.2.1   PEER Project: Delivering Crop Yield Nowcasts and Forecasts - Uganda  
12.  Several PEER projects are using cutting edge digital technologies to facilitate climate -smart 
agriculture. For example, in Uganda, Makerere University is partnering with C alifornia State 
University Monterey Bay, and the NASA Ames Research Center for Earth Science and Technology to IP/C/W/656/Add.2  
 
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  develop and deliver crop yield forecasts to farmers in Sub -Saharan Africa. These forecasts will 
integrate satellite data and advanced crop modell ing. In 2019, the final platform, CropWIS, has been 
designed and is now the smartphone mobile application can be downloaded here for android phone; 
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gfd.cropwis&hl=en . The research teams have 
started training end users, university staff and students, and extension workers in Uganda and 
Zambia. The project leader reported that there is interest in CropWI S mobile phoneApp developed 
under the project to be used as early warning platform for crop health & drought information system 
by Ministry of Agriculture, National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO), and the Office of the 
Prime Minister.  
13.  In the nex t quarter, the project leader and his team are planning to scale the use of their 
platform through country wide trainings in Uganda and Zambia aimed and build the farmers on 
nowcast and forecast data retrieval for farm decision making and national policy a wareness 
workshop on climate risk and early waning information. They also plan on carrying out capacity 
building of Formation Farmer field schools (FFS) learning groups at community level and national 
staff capacities to access and use daily weather and cr op early warning system for agricultural 
planning.  
2.1.2.2   PEER Project: Optimization of SMC Delivery and its Effects on the Acquisition of 
Malaria Immunity - Mali 
14.  Through a PEER grant, a researcher in Bamako is studying the best way to deliver Seasonal 
Malaria Ch emoprevention (SMC), a World Health Organization -recommended method for malaria 
prevention in children under five, across Mali. Through a series of randomized control trials supported 
by the PEER programme and the US National Institutes of Health, the rese archer has shown that a 
door-to-door approach to treatment administration increases antimalarial coverage by 14  % 
compared to a fixed -point distribution strategy. He has also identified effective methods for 
administering medicine and the optimal number of  doses. The results of this research are directly 
informing the government of Mali 's roll-out of SMC through the National Malaria Control Program, 
which works directly with the US Presidential Malaria Initiative. While the team is working closely 
with the Government of Mali during the scale -up of SMC during FY 2019 -2020, the team continues 
to study the impact of SMC on antibody generation to see if SMC prevents the normal progression 
of innate immune protection generated by constant exposure to malaria. The  team also developed 
new collaborations with Sanaria for testing the PfSPZ malaria vaccine in Mali.  
2.1.2.3   PEER Project: Affordable Technologies for Cervical Cancer Screening - 
Mozambique  
15.  Maputo Central Hospital, in collaboration with University of Texas MD Ander son Cancer Center, 
Universide Eduardo Mondlane, Rice University, and Population Services International, are promoting 
and testing affordable technologies for cervical cancer screening for low income countries to improve 
early detection of cervical cancer. The project aims to screen 2,000 women for cervical cancer, using 
a novel point of care HPV test developed by Rice University, through existing cervical cancer 
prevention and voluntary family planning programs.   
2.1.2.4   PEER Project - Open Mapping Nepal  
16.  There is huge potential to engage digital volunteers to map unmapped parts of the world 
(Goodchild, 2007). Nepal has one of the most active open mapping communities in the world and 
has leveraged this capacity to better respond to natural disasters such as the 2015  earthquake. The 
Lab is supporting research into how to best sustain and expand open -mapping in Nepal 
post-earthquake through a partnership between a Nepalese NGO, Kathmandu Living Labs, and 
researchers supported by the National Science Foundation at the U niversity of Colorado Boulder.  
17.  Despite the critical contribution of open mapping to earthquake relief efforts, local NGO 
Kathmandu Living Labs (KLL) recognized that more work needed to be done to sustain open mapping 
in Nepal. Little was known about how t o engage and retain local citizens to contribute to mapping 
and there were gaps in the geospatial information infrastructure in Nepal. Through PEER -supported 
action research and expertise from the University of Colorado Boulder on social media use during 
crisis, KLL developed a model to conduct outreach and motivate, train, and engage citizen 
volunteers, particularly youth, in open -mapping. The team is also integrating open mapping in IP/C/W/656/Add.2  
 
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  university curriculum and working with the Nepalese government to engage local youth in city 
mapping.  
2.1.3   END Wildlife Trafficking - AF/SA PKO Counter Poaching Programme - Tanzania  
18.  As part of Embassy Tanzania 's END Wildlife Trafficking Strategy, this State -PKO funded 
programme is focused on assisting the Government of Tanzania in it s efforts to prevent, deter, and 
respond to poaching activities by increasing mobility, improving infrastructure, strengthening 
command and control, and strengthening technical skills of rangers. In 2018, the US Government 
funded  telecommunications trainin g and equipment to all Tanzanian Wildlife Management Authority 
(TAWA) headquarters and game reserve units, and for the first time TAWA rangers can communicate 
with each other across game reserves and to TAWA headquarters. For example, the Rungwa Game 
Reser ve is now fully equipped with seven base stations, nine mobile radios, 11 -man packs, and two 
air-to-ground base units and cross gate components. The reserve has 99% radio coverage and patrol 
response rates are at 95%. From 1 to 8 July 2019, the joint US Em bassy and Dar es Salaam -TAWA 
Telecommunications Assessment assessed the interoperability and operation of current 
telecommunication systems of TAWA to identify needs and solutions.  
2.1.4   Global Innovation Exchange  
19.  Global Innovation Exchange (GIE), a USAID programme launched in 2015, is a digital platform 
that connects innovators, donors, academia, and the private sector to innovative devices, data, 
technologies, approaches, processes, and funding opportunities.  
20.  In FY 2019, GIE reached new heights surpassing 11 ,000 innovations on the platform as well as 
more than 1,000 funding opportunities for more than USD 1 billion worth of cumulative funding. 
Innovations on GIE span across 13 global development sectors and 24 cross -cutting topics in 137+ 
low- and- middle -income countries (LMICs). In a commitment to data quality on the platform, GIE 
launched a partnership programme with funders and other ecosystem players to identify and "verify " 
innovations based on funding or other recognitions they have provided to innovati ons. With these 
partners, or "Data Champions, " GIE has verified over 45% of the innovations on the platform, 
helping surface up the most promising innovations. GIE is also increasingly being used by funders 
and others in the ecosystem in a variety of ways,  such as to discover and research innovations 
through GIE 's Innovation Finder Service, to map the innovation ecosystem, and to track the progress 
of their portfolio innovations through GIE 's Milestones section.  
21.  GIE is also supporting several USAID program mes such as the Bureau of Food Security 's Feed 
the Future (FTF) initiative by powering the FTF Innovation Exchange to showcase FTF 's portfolio of 
transfer -ready innovation and accelerate innovation. Other leading international development 
agencies are usin g GIE to power their initiatives and improve pipelines. For example, the 
International Development Innovation Alliance (USAID is also a member) is using GIE to power the 
Million Lives Club applications.  
22.  As highlighted by GIE 's Global Development Innovatio n Landscape report published in 
June 2019, innovations from least developed countries are prominently represented on GIE. For 
example, Uganda ranks third for the most innovations on GIE amongst the full list of LMICs. GIE 's 
funding opportunities also serve  LDCs, where five of the top ten LMICs by funding are LDCs 
(Tanzania, Uganda, Mozambique, Rwanda, Malawi). Within regional innovation ecosystems, LDCs 
are prominently represented amongst the list of LMICs, for example Bangladesh is ranked second  
for innova tion ecosystem in the Asia Pacific region and Haiti is ranked first for innovation ecosystem 
in Latin America and the Caribbean.  
2.1.5   Innovation Discovery & Testing  
23.  Generating new ideas for innovation, building evidence of their efficacy, and helping attract 
further investment helps development solutions reach more people more quickly and sustainably. 
The US Global Development Lab serves as an innovation hub. Working collaboratively with the 
Agency and our external partners, the Lab 's mission is two -fold: 1) To produce breakthrough 
development innovations by sourcing, testing, and scaling proven solutions to reach hundreds of 
millions of people; and 2) To accelerate the transformation of the development enterprise by opening 
development to people everywhere with good ideas, promoting new and deepening existing IP/C/W/656/Add.2  
 
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  partnerships, bringing data and evidence to bear, and harnessing scientific and technological 
advances.  
24.  The Lab uses two approaches to identify promising innovations, which are then rigorously 
tested, iterat ed, and put in use on a broad scale for global impact. The first approach - open 
innovation - includes the Development Innovation Ventures (DIV) program me, a year -round grant 
programme open to nearly any individual or organization for any sector in any cou ntry where USAID 
operates. Grants are awarded based on cost -effectiveness, evidence of impact, and the potential to 
scale. DIV's FY 2018 -2019 Annual Programme Statement also established a separate category of 
evidence grants, used for research and evaluati on of development practices and innovations. The 
second approach, directed innovation, develops solutions to specific challenges, such as scaling 
water -saving agricultural solutions, accelerating off -grid energy access in sub -Saharan Africa, and 
supporting  humanitarian assistance in complex emergencies. The Lab 's innovation discovery and 
testing programming specifically seeks to engage local innovators. Through 2018, the Lab supported 
over 1,100 development innovations through DIV, Grand Challenges for Deve lopment, and other 
programmes .  
2.2  Science and Technology Agreements  
25.  The United States utilizes science and technology (S&T) agreements as frameworks for 
increased international collaboration by facilitating cooperation between US technical agencies and 
foreign counterparts on topics including public health, watershed management, agriculture, 
environment and biodiversity protection, biotechnology, earth sciences, marine science, and 
alternative energy. These agreements support relationships that strengthen sci ence education 
systems, build institutional and human resource capacity, and promote a deeper appreciation of 
innovation and its role in technology transfer and commercialization. The United States supports 
program mes that strengthen institutional capacity  to translate research into commercial activity, 
while improving individual capacity to enter labour  markets ( see https://www.state.gov/key -topics -
office -of-science -and-technology -cooperation/ ). Through these efforts, US scientific and technical 
agencies and their counterparts  promote economic growth and jobs creation.  
2.3  Programming to Advance Entrepreneurship  
26.  The Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) is a unique opportunity for the Administration to 
promote economic prosperity and innovation around the globe. This US Government -led event 
combines entrepreneurs, investors, educators, and business representatives  who embody the full 
measure on entrepreneurial talent from diverse backgrounds across the United States and the world, 
including the developing world. GES 2019 took place in The Hague, the Netherlands in June and 
welcomed over 2,100 participants, includin g over 1,000 entrepreneurs from 142 countries and more 
than 350 investors. The Summit 's programme delivered over 50 content sessions and communicated 
the theme of "The Future Now " to highlight the role of current innovation in solving future challenges. 
Preceding GES 's have taken place in the United States twice, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, 
Malaysia, Morocco, Kenya, and India. More than 23,000 participants attended the nine Global 
Entrepreneurship Summits.   
2.4  Regional Program mes 
2.4.1   Smart Infrastructure for  the Mekong (SIM) - Lower Mekong Initiative  
27.  Founded in July 2013, the Smart Infrastructure for the Mekong (SIM) program me offers 
governments participating in the Lower Mekong Initiative (LMI) an array of technical advisory, 
capacity building, and support s ervices related to climate -smart, environmentally sound and socially 
equitable infrastructure, clean energy development, and land and/or water resources use related to 
sustainable management of the Mekong. Through a multi -agency US Government agreement , SIM 
has access to some of the US Government 's best engineers, scientists, and technical and policy 
experts to support such activities.  IP/C/W/656/Add.2  
 
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  2.4.1.1   One Health Capacity Building in the Lower Mekong – Myanmar, Thailand, Lao PDR, 
Cambodia, Viet Nam  
28.  Under the Lower Mekong Initiative (LMI), the US Department of State supported an October 
2018 Information Sharing Programme that brought 13 scientists and practitioners from Myanmar , 
Thailand, Lao PDR, and Cambodia to Houston, TX and Miami, FL. The activity transferred expertise  
and know -how related to vector -borne diseases (e.g., dengue, Zika, West Nile Virus).   
29.  The group 's itinerary was designed to focus on three common challenges: 1) bolstering 
cooperation between environmental management, public health, and health care; 2) s trengthening 
public outreach to affected communities; 3) incorporating innovative technologies and approaches 
to model, surveil, and control mosquito vectors. State and local governments are often the best 
places to see how to address these challenges and to understand how programmes work; the group 
also visited with community and academic partners in each locale.  
30.  The activity included transfer of expertise and know -how related to:  
• Distribution of mosquito traps and surveillance sites and use of data for ef fective targeting of 
mosquito control;  
• Creation and distribution of multi -lingual, science -based public information products;  
• Piloting of novel techniques for mosquito control, include "smart " (Internet of Things) devices 
as well as biological, chemical, a nd genetic techniques to control mosquito populations; and  
• Design of rigorous methods for testing effectiveness of novel techniques.  
31.  Results from the activity were used to frame and motivate the July 2019 LMI Young Scientist 
Program me in Vientiane, Lao PDR . The program me, which included 33 students and young 
professionals from Myanmar , Thailand, Lao PDR, Cambodia, and Viet  Nam, featured participants 
from the 2018 Information Sharing Program me as speakers and mentors for participants. The theme 
of the progra mme was teaching and motivating participants to build informatics tools to support 
vector -borne disease control in the region. Additionally, participants acquired knowledge related to 
ideation, design thinking, teamwork, and prototyping. One team will be a warded a seed grant to 
scale up their prototype at a conference in January 2020.  
32.  The programme evaluations indicate a high level of satisfaction with the programmes  Each 
week's content relevancy earned "satisfied " ratings from 75% or more of participants; several of the 
individual modules received "satisfied " ratings from more than 95% of participants.  
Scholar applauds LMI  
33.  A Laotian specialized in Epidemiology at Michigan State University recalled and shared her 
experiences about the memorable field trip to Savannakhet: "I have been working in public health 
area, and my works have had its focus just on immunization. I had no idea about the severity of 
Dengue outbreak in Lao  PDR before I joined the program me. LMI ope n my perspectives on a very 
importance issues such as vector borne diseases control and prevention. I got to meet brilliant 
entomologist from Cambodia and learned from them how to identify mosquitos. And I got to meet 
a mathematician from Thailand who taug ht me the principle of machine learning. " 
2.5  Country Projects  
2.5.1   mHero Mobile Communications Platform for Health Workers – Liberia  
34.  USAID works with the Ministry of Health (MOH) in Liberia to improve its ability to communicate 
priority information with frontline health workers and to receive feedback from health workers on 
priority issues as well as outbreaks. Communication during the Ebola outbreak was a critical 
challenge. To address this, USAID worked with MOH to integrate a text message platform, mHero, 
into their existing health information systems. This allows MOH to send information to health workers 
in specific counties in a matter of minutes. Today, mHero is used on a regular basis by the MOH to 
inform health governance and service delivery.  IP/C/W/656/Add.2  
 
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  2.5.2   WAHO West Afri can Health Informatics Team (WAHIT) - Burkina Faso  
35.  USAID works with the West African Health Organization and Economic Community of West 
African States (ECOWAS) Member States to improve their ability to fix, maintain, and adapt national 
level health information systems. Specifically, USAID has supported the launch of a West African 
Health Informatics Team (WAHIT) - an innovative technical assistance model to build local health 
informatics leadership in West Africa. WAHIT is a regional team comprised o f software developers 
and informatics experts whose mission is to provide on -demand technical assistance while building 
local software engineering capacity to support long -term sustainability of health information systems 
in the region.  In its first two ye ars of operations, 2018 and 2019, WAHIT has trained over 150 HIS  
(health information system ) experts, conducted ten missions to West African countries, and held 
three regional workshops to strengthen capacity on server administration, DHIS2 data 
administra tion and One Health data reporting.  
Government Officials Praise WAHIT  
36.  A Benin MOH informatics team (IT) official said that WAHIT 's three biggest strengths are 
"...preparation of the mission by seeking inputs from the country, division of tasks within the W AHIT 
team, and very good willingness to share knowledge. "  
37.  A Togo MOH IT official also talked about WAHIT 's three biggest strengths: "explanations of the 
benefits and disadvantages of the proposed solutions, availability of WAHIT, courtesy of WAHIT team 
member in their explanation. " 
38.  A Benin MOH IT official commented on the overall satisfaction with WAHIT: "Benin is satisfied 
with this valuable mission and awaits further support to improve the capacity and performance of 
its IT staff. " 
2.5.3   Private Sector Lauds U S Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) East Africa 
Enterprise Solutions Feasibility Study  
39.  USTDA awarded a feasibility study grant that will expand and improve access to 
telecommunications services in Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, and Tanzania. SEACOM Limited, the  
regional submarine communications cable operator, is the project 's grantee, and USTDA 's study will 
help determine where to expand ICT infrastructure in East Africa and assess the market for fibre 
telecommunications services and recommending potential inve stments in areas including fibre optic 
cabling and network equipment.  
Private Sector Lauds East Africa Enterprise Solutions Feasibility Study  
40.  SEACOM 's Chief Development Officer Suveer Ramdhani said: "USTDA has been a valued partner 
to SEACOM since its ear ly beginnings and has been fundamental to the launch and growth of the 
Internet in Africa. " 
2.5.4   IRI: Enhancing Fiscal Transparency in The Gambia  
41.  US Embassy Banjul, via the Fiscal Innovative Transparency Fund, funded USD 550,000 and 
USD 400,000 in FY 2018 and 2 019 respectively, to the DC -based International Republican Institute 
(IRI) for its work on fiscal transparency in The Gambia. The IRI will use this grant funding to train 
various Gambian government officials, media, and civil society to better operate with  fiscal 
transparency in mind. This grant intends to see the development of a legal framework for combatting 
a lack of fiscal transparency, as well as build capacity for future legal guidelines and understanding 
of public finance. On 19 July 2019, the IRI h eld a conference on the transparent management on 
the extractives industry in The Gambia, at which US Ambassador gave the opening remarks. This 
conference represented the launch of part of the grant purpose, which combats fraud and corruption 
in the extrac tives industry. Notably, the conference aimed to develop a legal framework for financial 
transparency in the extractives industry.  
2.5.5   Access to Information (A2I) – Bangladesh  
42.  USAID 's A21 programme aims to increase transparency, improve governance and reduce t he 
time, difficulty, and costs of obtaining government services for under -served communities of IP/C/W/656/Add.2  
 
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  Bangladesh. The objectives are to strengthen existing e -services and launch a second generation of 
integrated, inter -operable e -government applications, as well  as sensitize government officials, train 
service providers and expand digital literacy among the general public. The programme also forges 
strong policy and strategy links to ensure implementation of needed legal and regulatory changes 
in support of the a ctivity.  
43.  To decentralize delivery of public services and take them to the doorsteps of millions of 
underserved citizens, A2I established more than 5,321 Digital Centres across the country. The total 
projected investment in this project was USD 6.1 million . The project was completed in 2019. These 
centres  use modern technology to provide both free and fee -based access to public services, such 
as land records, birth registration, telemedicine, life insurance, passport and overseas job 
application, as well as  application to various other government services, and private services, 
including mobile financial services, insurance, various types of computer and vocational training.  
44.  During 2018, more than 39 million citizens received e -services across the country, a ccessing 
150 types of services more than 76 million times. The entrepreneurs running the Digital Centres 
have increased their incomes - more than half the centres  have earned more than BDT 15,000 per 
month, strengthening their sustainability. More than 3,000 centres  have been covered under the 
ek-Shop (rural assisted e -Commerce) platform intended to bring e -commerce services to the public. 
Some 50% of underserved c itizens have received e/m -payment for Social Safety Net services, and 
those without bank accounts or bank access have obtained financial services 3.5 million times. The 
access of the underserved citizen to any sort of information has been heightened throug h the 
Citizens ' Helpline 333 has received more than 1.5 million calls about such social problems as child 
marriage and food adulteration.  
45.  The use of Nothi (e -filling System) at the government offices has increased efficiency, 
accountability and transparen cy in movement of files and documents. More than 4,300 government 
offices have been using Nothi and have disposed of some four million cases through December 2018. 
The Agriculture Service Portal and Farmers ' Call Centre (3331) has offered information to mo re than 
8 million farmers on increasing production, quality food, market -oriented agriculture, and decent 
pricing.  
3  EDUCATIONAL AND UNIV ERSITY -LED PROGRAMS  
46.  US agencies such as the Department of State and USAID work closely with universities to 
encourage stu dent exchanges and other program mes that promote technology transfer and 
knowledge through harnessing the intellectual power of students to address challenges including 
climate variability, food security, and global health.  
3.1  Educational Enrolment in the US University System  
47.  The US university system constitutes a major avenue for technology transfer. Foreign students 
employ acquired knowledge and skills in their home countries.  
3.1.1   University Enrolment by Foreign Students  
48.  During the 201 7-2018 academic year, ther e were 3 4,123 students from LDCs enrolled in US 
institutions of higher education, representing an increase of 5% over the 201 6-2017 academic year, 
and 3% of the total US higher education international student enrolment. US institutions of higher 
education hosted many students from LDCs, including large numbers from Nepal (13,270 students) 
and Bangladesh (7,496 students). The top five most popular fields of study for international students 
in the United States in academic year 2017 -2018 were Engineering (232 ,710); Business and 
Management (196,054); Math and Computer Science (186,003); Social Sciences (83,708); and 
Physical and Life Sciences (78,700).  
3.2  Exchange Programming from the Department of State 's Bureau of Educational and 
Cultural Affairs  
49.  The Department of State 's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) designs and 
implements educational, professional, and cultural exchange program mes that increase mutual IP/C/W/656/Add.2  
 
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  understanding between people of the United States and the people of other countri es 
(see https://eca.state.gov/ ). 
3.2.1   Programming from ECA  
50.  Through its program mes, ECA enables students, exchange alumni, and young adults to pursue 
higher education, leadership, and professional development opportunities  globally. The Fulbright 
Programme  sponsors approximately 8,000 participants annually from the United States and more 
than 150 countries, many of whom do in -country work in LDCs. These programmes included 
participants in FY 2018 from almost every LDC count ry. The students enter the United States as 
non-immigrant exchange visitors ( "J-1"), which make them ineligible to remain in the United States 
after their studies.  Thus, students participating in these education program mes generally return to 
their home co untries, thereby bringing back knowledge and training.   
3.3  USAID 's Higher Education Solutions Network (HESN)  
51.  HESN, launched in 2012, is a constellation of eight development laboratories that promote the 
creation and application of new science, technology, and  engineering approaches to solve the world 's 
most challenging development problems. With USD 137 million over five years from USAID and 
leveraging nearly equal investments from the institutions, the universities established the 
laboratories by collaboratin g with a network that extends beyond 650 partner institutions in 
academia, civil society, and government across 69 countries, including developing countries. HESN 
Labs partner with institutions and support individual innovators in other countries and engag e entire 
communities of local innovators in problem -solving in order to ensure a culture of entrepreneurship 
will continue and grow (see http://www.usaid.gov/hesn/ ). 
3.3.1   HESN 2.0  
52.  In 2018, USAID launched several new programmes under the "HESN 2.0 " portfolio. HESN 2.0 
leverages a vast network of higher education institutions, local stakeholders, private enterprise, and 
other development actors to increase the use of scientific resear ch for development, refine and 
translate complex data, build local scientific potential, and test new and innovative development 
approaches. The original HESN programme and PEER programme are augmented by the Long -term 
Assistance and Services for Research (LASER) network, a myriad of technical experts organized by 
the Research Technical Assistance Center (RTAC), and an open source platform, the Science, 
Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships Annual Programme Statement (STIP APS).  
3.3.2   Long -term assistance and services for research (LASER)  
53.  LASER engages universities in co -created, long -term (typically one year or more), technical and 
research assistance with USAID Missions, Bureaus, and Independent Offices (M/B/IOs) as they seek 
to solve their most pressing deve lopment challenges. It allows interested USAID M/B/IOs the 
opportunity to rapidly access a network of international universities and associated researchers that 
are interested in refining and solving development challenges together with USAID. Through this  
network, LASER researchers ' partner with USAID M/B/IOs to identify new research questions, 
conduct demand -driven research, translate research results into development impact, and build 
technical and research capacity of universities and researchers in dev eloping countries. Beyond 
USAID M/B/IOs on their specific research needs, LASER independently identifies research questions 
that cross regions or sectors and then funds associated research activities to provide knowledge that 
will benefit USAID and the dev elopment community as a whole.  
3.3.3   Research technical assistance centre  (RTAC)  
54.  RTAC helps USAID Missions, Bureaus, and Independent Offices make evidence -based, strategic 
choices and programming decisions, drawing on the combined expertise of more than 250 acad emics 
affiliated with 128 organizations. RTAC provides technical assistance for USAID through preparation 
of in-depth research and evidence -based reports, development of easily understood research 
communication materials like summary reports or evidence -based policy briefs with recommended 
courses of action for USAID Missions, support for technical meetings such as expert panels, USAID 
stakeholder convenings, forums, and other gatherings in which the higher education community 
plays an important role, consu ltations to inform the research activities, monitoring and evaluation IP/C/W/656/Add.2  
 
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  plans, and programme designs outlined in USAID strategies and Project Appraisal Documents 
(PADs).  
3.3.4   US Global Development Lab 's Science, Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships 
Annual Programme Statement (STIP APS)  
55.  STIP APS - USAID 's Global Development Lab (the Lab) seeks to provide a flexible mechanism 
for USAID Missions, Bureaus, and Independent Offices (M/B/IOs) to co -create with global academic 
communities, NGOs, the private sector, an d other key stakeholders to 1) Generate targeted evidence 
and solutions around complex development challenges by sourcing new ideas and supporting 
interdisciplinary partnerships 2) Accelerate the translation of evidence to impact by facilitating 
collaborat ion between universities, implementers, local governments, the private sector, end -users; 
and 3) Strengthen global innovation and R&D ecosystems to support long -lasting development 
impact through individual and institutional capacity building.  
3.4  Common Pract ices for University -Led Technology Transfer  
56.  Common practices that encourage technology transfer from US universities include:  
• Publication of research results in open academic literature that is accessible globally through 
the Internet or other public syste ms, enabling the free -flow of research to be utilized by 
scientists, engineers, and researchers in all sectors;  
• Interaction between creators and users of new knowledge (e.g. through professional meetings, 
conferences, seminars, industrial liaison programme s and other venues);  
• Collaborative research projects;  
• Entrepreneurial activity of faculty and students outside the university without involving 
university -owned IP; and  
• Licensing of IP to established  firms and new start -up companies.  
3.5  Regional and Country Programs  
3.5.1   Department of State English Language Training – Madagascar  
57.  The US Department of State supports multiple initiatives to increase English language training 
in order to increase access to the in ternet, training opportunities and business. For example, in FY 
2019, US Embassy in Madagascar funded a full -time English Language Fellow for one year and placed 
two fellows at the University of Antananarivo.  
3.5.2   Environment Global Learning and Observations to  Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) 
– Togo  
58.  On 4 June 2018, the US Ambassador to Togo and the Togolese Environment Minister joined the 
GLOBE Implementation Office Director for an opening ceremony to commemorate a week of training 
on GLOBE protocols at the Amer ican Corner on the campus of the University of Lome. The 
Programme  is an international science and education programme managed by US National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) with support from the National Science Foundation 
(NSF), National Ocea nic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Department of State. GLOBE 
provides students and the public worldwide with the opportunity to participate in the collection of 
scientific data. The US Embassy facilitated Togo 's joining of the GLOBE network in 2018. In FY 2019, 
GLOBE activities took place at several pilot schools. GLOBE activities were also implemented by 
MoLab, the US Embassy 's mobile science lab.  
3.5.3   MoLab – Togo  
59.  MoLab is the US Embassy 's mobile S.T.E.M. (science,  technology, engineering and math fields) 
learning lab. Built by young Togolese inventors, it is a vehicle filled with science, engineering, 
chemistry, and math activities. The US Embassy and Contour Global, an American energy company 
with a plant in Togo,  financed MoLab. The vehicle runs as a non -profit organization. Its mission is to IP/C/W/656/Add.2  
 
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  bring STEM education to under -resourced rural schools, and it has a full calendar of activities  While 
MoLab continues to operate year -round, it is still looking to achieve fu ll financial independence . 
3.5.4   Female Tech Camp – Togo  
60.  Since 2014, the US Embassy 's Public Affairs Section has supported the organization of an event 
called Female Tech Camp, which encourages young Togolese women to be more active in STEM 
fields through speci alized training on coding, e -business, web design, and more. In its most recent 
editions, the event has attracted significant private sector support, including a major contribution 
from TogoCom, the country 's biggest internet operator. It also has strong s upport from The Minister 
of the Digital Economy, who in 2018 took the founder and several alumni to Paris for a technology 
conference called Viva Tech. The event has launched several successful e -businesses and 
applications. By August 2019, 300 girls acros s the country were trained at the tech camp .  
3.5.5   Robotics Bootcamp – Togo  
61.  US Embassy 's Robotics Bootcamp programme is a youth camp focusing on robotics, which 
features several young Togolese inventors in the robotics field. For example, one inventor uses a 
3-D printers to create prosthetic limbs, and another inventor deigned a robotic teacher for 
classrooms when teachers are absent. The bootcamp was held in August 2018 and trained 50 
participants generating increased interest in pursuing a career in STEM field s. 
3.5.6   NASA 's ARDC Training Programme – Senegal  
62.  Scientists from NASA and the Virginia -based engineering and technology company Analytical 
Mechanics Associates (AMA) led a workshop in Dakar on 18 and 19 April 2019, attended by more 
than 50 participants from ove r 25 government, nonprofit, and private organizations in Senegal. The 
aim of the workshop was to train organizations to analyse  earth observation data in support of 
development objectives like food security and water access. The workshop was part of a larg er 
project, the Africa Regional Data Cube (ARDC), which supplies satellite data to Kenya, Senegal, 
Sierra Leone, Ghana, and Tanzania. The ARDC also works to increase countries ' own capabilities to 
apply satellite information in response to local needs. In an example of how US -Senegalese 
cooperation can leverage cutting -edge technology to meet development goals, NASA and AMA 
experts will maintain contact with Senegalese users for day -to-day guidance and will provide online 
training later in the year based on  demand.  
4  COMMERCIAL AND LEGAL  PROGRAMMES TO STRENGTHEN CAPACI TY 
63.  US agencies such as the Commercial Law Development Programme (CLDP), National Institute 
of Standards and Technology (NIST), and others provide commercial law technical assistance to the 
govern ments and private sectors of developing and transitional countries. The program mes are 
demand -driven and customized to address priority issues in countries ' business climates. The 
program mes help improve the commercial, legal, and regulatory environments t o attract foreign 
investment and promote private sector -led growth and technology transfer.  
4.1  Country Projects  
4.1.1   Borlaug International Agricultural Science and Technology Fellowship Programme 
– Myanmar  
64.  USDA 's Borlaug Fellowship Programme promotes agricultural  productivity, food security, trade 
and economic growth by providing training and collaborative research opportunities to early and 
mid-career scientists, researchers, or policymakers from developing and middle -income countries. 
The proposed fellowship wou ld provide the selected candidate from the Ministry of Agriculture 's Plant 
Protection Division (PPD) an opportunity to conduct research on pest risk assessments (PRA) and 
provide insight into how the United States does PRAs, so they can better align their regulations to 
ours and help them to try to apply for the first access to the US market for fresh products (possibly 
mangoes). The increase in understanding will enhance the confidence of the US inspection and food 
safety system to Myanmar officials. In th e long run, such trust and confidence will greatly promote 
cooperation and facilitate trade. This will benefit the food industry in Myanmar that seeks export 
markets, and in turn increase imports of US goods, which is an initiative of national interest.  IP/C/W/656/Add.2  
 
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  65.  A USDA Borlaug Fellowship (2018) candidate and a staff officer from the Plant Protection 
Division successfully finished the research on pest risk assessments (PRA) at Michigan State 
University during 2 April - 24 June 2019.  
4.1.2   Department of State Criminal Just ice Reform/Law Enforcement Development – 
Myanmar  
66.  State Department 's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) 
provides financing to implementing partners (Myanmar 's Union Attorney General 's Office, Myanmar 
Police Force, and Supreme Court) to provide training and technical assistance to the law enforcement 
and justice sectors. This training strengthens criminal legislation and provides tools and practices to 
fight domestic crimes, transnatio nal organized crime, and corruption. It also includes working with 
financial intelligence units to prevent and investigate financial crimes and money laundering activity 
by training the Myanmar Police Force on the basic principles of community policing. Im plementation 
of the project will assist Myanmar criminal justice system to fight transnational criminal activity and 
corruption, and promote a more predictable justice system rooted in the rule of law and aligned with 
international standards. INL collabora tes with DEA on addressing precursor chemical flows and have 
donated MPF chemical detection devices to enhance counter narcotics -interdiction. Supported 
establishing ACC branch offices in Yangon and Mandalay as well as to the Department of 
Rehabilitation. Homeland Security Investigations have conducted first in -country training focusing 
on Human Trafficking investigations  
5  INTELLECTUAL PROPERT Y PROTECTION (IPR) A ND ENFORCEMENT CAPAC ITY 
BUILDING   
67.  US agencies, including the Department of State, the Department of Commerce 's International 
Trade Administration (ITA) (see http://www.trade.gov ), the Department of Homeland Security 
(DHS), US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) (see http://www.uspto.gov ) and others deliver IPR 
technical assistance program mes to LDCs to strengthen IPR protections and thus increase the 
likelihood of foreign direct investment (FDI).  
5.1  USPTO Training and Technical Assistance Collaborati on with International 
Organizations  
68.  USPTO offers training and technical assistance on IPR protection and enforcement to many 
countries, including LDCs. USPTO supports the LDC assistance efforts of international organizations 
such as with the Association o f Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the World Intellectual Property 
Organization (WIPO). For example, USPTO works with WIPO on its Re:Search  and WIPO Green 
programs, to promote access to IPR and technical know -how for relevant policy concerns, including 
neglected tropical diseases and environmentally -friendly technologies 
(see http://www.wipo.int/research/en/ , and https://webaccess.wipo.i nt/green/ ). USPTO also 
collaborates with ASEAN on Intellectual Property (IP) Capacity -Building Program mes, covering all 
areas of IP, in which LDCs participate.  
5.1.1   USPTO Global Intellectual Property Academy (GIPA)  
69.  USPTO provides IPR training at its state -of-the-art GIPA in Alexandria, Virginia and throughout 
the world. USPTO delivers targeted training to foreign IP office administrators, examiners, judges, 
prosecutors, customs officers, and other government and law enforcement officials.  Additional 
support is p rovided by IP Attaché Offices and the Departments of State and Commerce. A Rwanda 
government official is scheduled to attend a training on intellectual property in August 2019.  
70.  In FY 2019 GIPA conducted more than 120 training, technical assistance, and ca pacity building 
programmes for over 9,000 participants from over 110 different countries, including the following 
LDCs: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan,  Cambodia, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, The 
Gambia, Guinea, Lao  PDR, Lesotho, Liberia, Malaw i, Mali, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Senegal, 
Sierra Leone, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Vanuatu, Zambia. (For more information about GIPA, see 
www.uspto.gov/gipa ). 
71.  Notably, in July 2019, GIPA conducted a Workshop on Technology Transfer and Management of 
Government Intellectual Property at its Alexandria, Virginia headquarters, in cooperation with the IP/C/W/656/Add.2  
 
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  World Intellectual Property Organization and AUTM. Government offic ials from both Cambodia and 
The Gambia took active part in the program me.  
72.  In October 2018, USPTO together with the ASEAN Secretariat conducted a workshop in 
Bangkok, Thailand on Promoting Excellence of Collective Management Organizations in 
Transparency, Accountability and Governance for the ASEAN region. Officials from Cambodia, 
Lao PDR and Nepal participated.  
73.  In October 2018, USPTO GIPA hosted a global program me at its headquarters, Intellectual 
Property Protection for Designs: An International Perspect ive. Officials from Cambodia, Lao  PDR, 
and Nepal participated.  
74.  In November 2018, USPTO with the IP Attaché Office in Bangkok, Thailand and the ASEAN 
Secretariat organized a regional Workshop on IP Enforcement and Public Awareness. Officials from 
Myanmar , Cambodia and Lao PDR  participated.  
75.  In November 2018, USPTO with the International Union for the Protection of Plants (UPOV) 
organized a programme in Windhoek, Namibia for ARIPO members. Officials from Lesotho, Sierra 
Leone, Sudan, Tanzania, The Gambia, Uga nda and Zambia participated.  
76.  In January 2019, USPTO with UPOV organized a multiregional Workshop on Drafting Legislation 
in Accordance with the UPOV Convention in Geneva, Switzerland. Officials from Afghanistan, 
Myanmar , Cambodia, and Zambia participated.  
77.  In February 2019, USPTO with the ASEAN Secretariat organized a regional Advanced Workshop 
on Three -Dimensional and Other Non -Traditional Marks, a Trademark programme held in Kuala 
Lumpur, Malaysia. Officials from Myanmar , Cambodia and Lao PDR  participated .  
78.  In April 2019, USPTO together with EUIPO and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and 
US Department of Justice, conducted an Asia Regional Workshop on Trade in Counterfeit Food, 
Beverages, Cosmetics, and Fast -Moving Consumer Goods in Ho Chi Minh Ci ty, Viet  Nam. Officials 
from Myanmar , Cambodia, Lao PDR , Nepal and Vanuatu participated.  
79.  In April 2019, USPTO together with Department of Justice ICHIP Africa Office and the African 
Regional Intellectual Property Office (ARIPO) conducted an Africa Regiona l Intellectual Property 
Enforcement Training for Judicial Instructors in Gaborone, Botswana. Officials from Lesotho, Liberia, 
Malawi, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, The Gambia, and Zambia participated.  
80.  Another multiregional programme held at the USPT O GIPA headquarters, Advanced Trademark 
Examination Training, convened trademark examiners and officials, including those from Cambodia 
and Uganda, for an in -depth programme lasting eight days in June 2019.  
81.  In June 2019, USPTO, together with the Departmen t of Justice ICHIP Africa Office and the US 
Embassy in Senegal, conducted a Workshop to Build Enforcement Capability and Improve 
Coordination in Combatting Pharmaceutical Crimes and Illicit Pesticides in Dakar, Senegal. Officials 
from Burundi, Chad, Democr atic Republic of the Congo , Guinea, Mali, Mauritania and Senegal 
participated.  
82.  In June 2019, USPTO with the ASEAN Secretariat and the US Department of Justice conducted 
an ASEAN -regional Workshop for Public Prosecutors on IP criminal enforcement. Officials  from 
Myanmar , Cambodia, and Lao PDR  participated.  
83.  In August 2019, USPTO GIPA hosted a global programme at its headquarters, IP Office 
Administration Training. Officials from Bangladesh, Myanmar , Cambodia, Lao PDR , Nepal 
participated.  
84.  In September 2019, U SPTO with the ASEAN Secretariat conducted an ASEAN -regional Workshop 
on Utilizing Alternate Dispute Resolution in Intellectual Property Disputes in Manila, Philippines. 
Officials from Cambodia, Lao PDR , and Nepal participated.  IP/C/W/656/Add.2  
 
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  85.  In September 2019, USPTO with  the ASEAN Secretariat and the US Department of Justice 
conducted an Asia Regional Workshop on IP Border Enforcement in Bangkok, Thailand.  
5.1.2   USPTO IP e -Learning Modules  
86.  In FY 2019, GIPA continued its nearly decade -long commitment to produce and maintain 
in-depth, on -demand content through free distance -learning modules on the USPTO website. These 
modules are available in five languages and cover six different areas of IP protection. New modules 
and micro -learning videos include an updated video, "Introductio n to Patent Protection, " and a short, 
"Trade Secrets. " Both are available on the GIPA website and on GIPA 's YouTube playlist. This 
on-demand content collectively has drawn more than 85,000 unique views.  
5.1.3    USPTO Intellectual Property Attaché Training and Technical Assistance  
87.  USPTO posts IP Attachés at select US embassies and consulates around the world. These 
Attachés work with host governments, academia, advocacy groups, international organizations, 
non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the private s ector to provide IPR technical assistance 
and capacity building programs.  Programmes have focused on IPR enforcement, as well as patent, 
trademark, and copyright policy engagement and best practices (see 
http://www.uspto.gov/ip/global/attache/index.jsp ). 
5.1.4   USPTO Patents for Humanity Program me 
88.  The USPTO Patents for Humanity programme encourages assistance to LDCs by providing 
business incentives for patent owners and licensees to apply their technology towards humanitarian 
purposes. Participants submit descriptions of how they are improving lives in five broad categories 
of global chal lenges: household energy, living standards, medicine, nutrition, and sanitation. 
Independent experts review submissions and recommend awards. Winners receive accelerated 
processing of a patent application or certain other matters. (See 
http://www.uspto.gov/patentsforhumanity ). The latest award winners were honoured  at a ceremony 
at USPTO in Alexandria Virginia 27 November 2018 (for video recording, and more information, see 
https://www.uspto.gov/patent/initiatives/patents -humanity ). Those honoured  include:  
• US National Institutes of Health for creating a low -cost, temperature tolerant rotavirus vaccine 
and teaching  Indian manufact urers how to produce it, with 3.8 million doses ordered by the 
government of India 's childhood immunization program;  
• Because International for distributing 180,000 pairs of resizable shoes in over 95 countries, 
with local manufacturing  taking place in Eth iopia and plans for Haiti and Kenya;  
• Brooklyn Bridge to Cambodia Inc. for creating an affordable rice planting device that helps 
Cambodian  farmers improve their crop yields, and which minimizes the number of farmers, 
mostly women, who have to work in the most exhausting and unhealthy conditions;  
• Russell Crawford for creating tools for low -cost drilling of water wells to reach deep aquifers 
free from soil contaminants;  
• Little Sparrows Technologies for creating a portable low -cost phototherapy device for t reating 
jaundice in infants, which causes 100,000 new-born deaths a year;  
• Kinnos Inc. for creating time -sensitive colour  chemicals to ensure proper disinfection 
procedures by health workers in Ebola treatment centres  and other health care settings;  
• Solight Design for designing a portable solar light that has been distributed to over 200,000 
people worldwide including many in refugee camps; and 
• Medtronic for creating a portable, low -water kidney dialysis machine for potential use in a wide 
variety of care settings, including those that lack the infrastructure required for traditional 
dialysis.  IP/C/W/656/Add.2  
 
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  5.2   Country Projects  
5.2.1    Capacity Building Programme for IP Stakeholders with focus on enforcement 
officials – Bangladesh  
89.  The USPTO New Delhi Attaché office has taken steps to strengthen overall IPR regime and 
incorporate strong IPR as part of high -level industrial policies in Bangladesh. The IP Attaché 's Office 
in New Delhi provided IP border enforcement training for senior customs officials from Bangladesh. 
The goal of the training was to facilitate an exchange of best practices in order to improve protection 
and enforcement of IP laws in the region.  
5.2.2   USPTO IPR Training – Madagascar  
90.  USPTO, with the support of the Department o f State, provided training to the Malagasy Office 
for Industrial Property (OMAPI) and to practitioners in August 2019. The Trademark Examination 
training equipped OMAPI staff to improve protection of IP in order to benefit US companies - and all 
businesses  – investing in Madagascar.  
5.2.3   USPTO IPR Training - Bangladesh  
91.  In August 2019, USPTO organized an IPR Workshop for Bangladesh at the USPTO GIPA 
headquarters. The programme provided a strong overview of IP issues as they relate to border 
protection and interd iction of pirated and counterfeit goods. Participants were Bangladeshi law 
enforcement officials, namely customs and police.  
5.2.4   USPTO IPR Training – Myanmar  
92.  In July 2019, USPTO organized a Training Workshop on Brand Protection and Customs 
Enforcement in Yango n, Myanmar  at the Myanmar  Customs Training Center with PSI and INTA and 
support from the IP Attaché Bangkok. Participants were Burmese Enforcement and Customs Officials.  
5.2.5   Capacity Building Programme on Customs Enforcement - Cambodia  
93.  The USPTO Bangkok Attach é Office held a training programme for Cambodia customs officials 
on how to develop and implement a computerized system for custom recordation. The goal of the 
programme is to improve the effectiveness of the border measures and IPR enforcement 
mechanisms in Cambodia.  
5.2.6   Department of State Programming - IPR Unplugged Event – Cambodia  
94.  On World Intellectual Property Day, the Bophana Center held a USD 2,200 US Department of 
State funded concert in celebration. Focusing on empowering women in innovation and creativity, 
the event featured popular Cambodian singer -songwriter Nikki who played music and talked about 
the importance of IP protections. The audience consisted primarily of members of the business, 
legal, government, and academic communities that have a stake in strong IP protections. The 
objectives of this event included raising awareness about the importance of IPR in protecting 
businesses and society as a whole, as well as empowering women and innovation.  
5.2.7   Department of State Programming - Rebuilding the Cambodian Music Industry - On-
Demand International Visitor Leadership Programme (IVLP)  
95.   The "Rebuilding the Cambodian Music Industry " IVLP on -demand leveraged the popularity and 
reach of ten popular figures in the Cambodian music industry to highlight the importance of 
intellectual property rights (IPR) and its value to American entertainment and cultural innovation. 
On their tour through Washington D.C., Austin, Texas, and Los Angeles, California, the musicians 
learned about copyright basics, alternati ve pricing models, and music business ventures with a 
special focus on IPR. Through engagement with lawyers, musicians, copyright activists, the 
programme aimed to educate the participants on how to protect their original cultural contributions 
to Cambodia 's burgeoning original music scene. This programme supports American companies ' 
efforts to prevent pirating of American IPR in Cambodia. This programme helped the participants 
understand the key professional, governmental and personal steps necessary to tr ansition from IP/C/W/656/Add.2  
 
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  artists and music lovers to full -fledged business owners. One participant noted that the programme 
completely changed their view of copyright and creative rights.  
5.2.8   Global Cybercrime, IPR, and Cybercrime Foreign Law Enforcement Training and 
Technical Assistance Initiative  
96.  A USD 5  million  INL-funded, DOJ -led cybercrime and IPR training programme is administered 
cooperatively by  the DOJ  Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development Assistance and Training 
(OPDAT) and the DOJ Computer Crime and Int ellectual Property Section (CCIPS). OPDAT provides 
justice sector assistance around the world through bi -lateral and regional development programmes 
to build the capacity of partner law enforcement agencies to combat a number of international 
crimes, inclu ding cybercrime and IPR crime, through close partnership with INL, CCIPS and other 
US and foreign law enforcement partners.  
97.  These programmes enable the Department of Justice to continue to support International 
Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property La w Enforcement Advisors (ICHIPs) as they coordinate 
and deliver IPR and computer crime prosecutorial and judicial training and technical assistance; 
deliver regional training workshops to foreign enforcement officials to improve their capacity to 
cooperate with US law enforcement in the sharing of electronic evidence; and enable the US 
Transnational and High Tech Crime Global Law Enforcement Network (GLEN), of which the ICHIPs 
are a part, coordinate delivery of US Government  regional cybercrime and IP crime training 
workshops to foreign law enforcement officials to improve their capacity to cooperate with US law 
enforcement in cybercrime and IP theft investigations and prosecutions involving transnational 
organized crime.  
5.2.9   Preventing Counterfeits in Mali  
98.  Mali is experiencing a proliferation of illegal agricultural inputs. These agro inputs include 
adulterated or counterfeited seeds, fertilizers, vaccines, farm equipment, and crop protection 
products. These products can be extre mely harmful, affecting both farmers ' revenues and national 
food security but also likely causing environmental damage that can extend to water supplies. In 
order to protect the rural and agricultural communities being affected by this problem, CLDP works 
with FTF and the Government of Mali to implement best practices in the oversight of the movement 
of agricultural products and to raise public awareness of the dangers of fake products. A solution to 
prevent counterfeiting and improve consumer education is  Mobile Product Authentication (MPA™) 
technology. Product authentication works at point of purchase: on the product, the consumer finds 
a special security label with a panel that, when scratched, reveals a unique, one -time use PIN. The 
PIN is texted for fre e to a secure phone number and the consumer will receive a text message (SMS) 
reply stating that the product is genuine, or potentially fake or stolen.  
99.  The project, still in progress until September 2020, has already achieved notable improvement 
in Malian  stakeholders ' understanding of the impact of counterfeits. The project has also facilitated 
implementation of a national database administered jointly by Malian Customs, the Malian 
Intellectual Property Office (CEMAPI), and the Malian Copyright Office (BU MDA) where producers 
and importers can register brands/trademarks to facilitate the seizure of counterfeited products.  
Government Official Lauds Law Enforcement workshop in Senegal  
100.  Representatives from the US Departments of State, Justice, and Homeland Sec urity held a 
four-day workshop for law enforcement and regulatory officials from 11 francophone African 
countries from 11 to 14 June 2019 in Dakar on combatting illicit pharmaceuticals and pesticides. 
Participants discussed challenges and best practices in  protecting intellectual property rights (IPR) 
and prosecuting IPR crimes in Central and West Africa with US and foreign government experts and 
private sector representatives. The Communications Counsellor for the Senegalese Intellectual 
Property Protectio n Agency, commented that the seminar was an effective measure to increase the 
technical capacity of law enforcement officials to understand the risks of the illicit pharmaceutical 
trade.  
5.3  IPR Enforcement Coordination  
101.  The US Immigration and Customs Enforceme nt/Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) leads 
the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Centre (IPR Centre), which works to protect IP/C/W/656/Add.2  
 
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  public health and safety and the US economy, and to stop predatory and illegal trade practices that 
threaten the global economy. The IPR Centre brings together 2 5 partner agencies, consisting of 
20 federal agencies, INTERPOL, EUROPOL, and the governments of Canada and Mexico along with 
the City of London Police in a task -force setting. The task force structure en ables the IPR Centre to 
effectively leverage the resources, skills, and authorities of each partner and provide a 
comprehensive response to IP theft (see https://www.iprcenter.gov/ ). The IPR Centre 's Operation 
Joint Venture (OJV) trains domestic and international law enforcement to build strong enforcement 
capabilities. The IPR Centre, through the financial support of Department of State 's Bureau of 
International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), provide s IPR enforcement capacity 
building training to many countries, including LDCs.  
5.3.1   National IPR Coordination Center (IPR Center)  
102.  The National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center) works closely with 
partner agencies, overseas IP Attach és, and US embassies to deliver training and support capacity 
building. In FY 201 9, the IPR Center participated in 16 international trainings in support of 
country -specific and regional programmes that are funded by INL. From 12 to 14 September 2017, 
the I PR Center, in collaboration with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)/Homeland 
Security Investigations (HSI) Attaché Dakar and Department of Justice (DOJ) Intellectual Property 
Law Enforcement Coordinator (IPLEC) - Abuja, Nigeria, provided IPR Enforce ment Training for 
customs, police officers and prosecutors from Benin, Guinea, Liberia, Senegal, Sierra Leone and The 
Gambia. With the approval of INL and the aforementioned country officials, this training was 
combined into a joint regional training for a ll countries in Dakar, Senegal. Participants received 
presentations from HSI, DOJ, and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) subject matter experts, as 
well as industry. The training emphasized; 1) health and safety issues related to IP crime; 2) the 
need fo r cooperation between countries/agencies; 3) the leading role of international organized 
crime groups in IP crime and; 4) the developing threat of IP crime on the Internet. There were a 
total of 40 participants who attended and received certificates of com pletion. Additionally, the IPR 
Center participated in 77  international outreach events.  
5.3.2   StopFakes.gov  
103.  The Department of Commerce developed and maintains a website that hosts online resources, 
including information about key US agencies and programmes (see http://www.stopfakes.gov/ ) 
aimed at helping businesses protect IPR. The IPR Training Module, hosted on STOPfakes, is available 
in English, French, and Spanish. The United States encourages LDCs to use the module, which 
familiarizes small businesses with IP issues, and provides tips on how to protect and enforce IPR. 
LDCs and other countries can use this resource free of charge. Inventors, investors, and 
businesspersons from the United States and around the world ma y use the "Contact Us " function on 
the website to ask questions about IPR enforcement. Additionally, STOPfakes enables businesses to 
report IPR trade barriers and enforcement issues to the Department of Commerce.  
6  TRADE AND INVESTMENT  POLICY, CAPACITY BU ILDING, AND INCENTIVES  
104.  Because most technology is developed and owned by the private sector, technology transfers 
are often private sector decisions. Technology transfer should not be required as a precondition for 
investment.  
6.1  Investment and Trade Policy Ne gotiations  
105.  US bilateral and multilateral free trade agreements aim to improve the protection and 
enforcement of IP, thereby improving environments for foreign investment and technology transfer 
often associated therewith.  
6.1.1   Bilateral Investment Treaties  
106.  US bilateral investment treaties (BITs) establish a framework of reciprocal protections that 
include the free transfer of investment -related funds, investor -state dispute arbitration rights, 
limitations on specified performance requirements, non -discrimina tory treatment, protection against 
expropriation, and transparency in governance. These treaties improve the climate for FDI in partner 
countries that can lead to the transfer of technology and know -how. To date, the United States had IP/C/W/656/Add.2  
 
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  signed five BITs with  WTO Member LDCs: Bangladesh, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 
Mozambique, Rwanda, and Senegal.  As of August 2018, the United States also has a Trade and 
Investment Working Group (TIWG) with Kenya.  
6.1.2   Trade and Investment Framework Agreements  
107.  USTR -negotiated  Trade and Investment Framework Agreements (TIFAs) enhance trade 
relations between the United States and other countries. Over the last several years, the 
United  States has launched 13 trade and investment agreements in sub -Saharan Africa, including 
three bilateral TIFAs with LDCs: Angola, Mozambique, and Rwanda. Additionally, the United States 
has launched regional TIFAs with the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), 
East African Community (EAC), the Economic Community of West African Sta tes (ECOWAS), and 
West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA); and a Trade, Investment, and Development 
Cooperative Agreement with the five countries of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU). The 
United States also has bilateral agreements with se veral LDCs outside of Sub -Saharan Africa, 
including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Nepal, and Yemen, as well as 
with ASEAN and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). Together, these agreements cover 30 WTO 
LDC Members: Afghanistan, Angola , Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, Myanmar, Burundi, 
Cambodia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Haiti, 
Lao PDR, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Nepal, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, 
Sierra  Leone, Tanzan ia, Togo, Uganda, Yemen, and Zambia (see https://ustr.gov/trade -
agreements/trade -investment -framework -agreements/ ).  
108.  The United States views trade as an effective mean s to encourage broad -based economic 
development. Trade constitutes an important means of sustaining momentum for economic reform 
and liberalization. It affords developing countries access to technologies that would otherwise be 
difficult to obtain, and sim ultaneously opens new market opportunities for US companies.  
6.2  Trade Preference Program mes 
6.2.1   US Generalized System of Preferences Program me 
109.  The US Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program me, established in 1976, promotes 
economic development by providing duty -free access to the US market for a wide range of products 
from developing countries. GSP promotes sustainable development in beneficiary countries via trade 
with the United States. The programme is periodically re -authorized by Congress and is currently 
set to expire on 31 December 2020. GSP benefits 12 0 developing countries and territories and 
provides special, additional benefits for products from 31 least  developed WTO Member benefici ary 
countries. Nearly 5,000 types of products are eligible for duty -free treatment under GSP, including 
most manufactured products (except apparel and footwear), agricultural and fishery products, 
consumer products, chemicals, minerals, and building materi als (see https://ustr.gov/issue -
areas/trade -development/preference -programs/generalized -system -preference -gsp). 
6.2.2   African Growth and Opportun ity Act  
110.  The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) expands US -Africa trade and investment, by 
promoting open markets, stimulating economic growth, and encouraging sub -Saharan Africa 's 
integration into the global economy, while supporting progress toward  good governance, poverty 
reduction, and respect for human rights through its eligibility criteria. Since the enactment of AGOA 
in 2000, the United States has worked closely with African governments, the private sector, and civil 
society stakeholders to he lp them make the most of AGOA 's trade benefits. In 2015, the US Congress 
renewed the AGOA legislation for its longest extension period to date, through 2025. The US 
Government  has actively promoted AGOA throughout Africa, developing trade capacity -buildin g 
programmes to help African governments and both African and US firms identify and develop new 
market opportunities through AGOA (see https://agoa.info/about -agoa/ ). As of August 201 9, 
39 countries are eligibl e for AGOA:  Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, 
Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Cote d 'Ivoire, Djibouti, Eswatini, Ethiopia, 
Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Ma lawi, 
Mali, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda 
(limited benefits), Sao Tome & Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, 
Uganda, and Zambia.  IP/C/W/656/Add.2  
 
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  6.3  Programming from the US Trade and Develop ment Agency  
111.  The US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) connects the US private sector with 
infrastructure projects in developing and middle -income countries. USTDA also supports overseas 
infrastructure development by funding feasibility studies, technical  assistance and pilot projects. 
These early -stage preparation activities lay the groundwork for projects to attract financing and 
reach implementation.  
112.  Recognizing the importance of trade to LDC growth, USTDA works closely with other US 
Government agencies  as well as regional and multilateral development banks to develop trade 
capacity and apply private -sector solutions to development challenges around the world . As of 
25 July 2019, USTDA has obligated or reserved USD 9.3 million in appropriated funds and 
USD 1.5 million in transfer funds in FY 2019 (from the US Department of State for the US -Africa 
Clean Energy Finance Initiative) in support of assistance activities that enhance increased trade and 
investment in LDCs.  
6.3.1   USTDA Reverse Trade Missions  
113.  Another e xample of USTDA 's commitment to promoting and encouraging technology transfer 
to LDCs is through reverse trade missions (RTMs). RTMs bring key foreign decision makers to the 
United States to observe the design, manufacture, and operation of US equipment an d technologies 
in advance of major procurements. In FY 2019, USTDA conducted the following RTMs involving LDCs:  
West Africa Smart Grid Reverse Trade Mission  
114.  This RTM took place from 25 November to 4 December 2018, and introduced officials from 
Côte d 'Ivoire, Ghana, Senegal, and the West Africa Power Pool to US technologies that support smart 
grid and microgrid projects in West Africa. Delegates participated in meetings and site visits with US 
firms active in the microgrid and energy storage sectors and  expressed great interest in US services 
and technologies.  
Senegal Liquefied Natural Gas Reverse Trade Mission  
115.  This RTM took place from 29 September to 11 October 2018, and introduced public and private 
sector officials from Senegal 's power sector to US l iquefied natural gas (LNG) technologies, services, 
and equipment.  
East Africa Cybersecurity Reverse Trade Mission  
116.  This RTM took place from 28 October to 8 November 2018, and focused on cyber solutions for 
commercial and public banks, as well as government  financial institutions in East Africa. The RTM 
provided US firms with the opportunity to showcase their technologies, services, and best practices 
in cybersecurity and connected them with public and private sector representatives from Kenya and 
Rwanda. Th e international project sponsors expressed confidence that these US services and 
technologies would be able to address their needs.  
6.4  Country Projects  
6.4.1   USAID Mobile Solutions, Technical Assistance, and Research (mSTAR) – Liberia  
117.  USAID supports the Government of Liberia to roll out mobile salary payments for Ministry of 
Education and MOH workers. With mobile salary payments, these workers no longer need to leave 
their workplaces to receive their salaries. Since mSTAR launched, 3,724 education and 1,1 80 health 
workers have enrolled to receive mobile money salary payments in 14 counties. They have been 
able to save on average 33 hours and  LRD 1,500 per month in picking up their salaries, which 
translates into increased income and more time attending to health and education facilities in their 
communities.  The mSTAR programme in Liberia closed in March of 2018, but efforts on behalf of the 
USAID Mission in Liberia to support digital development remain.  IP/C/W/656/Add.2  
 
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  Government Officials Praise mSTAR  
• A Liberian governm ent official said: "Currently in Liberia, because of bad road network and 
even the limited banking system in our country, health workers find it very difficult moving 
from one facility to another in receiving their salary so this is the reason why we thoug ht it was 
wise to introduce another option for them, because there are a lot of challenges. " "So, for us 
at the Ministry of Health, or as the government, we are very happy to embrace this process in 
order to reduce the challenges our health workers face. " 
• A Salayae District Health Office said, "Mobile money will be good for my employees because of 
the distance they cover to go for their salary. " 
• The Director of Pay at Benefits and Pension, Civil Service Agency "Mobile money process is 
what everyone should b e gearing toward because it makes a lot sense…if you compare mobile 
money with any other mode of payment, anyone will choose mobile money. "  
Civil Servants Laud mSTAR  
• A Nimba County  Teacher said: "Mobile money transfer has drastically reduced our 
transport ation problem for collecting  our salaries. " 
• Another Nimba County Teacher "The problem of spending [too much] time at the bank to collect 
our salaries  has been taken care of by mobile money salary payment. " 
6.4.2   USAID Development Innovations – Cambodia  
118.  USAID 's Development Innovations enables innovation by building civil society 's capacity to 
design and implement information and communications technology (ICT) solutions to accomplish 
their missions, and works to sensitize technologists and technology companies to the needs of Chief 
Security Officers (CSOs). Recent examples of grants include the development of smart phone app 
"Khmer Smart Keyboard " which enables Cambodians to type in Khmer, thus granting them wider 
access to information, and a grant to promote the use of cell phones for widely disseminating fees 
for public services, in order to counter corruption and promote transparency ; and a gran t to scale 
up deployment of a flood warning system called "Tepmachcha " that provides flood monitoring alerts 
to subscribers in the community on flooding, which is one way to help them mitigate the risk when 
the flood actually comes. 26,018 beneficiaries (i ncluding 163 CSOs) are using ICT -based solutions 
because of engagement with the US Government.  Through this approximately USD 10  million  
program, 50 ICT solutions were developed and implemented, and reached more than 1.4 million 
direct beneficiaries, of wh om 39  % were female. Key successes in FY 2019: developed and delivered 
fee-based training courses on video production and social media management to more than 500 
trainees; supported 443 young girls, through the Technovation training program, to learn busi ness, 
coding, prototyping, communication and teamwork skills. The programme is ongoing until 
30 November  2019.  
Doctor Praises USAID 's ICT System  
119.  A Lake Clinic TLC medical team doctor said: "Since going from paper to digital, the new EMR 
has allowed the me dical team to see more patients. The digital system allows us to take only five to 
ten minutes to complete service delivery for each patient. Before, it was 15 minutes or more: " 
https://www.development -innovations.org/success -stories/transitioning -from-paper -to-digital -
delivers -improved -health -services/ . 
7  DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMM ING AND INCENTIVES T HROUGH PRIVATE SECTO R MODELS  
120.  Through the use of the public -private partnership (PPP) model, US development agencies have 
gained additional financial resources for development activities, as well as new technologies, 
intellectual capital and technical and managerial expertise tha t address emerging development 
challenges.  
7.1  Development Assistance Programming from the Millennium Challenge Corporation 
(MCC)  
121.  The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) is a US Government corporation  that forms 
partnerships with some of the world 's poorest  countries, but only those committed to good IP/C/W/656/Add.2  
 
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  governance, economic freedom, and investments in their citizens. MCC provides countries with 
large-scale grants to fund country -led solutions for achieving its mission of reducing poverty through 
sustainable eco nomic growth. MCC has approved over USD 13 billion in compact and threshold 
programmes worldwide that support projects in energy, agriculture and irrigation, anticorruption, 
business environment improvements, education, health, enterprise development, fina nce, land 
rights, trade and transport, and water supply and sanitation initiatives. MCC is currently 
implementing compact agreements or threshold programmes with seven WTO LDC Members: Benin, 
Liberia, Nepal, Niger, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo. In the p ast, MCC has implemented compact 
and/or threshold programmes with Benin, Burkina Faso, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mali, Mozambique, 
Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda, Vanuatu  and Zambia . Currently, MCC is developing new 
programmes with Burkina Faso, The G ambia, Lesotho, Malawi, and Solomon Islands (see 
http://www.mcc.gov/ ). 
7.1.1   Togo Threshold Program  
122.  MCC's Togo Threshold Programme signed on 14 February 2019, includes a USD 20.5 million 
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Project designed to improve citizens ' access to 
high quality and affordable Internet and Communications Technology (ICT) services —both mobile 
phone services and Internet —by encouraging private sector investment, developing an  independent 
regulatory regime, expanding service to underserved areas, and increasing the use of ICT among 
women and small businesses. Producer framework and power sector restructuring implemented by 
the Government of Malawi with technical assistance from  the compact, more independent power 
producers are expected to enter the market. These challenging reforms have fuelled  great progress 
in establishing a healthier power sector and expanding opportunity for the people of Togo. By 
strengthening this vital se ctor, the Government of Togo is building a foundation for the delivery of 
reliable electricity to more households, schools, and businesses to power the country 's long -term 
economic growth and reduce poverty.  
Prime Minister Lauds MCC  
123.  Togo Prime Minister sai d: "The two areas covered by the threshold program, namely land and 
information and communication technologies, are very important areas and part of a major reform 
programme initiated by our own country. We are delighted to have taken in hand these areas t hat 
you have identified,  and which are part of our partnership namely the MCC partnership. " 
7.1.2   MCC Malawi Compact  
124.  Malawi 's USD 350.7 million MCC compact was a single -sector programme designed to increase 
individual and business incomes and reduce poverty by i mproving the availability, reliability and 
quality of the power supply, expanding access to power, reducing the cost of doing business, and 
revitalizing Malawi 's power sector. The compact was composed of three projects to increase the 
capacity, efficiency,  and stability of the national electricity grid and the capacity and sustainability 
of hydropower generation at the Nkula A generation plant. The Government of Malawi also invested 
in new power generation capacity by completing the construction of the Kapi chira II hydropower 
plant. Project activities aimed to enhance future expansion opportunities by strengthening sector 
institutions, enhancing sector regulation and governance, and creating an attractive environment 
for private sector investment. The compac t was designed to reduce energy costs for businesses and 
households; improve productivity in the agriculture, manufacturing and service sectors; and 
preserve and create employment opportunities.  
7.2  Global Development Alliance Model  
125.  Since 2001, Global Developm ent Alliances (GDAs) have been USAID 's premier model for 
public -private partnerships, helping to improve the social and economic conditions in developing 
countries and deepen USAID 's development impact.  As the private sector plays an increasingly 
critical role in shaping sustainable economic and social development, USAID continues to engage 
corporations, local businesses, financial institutions, investment firms, private foundations and 
others as core partners in our efforts to drive economic growth, reduce  poverty, and improve 
business outcomes in developing countries. In addition to a strong and essential focus on 
development impact, GDAs have several other core characteristics, including but not limited to: 
1). Based on Complementary Interests and Objecti ves; 2). Market -Based Approaches and Solutions; IP/C/W/656/Add.2  
 
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  3). Extensive Co -Creation and Shared Responsibility; and 4). Private Sector Contributions for 
Increased Impact.  
7.3  Country Projects  
7.3.1   Tworore Inkoko Twunguke – Rwanda  
126.  University of Tennessee Institute of Agricult ure (UTIA), implementing partner of a USAID 
funded poultry Global Development Alliance "Tworore Inkoko Twunguke, " provided technical training 
on broiler chicken production technologies and value chain management to five staff of Zamura 
Feedmill. The main p urpose of the training was to build local capacity in broiler production 
technologies and strengthen extension services given to broiler producers. The five broiler 
technicians were trained in the following areas: training of trainers in broiler production , broiler 
chicken health, efficient use of feed, biosecurity for broiler chicken, environmental health, project 
monitoring, nutrition behaviour , and change communication. As a result of this activity, availability 
of extension services for broiler farmers in Musanze District have increased and as of March 2019, 
262 broiler farmers in vulnerable households in Musanze District were trained and are applying 
broiler production technologies.  
7.3.2   Sproxil Public Private Partnership – Mali 
127.  In order to protect the rural and agricultural communities being affected by counterfeit 
products, CLDP has been working with USAID Mali and the Government of Mali to implement best 
practices in the prevention of the movement and use of counterfeited agricultural and 
pharmaceutical products and to raise public awareness of the dangers of fake products. This has 
been done: a) through the extensive training of stakeholders including Mali 's Customs, its judiciary, 
police and gendarmerie; b) through consumer education; and c) through the introduction of Mobile 
Product Authentication (MPA™) technolo gy at the point of purchase, which will reduce the prevalence 
of counterfeit products in the marketplace and reduce their impact on agriculture and health of both 
livestock and human alike.  
128.  In this context, on 15 -19 July 2019, CLDP organized a workshop in Bamako, Mali, to discuss, 
among other topics, the implementation of a national database administered jointly by Mali 's 
Customs, Mali 's Intellectual Property Office (CEMAPI) and Mali 's Copyright Office (BUMDA), a 
database in which producers and importers ca n register marks to facilitate the seizure of 
counterfeited products.  
7.3.3   Africa RISING 's Large -scale Diffusion of Technologies for Sorghum and Millet 
Systems - ARDT -SMS - Mali 
129.  In a separate USAID grant and part of ICRISAT 's ARDT -SMS project, a public -private 
partnership with US company Sproxil helped farmers distinguish quality inputs approved by 
competent authorities from counterfeits on the market. In Mali, as in many other African countries, 
there is a proliferation of counterfeit agricultural inputs and il legal pharmaceuticals and food 
products. This programme closed in April 2019 when the funds committed by USAID/Mali were fully 
spent. Through this partnership, Sproxil was able to execute six contracts which resulted in over 
225,000 anti -counterfeit labels  entering the marketplace. Sproxil also reports ongoing negotiations 
with an additional seven national and international companies with a potential for an additional 1.16 
million product authentication labels. Challenges faced by Sproxil included the need for greater public 
awareness of the dangers associated with counterfeits and the need to raise greater attention on 
the part of the Government of Mali.  
8  PROGRAMMES AND INCENTIVES RELAT ED TO AGRICULTURAL D EVELOPMENT AND 
FOOD SAFETY AND SECU RITY  
8.1  Agricultural Technology Transfer Programming from the USDA  
130.  To facilitate technology transfer, USDA uses contractual instruments such as Cooperative 
Research and Development Agreement (CRADAs), invention licenses and material transfer 
agreements, and supports public dis semination of research results. USDA pursues patent protection 
and licensing only when a private sector partner is needed for effective technology transfer. IP/C/W/656/Add.2  
 
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  Generally, this occurs when the complementary assets needed to manufacture, market, and 
distribute a new technology are provided by a commercial partner that must protect its investment. 
The USDA annual report on technology transfer provides details about the mechanisms used for 
technology transfer and types of technologies transferred (see https://www.ars.usda.gov/office -of-
technology -transfer/tt -reports/ ). 
8.1.1   Agricultural Technology Transfer Programming from the ARS  
131.  By sharing knowledge and technology through close collabor ation with national and 
international research institutions to increase research capacity and speed technology development, 
ARS transfers technology and enhances international trade and diplomacy (see 
http://www.ars.usda.gov/Research/docs.htm?docid=1428 ). 
8.1.2   Feed the Future Initiative (FTF)  
132.  FTF is the primary US global hunger and food security initiative. It supports country -driven 
approaches to address the root causes of hunger and poverty i n target countries: Bangladesh, 
Ethiopia, Ghana, Guatemala, Honduras, Kenya, Mali, Nepal, Nigeria, Senegal, and Uganda. Through 
this initiative, the United States helps countries transform their agricultural sectors to grow enough 
food sustainably to feed their people and build resilience to shocks like drought or extreme weather. 
As a result, food aid can be used for unforeseen catastrophes rather than for chronic food insecurity 
or predictable cycles of drought or flooding. Technical experts in nutrition have been brought 
together from agencies including ARS and USAID, and from the private sector, to guide and 
coordinate efforts around food security (see https://www.usaid.gov/what -we-do/agriculture -and-
food-security/increasing -food-security -through -feed-future ). FTF catalyses  technology transfer 
through agricultural -led economic growth and development by bridging the gap between innova tive 
agricultural productivity solutions and sustainable market demand; improving the enabling 
environment for market led growth; and linking large commercial institutions with smallholder 
partners.  
8.1.2.1   Rice and Diversified Crops – FTF Bangladesh  
133.  The FTF Bangladesh Rice and Diversified Crops (RDC) activity improves food security through 
facilitating systemic changes that increase rural incomes. RDC catalyses  changes in market systems 
that promote a diversified farm management approach oriented to i ntensified rice production and/or 
diversification of higher -value nutrient rich crops in the FTF zone. Diversified crops that RDC will 
initially target include: maize, oilseeds (mustard, sunflower, ground nuts and sesame) and pulses 
(lentils and mung bean) . The initiative targets : 
• 500,000 farmers from the FTF zone in southwestern  Bangladesh;  
• 50% expansion of commercial outreach in the FTF zone of production and post -harvest related 
inputs and services; and  
• 50% expansion of commercial procurement by collabor ating companies in the FTF zone.  
134.  RDC will reach these targets through facilitative interventions (targeted technical assistance) 
that create scalable market system impacts that ultimately benefit rural households with the added 
value of expanding opportuni ties for women and youth. The USD 1.5 million Market Accelerator Fund 
will support strategic public -private partnerships with national and regional agribusinesses and 
business development service and facilitation providers. The Market Accelerator Fund will  have a 
minimum leverage requirement of 1:1 but will be established on an individual basis where 
co-investments will be determined based on the level of facilitation intensity required.  The project 
is ongoing until 2021 with a total investment of USD 24.5 million.  
8.1.2.2   Digital Development for Feed the Future (D2FTF)  
135.  D2FTF is a collaboration between the USAID Global Development Lab and Bureau for Food 
Security to demonstrate how leveraging digital technology holistically and according to best practices 
can improve the cost effectiveness and development results of the US Government 's FTF Initiative. 
D2FTF is focused on four categories of digital tools, based on evidence of their impact: 1) precision 
agriculture (including sensor technology), 2) digital financial services, 3) data -driven agriculture, 
and 4) ICT -enabled e xtension. D2FTF is scaling the use of these tools in LDCs through various IP/C/W/656/Add.2  
 
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  methods of engagement including: technical assistance to FTF programs, capacity building for Feed 
the Future teams, and strengthening the knowledge base on best practices and is focu sed primarily 
on Feed the Future target countries.   
8.1.2.3   Technology for Financial Inclusion for Rural Unbanked – Uganda  
136.  Feed the Future Youth Leadership for Agriculture (YLA) partners Ensibuuko Technologies, 
MobiPay AgroSys, and Mastercard Labs are increasing f inancial inclusion for Uganda 's rural 
unbanked. Through support from YLA, Ensibuuko has enabled 165,000 youth, in 500 Village Savings 
and Loan Associations, and 50 Saving and Credit Cooperative Organizations to access financial 
services by using its propri etary cloud -based mobile phone micro -finance application. Mastercard 
Labs is working with YLA to digitize school fees payments and improve social and financial literacy 
skills for over 17,000 youth in 140 schools. Under this project, students in school sav ings clubs are 
able to track their savings and receive social and financial skills training. The software also enables 
parents to pay school fees in instalments, and school management to better track incoming 
payments and teacher attendance.  
8.1.2.4   Feed the Futur e Tera Imbuto Nziza (Seed Activity) – Rwanda  
137.  This Activity is co -funded by USAID in Rwanda and Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa 
(AGRA) under the Partnership for Inclusive Agricultural Transformation in Africa (PIATA). AGRA is 
also responsible for it s implementation in Rwanda. The goal of this 2019 -2022 program, Tera Imbuto 
Nziza, is to sustainably increase agricultural productivity and incomes through increased production 
and commercialization of improved crop seeds. The increase in crop productivity  is expected to 
increase smallholder farmers ' incomes and promote food security. Tera Imbuto Nziza will achieve 
this goal via the three following objectives: 1) Increase the production and utilization of improved 
seeds;  2) Enhance the operational capacity of the domestic seed market system and 3) Support the 
operationalization of policies that regulate the seed sector. The expected achievements are:  
• At least three improved varieties of Irish potato  and four varieties of hybrid maize released;  
• At least 40%  increase in maize seed production yields; and  
• At least 50% increase in Irish potato plantlets production; At least 25% of planted potato seeds 
acquired from the formal seed system (10% certified seeds and 15% quality declared seeds).  
138.  This first year focus ed on opening an office in Rwanda, staff recruitment, grant awards to local 
partners and service providers. The targeted results will be available starting FY 2020.  
8.1.2.5   Feed the Future Ongera Ubucuruzi – Rwanda  
139.  Under the Ongera Ubucuruzi activity, technologica l interventions are used to improve the 
availability and transparency of trade process information for informal traders to reduce the time 
and cost to trade. The goal of the programme is to reduce in average clearance and transit time 
from lodgement  to release and to improve efficiency in the delivery of standards and quality services. 
The average time to sort and grade coffee for export is expected to be reduced from 20 days per to 
seven  days per container. Support for the development of Trade Community In formation Systems 
(TCIS) includes:  
• The development and implementation of a Single Window Information for Trade (SWIFT) portal 
for government trade agencies, which is expected to reduce customs processing time and costs 
and further improve the efficiency o f the single window.  
• The development and delivery of an interconnected East African Community -wide SMS 
reporting system connecting the current national SMS reporting systems to a regional network. 
This will bolster reporting by making it real time at the r egional level. It will also facilitate 
communication between the various partner states ' SMS systems.  
• Automation of the current sorting and grading service the National Agricultural Export Board 
offers to cooperatives in order to reduce the time it takes t hem to process their coffee for 
export. USAID will authorize the purchase of a colour  sorting machine and accessories to be 
connected to the bagging machines and additional hand sorting tables.  IP/C/W/656/Add.2  
 
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  8.1.2.6   Feed the Future - Tanzania Mboga na Matunda  
140.  The purpose of Mbo ga na Matunda is to increase the competitiveness and inclusiveness of the 
horticulture sector, while improving the nutritional status of Tanzanians through: 1) scaling improved 
technologies and practices that lead to increased productivity of smallholders,  including large 
numbers of women and youth, in targeted commodities; 2) scaling market system models able to 
reach large numbers of direct and indirect beneficiaries, including vulnerable populations, while 
increasing trade for targeted commodities; and 3 ) strengthening the overall capacity of the industry. 
Interventions encourage the adoption of innovations at the farm level, and efficient business models 
at the market level will create a more broad -based distribution of benefits all along the chain, 
including the smallholder, particularly women. The activity will run during 2017 -2021 and will use a 
value chain approach to deliver good agricultural practices, basic technologies, and nutrition 
education to 40,000 rural households.  
8.1.3   NASA/USAID SERVIR Program  
141.  A joint development initiative of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) 
and USAID, SERVIR works in partnership with leading regional organizations worldwide to help 
developing countries use information provided by Earth observing  satellites and geospatial 
technologies. The tools, products, and services that SERVIR creates empower decision makers to 
better address critical development issues including food security. SERVIR 's food security thematic 
service area includes agriculture,  rangeland management and pastoralism, and fisheries and 
aquaculture, particularly through the lens of adaptation to increasing environmental extremes. Key 
topics include linking agricultural productivity assessments, crop yield models, and use of climate 
scenarios for assessing impacts.  
142.  SERVIR connects space to village by helping developing countries use satellite data to address 
not only critical challenges in food security, but also in water resources, weather and climate, land 
use, and natural disaster s. SERVIR develops innovative solutions to improve livelihoods and foster 
self-reliance in Asia, Africa, and the Americas. USAID brings the users; USAID 's development 
expertise and field presence in 100 countries provides the connections and local partners hips with 
local, national and regional stakeholders. NASA brings the science; with 19 research collaborator 
teams located in 14 states across the United States, and more than 20 satellites with free and open 
data, NASA is focused on ways to leverage US sci ence to replicate successes and innovate around 
the world, hand in hand with developing country organizations and scientists to leave behind 
increased technical capacity and societal benefit. SERVIR is improving awareness, increasing access 
to information,  and supporting analysis to help people in West Africa, Eastern and Southern Africa, 
Hindu Kush Himalaya, the Lower Mekong, South America and Mesoamerica manage challenges in 
the areas of food security, water resources, land use change, and natural disaste rs. With activities 
in more than 45 countries and counting, SERVIR has already developed over 70 custom tools, 
collaborated with over 250 institutions, and trained more than 3,000 individuals, improving the 
capacity to develop local solutions. See https://www.servirglobal.net/ .  
8.2  Country Projects  
8.2.1   Solar Power International Trade Show  
143.  US Embassy in Rwanda is recruiting Rwandan business delegations to attend the Solar Power 
International trade show in Salt Lake City, Utah and the Big Iron Farm show in West Fargo, North 
Dakota, in September 2019. A US Embassy employee will lead the two missions and organize 
business to business meetings.  
8.2.2   Strengthening Household Abilities for Responding to Development Opportunities  
III (SHOUHARDO III), SHOUHARDO (meaning "friendship ") – Bangladesh  
144.  The goal of SHOUHARDO III is to improve gender equitable food security, nutrition and 
resilience of vulnerable people within Bangladesh for 549,000 poor and extremely poor people by 
2020. SHOUHARDO III is working in most vulnerable and food insecure villages of the char's areas 
in Gaibandha, Kurigram, Jamalpur and Serajganj districts and areas of Kishorganj, Netrokona, 
Habiganj and Netrokona districts. SHOUHARDO III will be implemented in p artnerships with six local IP/C/W/656/Add.2  
 
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  NGOs. The Total Projected Investment is USD 80 million. To achieve the overall goal - SHOUHARDO 
III will undertake the following activities :  
• Provide training and technical assistance to increase agriculture productivity and marke t 
access;  
• Improve enabling environment and opportunities for on -farm and off -farm income generating 
activities and assets protection;  
• Increase access to savings and finance through capacity building and linkages;  
• Improve access and availability to nutri tious food by providing supplementary food rations and 
production of nutritious food;  
• Improve water sanitation and hygiene infrastructure and services through community capacity 
building, awareness and linkages;  
• Improve household health, hygiene, and nut rition behaviour through social and behavioural 
change communication, and awareness;  
• Provide training on disaster preparedness and help to improve disaster risk reduction capacities 
communities and committees;  
• Develop community 's capacity to climate -resilient livelihoods;  
• Organize women and adolescent groups and strengthen their leadership and life skill capacity; 
and 
• Organize training, community mobilizations, advocacy support to village development 
committees, local government official and service prov iders.  
8.2.3   Food Security and Livelihoods Trust Fund (LIFT) – Myanmar  
145.  LIFT strengthens Myanmar 's resilience, particularly of the poor and vulnerable groups, through 
work on livelihoods, agriculture, food security and nutrition. LIFT organizes its programming in to 
four thematic areas: Nutrition; Financial Inclusion; Agriculture and Food Systems; and Decent Work 
and Labour Mobility, and currently has 70 activities countrywide through 61 partner organizations, 
many of which are US NGOs. Michigan State University is  a LIFT strategic research partner working 
on data -driven policy analysis with both the public and private sectors. During 2010 -2019, LIFT has 
reached more than 9.2 million people . 
8.2.4   Stress Tolerant Rice in Vulnerable Environments – Myanmar  
146.  In order to meet the demand for quality rice seed that is adapted to local conditions (salt and 
water stress tolerant), IRRI implemented an activity to improve the availability of appropriate rice 
varieties to smallholder farmers. The activity worked with rice farmers  to identify stress tolerant rice 
varieties (farmer selection). These varieties were scaled up via self -selecting seed growers. IRRI 
supported these growers to meet the quality criteria for selling seed, and arranged for the 
Department of Agriculture to in spect the seed and certify it. At the end of the activity, these seed 
growers were sustainably producing stress tolerant seeds for the local market. STRIVE ended in 
2018. 
8.2.5   Africa RISING – PHASE II – Tanzania  
147.  The Africa Rising Phase II activity collaborates with the Feed the Future Tanzania Nafaka 
("Grains ") activity to address persistent constraints to smallholder agricultural productivity and rural 
well-being in three focus regions (Morogoro, Iringa and Mbeya). This includes introducing resilient 
crop varie ties, diversifying and increasing food supply and income sources, improving nutrition, and 
addressing soil and land degradation.  
8.2.6   Private Sector Driven Agricultural Growth (PSDAG) – Rwanda  
148.  Through PSDAG, USAID assists and partners with private entities (see ds producers and 
multipliers) to produce quality high yielding Irish potatoes in a country where utilization of improved 
seeds is under 15%. USAID utilizes technology (e.g. GIS, databases, and other IT equipment and 
improved technologies) to help solve inf ormation constraints in the agriculture sector. PSDAG IP/C/W/656/Add.2  
 
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  supported the Government of Rwanda to develop Agriculture Land Information System (ALIS I ), a 
web-based interface called the Investor Application ( "Investor App ") to enable the Ministry of 
Agriculture a nd private sector to identify public land parcels that could meet the demands of 
prospective investors. This web -based tool makes available data such as: spatial data layers (aerial 
photos, satellite data, land, suitability analysis, and cadastral data for  agriculture land); current 
investments (irrigation schemes and related cost, and large substantial private agricultural 
investment); current land use and proposed land use; agricultural datasets; soil types; and rainfall.  
149.  In FY 2019, PSDAG supported the expansion of the functionality of ALIS I to ALIS II, which 
includes a simplified investor app for public use and the addition of a management application. ICT 
continues to be an important part of PSDAG 's M&E  system to facilitate ease in data collection and 
reporting results of project activities implemented by various partners. For example, PSDAG 's 
partners use the Map and Track digital data collection system to register farmers and cooperatives 
as well as su bmit quarterly indicator results. PSDAG continued to use Map and Track to collect GPS 
coordinates of project activities implemented through various partners. PSDAG uses this information 
to generate ArcGis maps of project interventions. The live map can be found at 
http://arcg.is/2cpeuEx .  
150.  PSDAG also facilitated private sector partners to pilot new improved technologies, 
management practices, and business models to boost farmers ' productivity with better plants and 
techniques. As a result of capital investments in equipment, technology and related technical 
assistance, most grantees have been able to expand to new markets, invest in international quality 
certifications and attract new investors. In FY 2018, 35,633 farmer s and others have applied 
improved technologies or management practices as a result of US Government assistance . 
8.2.7   Creating Jobs and Increasing Production Capacity of Agribusinesses – Uganda  
151.  The activity has provided various agro -processing technologies to i ts partners, with the view 
to create and or increase opportunities for over 10,000 youth to supply agricultural produce. For 
example, YLA Uganda has procured a solar dryer and hot pepper crusher for Anchor Foods Ltd., 
which has enabled the firm to diversif y its chili products and recruit 1,500 youth as suppliers. Other 
technologies procured include a pasteurizer for a soy product company, a milling machine to process 
quality nutritious baby products, post -harvest technologies including maize shellers, moist ure 
meters and grain -drying tarpaulins, a sealing and packing machine for blended pumpkin products, 
and a potato processing and drying machine.   
8.2.8   HarvestPlus Iron Fortified Beans & Orange -Fleshed Sweet Potatoes for Income and 
Nutrition – Rwanda  
152.  USAID suppor ted the production and dissemination of new iron bio -fortified beans seeds and 
orange fleshed sweet potatoes planting materials for improved nutrition and food security purposes 
in a country where stunting is at 39% of the population. In doing so, USAID pa rtnered with the 
Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB), private seed producers and multipliers, to promote, produce and 
disseminate improved seeds and planting materials. Improved vines of orange -fleshed sweet potato 
(OFSP) produced and distributed to 45,541 bene ficiary households (HH), especially those with 
women of reproductive -age and children under 5, with the goal of improving incomes and nutrition; 
533 metric tons of iron bio -fortified certified seeds produced and distributed to 59,763 farming 
households.  This programme successfully concluded in FY 2019.  
8.2.9   National Agricultural Technology Project Phase 2 (NATP -2) – Bangladesh  
153.  USAID 's development objective of NATP -2 is to increase agricultural productivity of smallholder 
farms and improve smallholder farmers ' access to markets in selected districts. The USD  8 million  
project implementation will occur over a six -year period in 56 of the country 's 64 districts and in up 
to 270 of the country 's 493 sub -districts (or upazillas). The project intends to deepen the 
interventions initiated under NATP -1 in existing upazillas and expand the geographic coverage to 
include new districts and upazillas. In compliance with Government policies and strategies, the 
primary target group for NATP -2 will be smallholder farmers (with s pecial emphasis on women) who 
account for over 90% of the country 's rural population and make up for the vast majority of 
Bangladesh 's poor. NATP -2 includes an agricultural research component and three sub -sector 
components: crops, livestock, and fisheries . This approach is expected to lead to a better integration IP/C/W/656/Add.2  
 
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  between agricultural research, extension, and production. It is estimated that over 1  million farming 
households will directly benefit from project activities, including from improved extension se rvices, 
stronger linkages with research, on -farm demonstrations of new technologies, capacity 
enhancement through training and skills development, as well as from co -funding productive assets. 
The project will terminate in 2021 and specific objectives of t he activities so far are:  
• Enhancing agricultural technology  generation;  
• Supporting crop development;  
• Supporting  fisheries development; and  
• Supporting livestock  development.  
8.2.10   SEMEAR – Mozambique  
154.  SEMEAR is a five -year seed replication project that builds u pon years of USAID support to 
applied agricultural research, technology transfer and related capacity building. The activity uses 
win-win public -private partnership approaches to disseminate improved legume seeds (more than 
27 varieties of common bean, cow pea, groundnut, pigeon pea and soybean) and complementary 
crop management practices. Most of the new varieties are drought tolerant, resistant to endemic 
pests and diseases, have end -user preferred traits, and show significant increases in yields on 
farmer s' fields. Under the project approximately 10,000 tons of seed will be replicated and 
distributed.  The project team reached over 100,000 beneficiaries and facilitated adoption of 
improved technologies on over 193 thousand hectares of land. Female farmers were specifically 
targeted and encouraged to invest in seed production, host field demonstrations, and participate in 
training activities. The project is still on -going until 2020.  
8.2.11   Aflasafe – Mozambique  
155.  The goals of USAID 's Aflasafe project are to reduce aflatoxin (toxin in foods) levels in the 
Mozambican national diet and provide additional ways for farmers, regulators, input suppliers, and 
exporters to produce, trade and export groundnuts and maize in compliance with aflatoxin standards 
set by COD EX Alimentarius through the development of a bio -control product, aflasafe -Moz, for 
aflatoxin mitigation. However, with limited data available on aflatoxin prevalence in maize and 
groundnut in Mozambique, a strong initial focus will be on mapping the incid ence of aflatoxin in both 
crops. To support the development and registration of aflasafe, which has already proved effective 
in Nigeria, a training programme of national agricultural extension workers in the public and private 
sector followed by widespread  training of smallholders will be carried out. The introduction of 
aflasafe -Moz will be accompanied by the reinforcement of the use of existing aflatoxin reduction 
strategies with smallholders through a widespread training programme . Other project activiti es will 
be the upgrading and equipping of laboratory facilities at UniLurio in Nampula for mycological work 
and mycotoxin testing. The project closed in FY 2019.  
8.2.12   Viable Sweetpotato Technologies in Africa (VISTA) – Mozambique  
156.  Research and development investments over the past years have generated improved sweet 
potato technologies that can increase nutrition, income and food security in Mozambique. VISTA 
Mozambique is designed to improve nutrition, food security and incomes of beneficiary households. 
Increased production and better utilization of nutritious orange -fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) 
varieties will especially benefit children under five years of age and pregnant and lactating mothers. 
OFSP is a proven, cost -effective, to ol to reduce vitamin A deficiency and provide additional vital 
nutrients to vulnerable populations. From 2014 to 2019, approximately 74,000 households (55% 
female -headed) were reached with OFSP planting material of 15 improved varieties, covering an 
area o f 4,600 ha. Also, VISTA noted that from 2014 to 2019 vitamin A consumption has increased 
in the intervention households compared to the control households. The project closed in FY 2019 . 
8.2.13   RAMA -BC – Mozambique  
157.  USAID 's RAMA -BC program 's overarching goal is to  equitably increase agricultural productivity 
and climate resilience by increasing adoption of resilient agricultural technologies and practices. Over 
the life of the project, RAMA - will implement activities under four component areas, to increase the 
adoption of resilient agricultural technologies in the Beira corridor. Components one and two will IP/C/W/656/Add.2  
 
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  increase demand by raising awareness and demonstrating effectiveness of key technologies and 
practices, including improved seed, conservation agriculture (CA) p ractices, and water management 
and irrigation solutions. Components three  and four will support supply -side improvements, leading 
to increased availability, accessibility and affordability of inputs and other technologies, and 
improved private -sector led a dvisory services.  The project will be ongoing until 2021.  
8.2.14   Ambassador 's Water Expert Programme (AWEP) – Uganda  
158.  In support of the President 's Global Water Strategy, the Ambassador 's Water Expert 
Programme (AWEP) sends US hydrologists abroad to provide techni cal assistance for water security, 
by promoting sustainable infrastructure and services, science, technology, and information. The US 
Department of the Interior 's International Technical Assistance Programme (DOI-ITAP) manages 
AWEP, and the US Department o f States Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and 
Scientific Affairs (OES) funds the programmes   
159.  DOI-provided expert trained 25 rural district participants from the Ministry of Water and 
Environment (MWE) how to use the Water Point Data Exchang e software system - developed by US 
companies and provided to Uganda at no cost. This system enables MWE officials to use rural water 
data to make more informed water management decisions.  
8.2.15   Water Resources Integration Development Initiative (WARIDI)  
160.  WARIDI promotes integrated water resources management and delivery of services across 
multiple sectors. The goal is to improve water resources management, access to water -supply, 
sanitation and hygiene services, and climate change adaptation in the Rufiji and Wam i-Ruvu water 
basins. WARIDI works to: 1) increase utilization of sustainable multiple -use water, sanitation, and 
hygiene services; 2) strengthen governance for sustainable and resilient management of water 
resources and services under a changing climate; a nd 3) increase livelihoods through private sector 
investment opportunities for sustainable water services, agriculture, and natural resources 
management.  
8.2.16   Center of Excellence on Sustainable Agricultural Intensification and Nutrition 
(CE SAIN) – Cambodia  
161.  The objectives of CE SAIN are to coordinate and leverage Innovation Labs and other SAIN 
activities, build the human and institutional capacity of the Royal University of Agriculture, and to 
establish technology parks to highlight high -potential technologies and strategies to sustainably 
intensify smallholder farming systems. Funded by USAID, the USD 2 .5 million  programme has six 
US Government partners . iDE Cambodia, IRRI, University of Tennessee, Kansas State University, 
and World Vegetable Cambodia have demo nstrated their agriculture technologies in CE SAIN 
Technology Parks.  Key successes of the activity in FY 2019:  
• Six US Government partners  including iDE Cambodia, IRRI, University of Tennessee, Kansas 
State University, and ATEC private sector have demonstrated their innovative technologies in 
CE SAIN Technology Parks;  
• Improved communication, coordination and knowledge sharing between six US  universities, US 
partners, four private sector companies and other projects within Cambodia;  
• Provided 24 scholarships (11 females), eight PhD, eight MSc, and eight BSc Degree 
scholarships;  
• Provided six research grants to Royal University of Agriculture (RUA) faculties to increase lab 
activities, teaching materials and tools;  
• Provided 33 lecture series to 310 RUA 's students and faculty members; and  
• 1,270 people from USG partners, students, researchers, and farmers visited CE SAIN 's 
Technology Parks.  IP/C/W/656/Add.2  
 
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  8.2.17   USAI D| REGIS -ER Land Tenure Security Sub – Award  
162.  Land Tenure Security and Conflict Management component of USAID|REGIS -ER activity aims 
to strengthen partnership with the National Land Observatory (ONF -BF) and governmental 
structures in charge of land tenure i ssues to secure land tenure (focusing on women -owned sites 
and pastoral spaces). The objective is to provide technical assistance to the Government of Burkina 
in the establishment, staffing, and effective operation of Rural Land Tenure Service (SFRs) offic es in 
the communes and village land tenure committees to improve arbitration and mitigation of conflicts 
arising from agriculture, pastoralism, mining and other matters arising due to land issues through 
the use of the USAID Mobile Application to Secure Te nure (MAST). Based on lesson learned from the 
pilot phase and the five initial communes targeted, USAID is extending the use of MAST tool in 12 
additional communes under a direct award to ONF -BF for year 2020.  
8.2.18   Integrated Land Resources Governance Programme  (ILRG)  
163.  USAID 's ILRG program, managed by E3 's Land and Urban Office in Washington, is designed to 
provide technical assistance to improve land and resource governance, strengthen property rights, 
and build resilient livelihoods as the foundation for strong  economic growth, stability, and 
self-reliance. ILRG 's activities in Zambia are focused on building on momentum from previous USAID 
investments in supporting transparent customary land documentation and governance through the 
Tenure and Global Climate Chan ge (TGCC) project that was implemented from 2013 to 2018. The 
ILRG programme will institutionalize customary land documentation through policy and law; 
facilitate cooperation among ministries on rural development issues through participatory, spatial 
data collection processes; and pilot community -based natural resource management approaches 
that reduce conflict, increase biodiversity and carbon sequestration, and generate income for rural 
communities. The programme targets are the following:  
• Improve Distric t Governance and Integrated Natural  Resource Planning;  
• Strengthen Natural Resource Management;  
• Enhance Household Land Documentation, Administration, and Use.  
8.2.19   USDA Millet Value Chain Project – Senegal  
164.  During 2019 -2021, USDA 's millet value chain project in Senegal transfers expertise and 
know -how in the agriculture sector to improve local processing of millet. USDA 's Food for Progress 
millet value chain programme began in Fiscal Year 2014 and aims to work with over 19,000 millet 
farmers over the c ourse of the award, which will end in 2019. This USD 14 million award has focused 
on increasing the agricultural productivity of the millet value chain by: 1) developing processing 
systems; 2)  building capacity of producers to improve production and qualit y; 3) training producers 
and processors in improved production techniques, post -harvest handling, marketing, and seed 
production; and 4) providing grants and loans for equipment and inputs. This programme also seeks 
to expand the trade of millet by develop ing public -private relationships, facilitating trade 
relationships, researching export opportunities, building agricultural extension capacity, and helping 
to address food safety issues and requirements.  
9  PROGRAMING AND INCEN TIVES RELATED TO ENE RGY DEVELOPM ENT 
9.1  Private Financing Advisory Network (P FAN) 
165.  PFAN is a multilateral public private partnership initiated by the Climate Technology Initiative  
and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) . It identifies and 
nurtures promising , innovative clean and renewable energy projects by bridging the gap between 
investors, clean energy entrepreneurs and project developer s. PFAN mobilizes private sector 
expertise in financing climate -friendly projects and technologies to screen business plans and select 
projects that are economically viable, as well as environmentally and socially beneficial. For the 
selected entrepreneurs  and businesses, PFAN provides guidance in areas such as economic 
feasibility, project structure, investment and financing, preparation of the business plan, and 
introductions to investors. PFAN 's partners and donors include: Australia 's Department of Foreign 
Affairs and Trade (DFAT); the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Japan; the 
Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency 
(SIDA);  and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). PFAN is hosted by IP/C/W/656/Add.2  
 
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  the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and the programme is executed 
in collaboration with the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnershi p (REEEP).  
9.2  Regional and Country Energy Initiatives  
166.  US regional energy development programming focuses on sub -Saharan Africa and South Asia. 
US agencies work closely with multilateral development banks, other US Government agencies , the 
private sector, and  local banks or financial institutions to engage on regional energy collaboration 
programs.  
9.2.1   Southern Africa Energy Programme (SAEP)  
167.  USAID 's SAEP works to advance energy policy and regulatory reform, and accelerate 
investment to increase power generation an d access to electricity throughout the region. Through 
strengthening the enabling environment and facilitating public and private transactions, SAEP 
leverages the momentum of private investment to help focus SAEP 's resources in ways that best 
support the r eform of national and regional energy ecosystems. At the same time, SAEP produces 
the tangible results needed to create a sustainable cycle of additional reforms, increased investment 
and continued political will. SAEP addresses the key constraints to inve stment in the Southern African 
energy sector by: improving regulation, planning, and procurement for energy; improving 
commercial viability of utilities; improving regional harmonization and cross -border trade; 
demonstrating and scaling renewable energy an d energy efficient technologies and practices; and 
increasing human and institutional capacity.  
9.2.2   South Asia Regional Initiative for Energy Integration (SARI/EI)  – Bhutan, 
Bangladesh, India, and Nepal  
168.  USAID 's SARI/EI focuses on supporting greater regional en ergy integration by promoting 
cross-border power trade in South Asia through harmonization of policy, legal, and regulatory 
mechanism; advancement of transmission system interconnections; and establishment of a South 
Asia Regional Electricity Market. These  will be catalysed  through three inter -governmental task 
forces (TFs) established under the programme with representation from national governments, 
power transmission utilities, regulators, and other relevant representatives from participating South 
Asian  countries.  
169.  The project conducted focused analyses to support regional frameworks and institutions to 
support power trade in the region such as the open access guideline, compendium of energy sector 
regulations in the region, model framework for trading l icense regime and guidelines for grant of 
trading license, design of market and rules for South Asia Power exchange, a mock simulation of 
regional power exchange to assess its feasibility, and built the capacity of stakeholders from Nepal, 
Bhutan and Bangl adesh to work on an exchange platform. The programme also modelled the benefits 
of power trade in the Bhutan -Bangladesh -India and Nepal (BBIN) region and partnered with local 
think tanks in Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka to create a discourse around benef its of regional 
power trade. It engaged regional institutions such as South Asia Association of regional Cooperation 
(SAARC), South Asia Forum of Infrastructure regulators (SAFIR) to build the capacity of energy 
regulators and get them on a common platform  to discuss harmonization of regulations and 
legislations. The programme partnered with other regional institutions such as Bay of Bengal 
Initiative for Multi -Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) to document and 
disseminate the status of e nergy sector in their member countries through an energy outlook 2030. 
The programme also supported a political -economical study on linking of South Asia with South East 
Asia.  
170.  Going forward, the programme will focus on moving the region from bilateral to 
multi-lateral/tri -lateral power trade by developing institutional set up for coordinated transmission 
planning, development of common power system operating procedures, and exchange based 
platform. It will continue to work with regional institutions for pu shing the agenda of regional power 
trade. SARI/EI will also engage national and regional industry associations to establish investment 
forum to address barriers and promote investments on regional energy projects.  
171.  SARI/EI will continue to support two key b ilateral power trade initiatives i.e. India -Nepal and 
India-Bangladesh. The programme will prepare the institutional capacity of the Government of Nepal IP/C/W/656/Add.2  
 
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  and Bangladesh to support synchronous grid interconnection, undertake power -trading, and 
participate in  Indian power exchange. The capacity building focuses on sharing of best practices 
between private -and-public sector system and transmission operators, as well as electricity traders 
within South Asia and the United States. SARI/EI will also focus on knowl edge exchange and best 
practises in the region especially on renewable energy development and energy efficiency.  
Foreign Government Official Applaud SARI/EI  
172.  The Secretary of Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation of the Government of 
Nepal, in a workshop on Power Trading through Power Exchange in Nepal, thanked USAID for its 
continued support in the region through its SARI/EI programmes  He mentioned of several positive 
changes including new and modification of policies and regulations aimed to s upport cross -border 
power trade, which can be attributed to SARI/EI.  
9.2.3   MINIGRID project: Feasibility study and pilot project – Madagascar  
173.  The USTDA granted funds to US firm FLUIDIC ENERGY Inc., which partners with HENRI FRAISE 
FILS & CIE - Madagascar to under take the feasibility study to develop solar PV minigrids with battery 
storage for remote area off -grid. The project also includes participation from additional US 
companies, including Caterpillar (Peoria, IL) and First Solar (Perrysburg, OH). The pilot pro ject was 
installed in Belobaka (210km from Antananarivo), and local staff have managed the network and 
equipment well due to initial capacity building training. Other villages have not yet had minigrids 
installed under the programmes  
9.2.4   Power Africa – Djibout i 
174.  USAID/DJIBOUTI supported the Djibouti Office for the Development of Geothermal Energy 
(ODDEG) in capacity building training for drilling geothermal fields. Twenty -six staff from ODDEG 
have received a five-day training on drilling techniques led by expert s who have years of experience 
in drilling. The skills acquired through this training will be used for the drilling of eight geothermal 
production wells at Lake Assal (Northern Djibouti) which will generate clean energy for the country. 
However, the Minist ry of Energy informed USAID/DJIBOUTI that it did not approve the 
implementation of project and the project was terminated.   
9.2.5   First Solar and Neon – Zambia  
175.  USAID and Department of State supports and OPIC finances a solar project from American 
firm First Solar and French firm Neon. The project supports the development of a 47.5 -megawatt 
(MW) solar photovoltaic power plant. The project will be Zambia 's first utility scale solar plant.  The 
solar plant was formally commissioned and went online in FY 2019, and is Zambia 's first utility scale 
solar plant.  
9.2.6   Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Development (RERED II) Programme – 
Bangladesh  
176.  RERED II aims t o support the Government of Bangladesh 's vision of providing universal access 
to electricity by 2021. USAID 's contribution to RERED II focuses on the development of solar 
renewable energy in rural areas focusing on solar home systems, solar irrigation pump s, micro and 
mini grid schemes  and captive plants based on renewable energy. The estimate for the project is 
USD 8  million . 
9.2.7   USTDA Award to eleQtr a – Mozambique  
177.  The USTDA awarded a grant to Power developer eleQtra for a feasibility study to assess the 
viability of a 120 -megawatt wind power plant, developed in two phases of 60 MW each, located in 
southern Mozambique. This will be the first Wind Power project in Mozambique, creating the 
benchmark for this industry in this country. The value of the grant was U SD 1.1 million . The feasibility 
studies are underway and are expected to be completed in 2019.  IP/C/W/656/Add.2  
 
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  9.2.8   SPEED+ - Mozambique  
178.  USAID 's technical assistance to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (MIREME) 
established precedent for successful transactions and c larify and secure the rules for private power 
producers to attract increased investment in independent grid -connected generation. Expected 
outputs include improved ability to successfully conclude agreements such as Concession 
Agreements, to manage the ren ewable energy feed in tariff regime, and to clarify the legal 
framework for independent power producers. Speed+ 's expected outcome is a stronger energy 
sector with more megawatts generated at lower prices to consumers.  The project will be ongoing 
until 202 0. 
9.2.9   Climate Services for Agriculture – Rwanda  
179.  Developed by IRI, a member of the CGIAR (a consortium of research agricultural research 
institutions) and funded by USAID in Rwanda, Maproom is a collection of maps and other figures 
that monitor climate conditi ons at present and in the recent past. With USAID support, Rwandan 
authorities now employ a tool that facilitates various weather -related analysis and forecasting. 
Maproom makes the following data available online:  
• Historical  climate information (daily pre cipitation analysis, historical onset and cessation date, 
historical seasonal totals );  
• Historical and forecast information for agriculture; 
http:// maproom .meteorwanda .gov.rw/maproom/Agriculture/#tabs -1; and  
• Under development is the Water Balance Maproom, which will be used to monitor crop yield 
and forecast food security in Rwanda 
http://maproom.meteorwanda.gov.rw/maproom/Agriculture/#tabs -2. 
180.  This tool has helped disseminate data derived from merging weather/climate data from 
physical stations and surface weather observation data from satellites to fill the gaps in Rwanda 's 
historical weather data records. Now, Rwanda has historical weather data for more than 60 years. 
The plan is to make weather and climate Information accessible to all government institutions as 
well as private institutions. Because the project ends in Decembe r 2019, the implementing partner 
has already secured additional funds from WISER, a DFID funded project, to continue supporting 
the development of new features.  
9.2.10   Minigrids Feasibility Study – Sierra Leone  
181.  USTDA awarded in FY 2019 a grant to the Ministry of Energy of Sierra Leone for a feasibility 
study to provide the technical and financial analysis to implement approximately 45 minigrids in 
Sierra Leone. USTDA 's study will specifically support a private -sector -led standard model for off -grid 
development and  serve as a model for West African countries to replicate. USTDA 's study will also 
help increase energy access for more than 8,000 rural households and several hundred businesses 
in Sierra Leone.  
9.3  Programme for Scaling -Up Renewable Energy for Low Income Cou ntries  
182.  SREP focuses on deploying renewable energy to increase energy access in several developing 
countries, including  LDC pilot countries Bangladesh, Benin, Cambodia, Haiti, Lesotho, Madagascar, 
Malawi, Mali, Nepal, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, the Solomon Islan ds, Tanzania, Uganda, Vanuatu, 
Yemen, and Zambia. To date, USD 264 million is approved and under implementation for 23 projects 
and programs, expecting approximately USD 1.9 billion in co -financing from other sources . 
10  PROGRAMING AND INCEN TIVES RELATED TO E NVIRONMENTAL PROTECT ION  
183.  Since 2009, the United States has engaged in a wide range of activities with developing 
countries, with the goal of promoting the development and deployment of climate -friendly 
technologies and practices, and responsible management  of the environment and environmental 
resources.  IP/C/W/656/Add.2  
 
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  10.1  US Programme on SilvaCarbon  
184.  SilvaCarbon is a technical cooperation programme under the Global Climate Change Initiative, 
and a US contribution  to the Global Forest Observation Initiative of the intergovernmental Group on 
Earth Observations SilvaCarbon works with 24 tropical forested countries to build capacity in 
measuring, monitoring, and reporting changes in forest and terrestrial carbon, and collaborates 
globally to identify, test, and disseminate good practices and cost -effective technologies. 
SilvaCarbon draws on the strengths of cooperating US Government  agencies including the 
Department of State, the Environmental Protection Agency, NASA,  USAID, USDA Forest Service 
(USFS), and the US Geographical Survey (USGS) of the Department of Interior, as well as variety 
of non -governmental, academic, and industry partners (see www.silvacarbon.org/ ). 
185.  SilvaCa rbon advances low -emission development and increases transparency through 
technical assistance and training on the use of free and open -source tools and methods for accurately 
tracking land use change. For example, in the first half of FY 2018, working wit h Google Earth Engine, 
Boston University, Oregon State University, USFS and USGS, SilvaCarbon delivered customized 
training to seven countries in Latin America and Africa to support the uptake of state -of-the-art 
forest monitoring technologies tailored to country needs. SilvaCarbon has also contributed to the 
development and dissemination of the Collect Earth Online forest monitoring platform, and facilitated 
the uptake of the Agriculture and Land Use National Greenhouse Gas Inventory Software tool in 
numer ous countries including Viet  Nam, which has officially adopted the tool at the national level. 
SilvaCarbon has worked with counterparts in Nepal and Cambodia to update national forest and land 
cover maps to increase accuracy and transparency and meet the n eeds of multiple users and 
stakeholders  
Nepal  and the Democratic Republic of the Congo Government Officials Praise SilvaCarbon  
186.  A representative of the Nepal Ministry of Environment noted that SilvaCarbon has contributed 
significantly to the development of new skills and technologies in Nepal, and played an important 
role in enhancing the capacity of Nepali technicians in forest carbon measurement, monitoring, and 
reporting and REDD+.  
187.  A representative of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Mi nistry of the Environment and 
Sustainable Development noted that SilvaCarbon training has benefitted technical staff and raised 
the level of scientific knowledge in soil analysis, carbon capitalization, and forest zoning.  
10.2  International Forestry Management Programming  
188.  US Forest Service (USFS) promotes capacity building for sustainable forest management and 
biodiversity conservation internationally by linking the skills of the field -based staff with partners 
overseas. These activities  cover a wide range of to pics, many of which are co -funded with the 
Department of State and USAID ( http://www.fs.fed.us/about -agency/international -
programs/program -topics ). This wor k involves a variety of partners, including intergovernmental 
organizations, international research and conservation organizations, and other environmental 
NGOs. USFS scientists and other agency technical experts contribute specialized technical assistance  
to existing projects, conduct training, facilitate research, and publish technical guides to promote 
sustainable forest management and biodiversity conservation. These activities encompass many of 
the most pressing forestry issues, including fire manageme nt, climate change adaptation and 
mitigation, forest monitoring and remote sensing, forest health and invasive species, migratory 
species and habitat management, watershed management, protected areas and ecotourism, and 
sustainable forestry practices.  
10.3  USFS -International Union of Forest Research Organizations Partnership  
189.  USFS and the International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO) signed a multiyear 
partnership agreement  in 2014 to enhance the contribution of forest science to international 
forest-related policy processes and implementation of sustainable forest resource management, 
particularly in economically disadvantaged countries. The agreement achieves technology transfer 
through strengthening national forest research systems in Africa, Asi a and Latin America, particularly 
through capacity development, assistance to scientists, and institution -building. Further, the 
initiative supports IUFRO 's global initiatives on mobilizing and disseminating forest -related 
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  (see http://www.fs.fed.us/research/partnerships ). IUFRO has a long history of providing support to 
the forest science community in Africa, Asia and Latin America. IUF RO implements capacity building 
activities through its Special Programme for Development of Capacities (IUFRO -SPDC). These 
activities strengthen research programmes and enhance the development and implementation of 
sound forest management policies and practices through the generation and dissemination of 
quality -research results on forests and trees. IUFRO -SPDC 's capacity -building activities concentrate 
on assisting forest research institutions in partner developing countries to effectively contribute t o 
shaping national and local forest policies and sustainable forest management systems 
(see http://www.iufro.org/science/special/spdc/ ). 
10.4  Supporting Information Services and Knowledge Dissemination  
190.  The United States supports the provision of information services to scientists and policymakers 
in developing countries through the Global Forest Information Service (GFIS). GFIS provides a 
framework for sharing forest -related data and information through a single gateway and promotes 
the dissemination and sharing of forest information and knowledge by developing a common 
information exchange platform, building capacity, and enhancing partnerships among forestry 
information providers and users (see http://www.gfis.net/ ). 
10.5  Country Programmes  
10.5.1   USFS Inter -Agency Agreement – Zambia  (EDEV)  
191.  This activity supports USFS assessments to identify priority issues that address climate 
change, biodiversity, forestry and othe r natural resource management. Technical assistance to the 
Government of Zambia (GRZ) includes training in cartography, use of Geographic Information 
Systems software for analysis, and in remote sensing. Ongoing targets are to: facilitate short -term 
techni cal assistance to the Zambia Environment Management Agency (ZEMA) through embedding 
an Environment Advisor to help with Greenhouse Gas Inventory reporting; provide technical 
assistance to the Zambia Forestry Department (ZFD) by embedding a REDD+ and Forest ry Advisor 
to support forest monitoring, reporting, and verification systems; provide short -term technical 
assistance on forest management, including workshops for provincial and district staff, and fire 
management training to enhance their capacity; facil itate technical expertise in GIS and forest 
boundary delineation as well as procurement of topographic maps for all the nine districts at the 
Forestry Department in Eastern Province.  
192.  In FY 2019, USAID embedded both the Environment Advisor in ZEMA and the R EDD+ and 
Forestry Advisor in ZFD. The Advisor to ZEMA has already begun working across the Zambian 
government to support the compilation, analysis and reporting of the greenhouse gas inventory, and 
the development of the Nationally Determined Contribution Implementation Plan. Working with the 
ZFD, USAID supported numerous workshops and trainings that increased ZFD capacity on boundary 
delineation and forest cover change mapping, as well as for fire management. The Advisor has also 
led efforts on emission fa ctor development.  
10.5.2   Keo Seima Conservation Project - Cambodia  
193.  USAID 's Keo Seima project aims to improve biodiversity conservation and ecosystem health 
in the Eastern Plains Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary (KSWS) and its corridors. This includes support 
to local  authorities to monitor law enforcement effectiveness and adapt management using Spatial 
Monitoring and Reporting Tool (SMART) GIS technology. Also, the project establishes sustainable 
financing mechanisms, such as Payment for Ecosystem Services and sale o f carbon credits, and 
sustainable intensification of agriculture. The key successes of the activity in FY 2019 are the 
following:  
• Revealed  762 hectares of deforestation inside KSWS using remote sensing analysis from GIS 
technology;  
• Discovered second otter species  in KSWS, confirmed by camera trap photo;  
• Completed a Non -Timber Forest Product (NTFP) value chain assessment in seven villages in 
KSWS. Facilitated dialogue between private companies and the Community Protected Area 
(CPA) management committee and b amboo entrepreneur group to match bamboo demand and 
supply, and form a long -term strategy for bamboo in the CPA;  IP/C/W/656/Add.2  
 
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  • Improved facilities for ecotourism at Jahoo Gibbon Camp and conducted hospitality training to 
community members; and  
• Supported Andoung Kraloeng  in the rejection of an application by outsiders to clear land within 
their indigenous communal land title (ICT).  
10.5.3   Africa and Middle East Region  
194.  In the Africa and Middle East Region (AME), the US Forest Service (USFS) works in over 30 
countries to address natural resource challenges in the least and most forested countries in the 
world. USFS partners with a suite of organizations including US Gover nment entities  (USAID, State 
Department, Department of Defence ), host country governments, academic institutions, and 
non-governmental organizations to promote technology transfer and the exchange of best practices 
to enhance natural resource management, e conomic development, and improve community 
resilience.  
195.  Specifically, the AME region provides targeted, long -term technical support and technology 
transfer to our partners on monitoring, reporting and verification for greenhouse gas emissions 
accounting for  agriculture, forests and other land uses including systems development, land cover 
mapping, and land use change analyses. USFS also supports broader US Government efforts  at 
mitigating environmental crime in the region by providing training on law enforce ment and 
investigations, and wood identification techniques and technologies for countering illegal logging. 
The Agency draws on its deep domestic expertise to assist countries in the AME region with landscape 
restoration - from seed sourcing and managemen t, to cutting edge science/technology for 
nursery/plant production, to best practices for planning and implementing restoration projects at 
different scales. Across Africa and the Middle East, USFS helps host country governments provide 
adequate support to  local populations during and after fire and all -hazard disasters by supporting 
institutional strengthening and capability for national and on -site incident management, emergency 
operations and coordination, firefighting, post -incident response, and pre -preparedness, using USFS 
systems and technologies adapted for host -country contexts. Lastly, the Agency assists partners 
with watershed management at different scales, sharing tools and technologies from the US that 
can be adapted to help partner countries i nclude landscape -level water conservation as part of water 
security strategies.  
10.5.4   Climate Fellows (CF) Programme – Democratic Republic of the Congo  
196.  The CF programme provides technical assistance to the Government of the Democratic 
Republic of the Congo for sustainable management of forest resources and national efforts to reduce 
emissions and enhance removals of greenhouse gases in the forestry and other land use sectors. A 
CF (technical expert) has been embedded within the Ministry of Forest Economy and pro vides 
training and capacity building to technical staff of the National Centre for the Inventory and 
Management of Forest and Wildlife Resources (CNIAF) and the Directorate General of Sustainable 
Development in the Ministry of Tourism and Environment. Spec ific areas for capacity building and 
training include: remote sensing, interpretation of satellite images, forest inventory and 
management, Geographic Information System (GIS), Greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting and other 
relevant technical and policy process es/issues related to the sustainable management of forests, 
avoided deforestation and forest degradation, conservation and enhancement of forest carbon stocks 
(afforestation and reforestation).  
10.5.5   High Level Policy Dialogue Agricultural Biotechnology (HLPDAB)  and APEC Two 
Part Workshop: Agricultural Biotechnology Regulatory Cooperation and Genome Editing – 
Myanmar  
197.  USDA 's workshops involve discussions about the current environment of agricultural 
biotechnology including issues and concerns along with the succes ses and the uses of the technology 
in response to climate change, scarce resources and food security. In Myanmar, government officials 
are responsible for agricultural biotechnology.  
10.5.6   Lacey Act – Illegal Logging – Myanmar  
198.  A US NGO, The Nature Conservancy ( TNC), collaborates with the Thailand -based Center for 
Peoples and Forests on a Myanmar initiative as part of the Responsible Asia Forestry and Trade IP/C/W/656/Add.2  
 
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  program, partially funded by the Department of State (a small part of a larger grant to TNC of 
USD 700,000 from 2013 -2018). TNC recently concluded a multiyear in -depth study of Burmese 
production and trade cycles and forestry sector reforms to identify actions that can stabilize and 
restore Myanmar 's production forests, with a focus on multi -stakeholder process es and civil society 
engagement.  While the grant has concluded, TNC continues to work with stakeholders in Myanmar. 
US agencies, especially the US Department of Justice (DOJ), are actively exploring opportunities to 
build the capacity of Burmese counterpar ts through training on law enforcement related to natural 
resources, with a focus on forest crimes.  DOJ (Environment and National Resources Division ENRD) 
organized a workshop to Combat Illegal Timber Trafficking in March 2019 and another workshop in 
Manda lay in September. The workshop included judges and prosecutors, with UAGO, Forest 
Department, the Supreme Court, and Forest Police sharing their experiences.  
10.5.7   Community Wildlife Protection (CWP) Project  
199.  The CWP Project is implemented over 2019 -2021 in Mumbw a and Namwala Game 
Management Areas (GMAs), two of the nine Game Management Areas that together with the Kafue 
National Park form the Greater Kafue Landscape (GKL). The aim of the project is to increase 
community action for combating poaching and other ill egal activities in order to reduce poaching 
and increase conditions for communities to realize benefits from wildlife -based enterprises such as 
sustainable tourism, hunting and game ranching conservation, thereby contributing to the broader 
effort to conse rve the GKL. The project targets are:  
• Strengthen the Namwala and Mumbwa CRBs to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of Law 
Enforcement Operations and curb wildlife crime in the area;  
• Create an Intensive Patrol Zone (IPZ) of approximately 1,700 km2 in the western section of 
the Mumbwa GMA and the north -western Section of the Namwala GMA for increased 
anti-poaching operations; and  
• Improve Fire Management in Mumbwa and Namwala GMAs.  
10.5.8   Strengthening Earthquake Resilience in Bangladesh (SERB) – Bangladesh  
200.  USAID 's SERB programme is implemented through a Grant Agreement with Asian Disaster 
Preparedness Center (ADPC). The project aims at earthquake capacity building of the Government 
of Bangladesh. This capacity building will be accomplished by enha ncing the capacity of the hospital 
management staff (doctors, nurses, administrative staff, et al.) in 25 public hospitals in the cities of 
Dhaka, Chittagong, Sylhet, Gazipur, Mymensingh, Narayeangonj, Manikgonj, Rangpur, Tangail, 
Cox's Bazar, Bandarban an d Rangamati for preparedness to manage mass casualties after an 
earthquake. Additionally, the capacity of Fire Service and Civil Defence  (FSCD) will strengthen by 
providing equipment to volunteers for conducting search and rescue operations. The total proj ected 
investment for the programme is USD 1.9 million, and the programme will train 660 hospital 
personnel and will provide 171 sets of rescue and search equipment to FSCD. The programme will 
conclude in November 2019 and is in partnership with Asian Disas ter Preparedness Center, Ministry 
of Disaster Management and Relief, Directorate General of Health Services, and Fire Service and 
Civil Defence  Directorate.  
10.5.9   Coastal City Adaptation Project – Mozambique  
201.  The goal of the Coastal City Adaptation Project (CCAP)  was to increase climate resilience in 
selected Mozambican coastal cities. In partnership with the United Nations Human Settlements 
Programme (UN Habitat) and USAID, CCAP worked in the cities of Pemba and Quelimane to construct 
24 model houses that are low  cost, made of local materials, and resilient to high winds, flooding, 
and other climate related natural hazards. A key component of the activity was to disseminate the 
construction techniques to home builders, students, designers, government officials, an d other 
decision makers across Mozambique. The project closed in FY 2019.  
10.5.10   USAID Wildlife Sanctuary Support Programme – Cambodia  
202.  USAID 's Wildlife Sanctuary Support Programme promotes biodiversity conservation and 
ecosystem health in the Phnom Prich Wildlife  Sanctuary (PPWS), Srepok Wildlife Sanctuary (SWP), 
and their extended landscapes. The programme consists of: monitoring population and density of IP/C/W/656/Add.2  
 
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  ungulate species such as banteng, wild pig, and muntjac; monitoring deforestation trends and 
challenges in ma naging and preserving PPWS and SWS; ensuring timely responses to threats 
impacting SWS and PPWS, such as poaching and logging; and providing support to provincial 
authorities for effective law enforcement and Protected Area management, including patrolling  with 
forest rangers and compiling case evidence for courts. The key successes in FY 2019 are the 
following:  
• 217 checkpoints set up to strategically and effectively monitor and halt illegal forest and wildlife 
activities;  
• A line transect survey in PPWS an d SWS was conducted in 2018, which revealed a decrease in 
population size of 66% for banteng and 39% for muntjac, and an increase of 5.7% for wild pig 
compared to 2016 data; and  
• An acoustic survey of the yellow -cheeked crested gibbon was undertaken and a comprehensive 
survey finding report is expected and will be shared with the relevant stakeholders by December 
2019.  
10.5.11   Environmental Governance Reform for Sustainable Development (EGR) – 
Cambodia  
203.  The objective of EGR is to assist the Royal Go vernment of Cambodia to facilitate environmental 
governance reforms and create an enabling policy and legal environment for conserving and 
protecting environmental resources at risk. This will be achieved through operationalizing a new 
structure of the Min istry of Environment (MOE), a new National Council for Sustainable Development 
(NCSD) Organizational Structure and Authorities, enacting a new Environmental Code, and 
developing and operationalizing integrated ecosystem mapping. The total estimated cost is  
USD 3.5 million and funding is from USAID. Key successes of the activity in FY 2019 are the 
following:  
• Installation of a new Human  Resource Management system is underway to increase 
accountability for staff performance;  
• Produced the final technical draf t of the Environmental and Natural Resources Management 
Code and submitted it to the Ministry of Environment in April 2018. The MOE and NCSD are 
leading inter -ministerial coordination in preparation to submit the Code to the Council of 
Ministers and Nation al Assembly for enactment;  
• Ecosystem mapping: Created a Decision Support System (DSS), GIS portal which will assist 
decision makers in visualizing and identifying areas suitable for specific uses, such as areas for 
(i) intensified conservation and protect ion efforts, (ii) community tenure, and (iii) 
developmental activities; and 
• Produced and endorsed a Strategy and Action Plan for the MOE GIS department to expand the 
application of the data in decision making using the DSS.  
11  PROGRAMMING AND INCENTIVES RELATED T O HEALTH   
204.  Health research through  biomedical and beh avioural funding activities of US agencies, 
including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), USAID, and Centres  for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC), have contributed to technolo gy transfer and research capacity strengthening in 
many LDCs. For new technologies developed by US scientists, NIH licenses biological materials 
and/or patent rights, to institutions that can bring products to the market in or for LDCs.  
11.1  National Institutes  of Health (NIH)  
205.  In FY 201 9, the NIH invested in over 1, 550 research projects in low - and middle -income 
countries (LMICs) countries most of which were led by US Principal Investigators (PIs) who, in turn, 
collaborated with LMIC scientists at a myriad of re search institutions throughout the world.  These 
projects were supported by 23 of the 27 NIH Institutes and Centres  (ICs), led by the National 
Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the Fogarty International Center, the National Institute 
of Mental H ealth, the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the National Cancer 
Institute, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, the National Institute of Diabetes and IP/C/W/656/Add.2  
 
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  Digestive and Kidney Diseases, and eleven other ICs. Many of these pro jects involved technology 
transfer.   
11.2  Innovative Mobile Health (mHealth)  
206.  NIH encourages exploratory/developmental research applications that propose to study the 
development or adaptation of mHealth technology specifically suited for LMIC and the health -related 
outcomes associated with implementation of the technology. The most sought after are 
well-designed multidisciplinary projects that focus on tools or interventions for chronic diseases or 
technology for disease agnostic/cross -cutting applications. Inno vative, well -designed, 
multidisciplinary projects are of highest interest and aim to generate generalizable knowledge for 
the field.  
11.3  Health Information Systems for HIV Epidemic Control and Health Security – Uganda  
207.  As Uganda approaches HIV epidemic control and improves capacity to prevent, detect and 
respond to outbreaks, the US Government continues to provide substantial resource and technical 
support for building health information system (HIS) capacity. Through the President 's Emergency 
Plan for AIDS Reli ef (PEPFAR) and Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) programs, US Government 
staff, local NGOs, and the government of Uganda officials have developed electronic medical records, 
laboratory information systems, and specimen and commodities tracking systems.  These analytical 
tools and dashboards help health professionals from community to national levels provide quality 
patient care, and monitor disease outbreaks and responses. Health Information Exchanges have 
enabled the automatic relay of data via the inte rnet from remote health facilities across nationwide 
to a national repository dashboard to monitor priority tests, such as early infant diagnosis of HIV 
and TB  (tuberculosis) . 
11.4  Africa Laboratory Information System – Uganda  
208.  To simplify, standardize, and main tain good laboratory practice towards accreditation, the 
Ministry of Health (MOH), with Center for Disease Control support, customized the open source 
Computing for Good Basic Laboratory Information System software, renaming it the Africa 
Laboratory Inform ation System (ALIS). ALIS captures real time laboratory testing data used for both 
clinical decision -making and health indicator reporting. Using automated laboratory equipment, the 
MOH enhanced ALIS ' capabilities enabling automatic relay of data over the internet from remote 
health facilities across the country to a central national repository used to populate dashboards for 
monitoring diseases, such as HIV and TB. ALIS is in process of being rolled out in Uganda, and will 
be adopted by the other four East  African Community countries as a regional disease management 
information system.  
11.5  Building Capacity for Lab Equipment Maintenance – Uganda  
209.  Building in -country capacity for lab equipment maintenance has significantly reduced 
equipment breakdowns and downti me (from more than a month to less than a week), thereby 
minimizing testing interruptions. With funding from the President 's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief 
(PEPFAR), the Ministry of Health (MOH) established a national lab calibration centre  at the Central 
Public Health Laboratory. Ugandan biomedical engineers and technicians are now able to provide 
equipment calibration services to health facilities across the country, a service that previously had 
to be outsourced. This programme also suppo rted the MOH to establish regional equipment 
maintenance workshops that are able to maintain lab equipment within their catchment areas at a 
fraction of the outsourcing cost. The capacity built serves the needs of the PEPFAR programme and 
benefits Global H ealth Security, and other laboratory surveillance systems.  
11.6  The Human Heredity and Health in Africa (H3Africa) Initiative emailed NIH  
210.  H3Africa is a partnership between NIH, the African Society of Human Genetics, and the 
Welcome Trust through the Alliance  for Accelerating Science in Africa (AESA). H3Africa fosters 
genomic and epidemiological research in African scientific institutions. Many Institutes and Center 
across NIH have partnered to support H3Africa, and NIH leadership on the Initiative comes from the  
NIH Common Fund, and NIH 's National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) and Fogarty 
International Center. By FY 2019, H3Africa, funded at USD 180 million over ten years, and is focused IP/C/W/656/Add.2  
 
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  on capacity building, as well as specific scientific goals. These research grants are awarded directly 
to African institutions where principal investigators are based, which allow African scientists to 
develop and direct their independent research agendas. The programme encourages the formation 
of intracontinental collab orations and development of specific infrastructural elements, i.e., 
African -based biorepositories and a pan -African bioinformatics network. H3Africa also includes 
training programmes aimed at retaining African scientists on the continent to help build a 
sustainable, critical mass of researchers. H3Africa has funded research and training in the following 
LDC countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, The Gambia, 
Malawi, Mali, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.H3Africa is making a 
major contribution to technology transfer in sub -Saharan Africa.  The goal is to ensure good science 
can be pursued in African countries.  
11.7  Biomedical Engineering Programme - Zambia  
211.  CDC's Biomedical Engineering Program 's goal is to establish three National Laboratory 
equipment repair and calibration centres . These centres  are refurbished and are being equipped and 
mentored to calibrate or repair selected equipment from diagnostic laboratories. The centres  will 
ultimately  self-sustain by charging fees for services and/or internal charge back. Twenty -seven 
biomedical technicians have been trained, provided with repair and calibration equipment, and are 
beginning to utilize the facilities to service selected MOH equipment. C DC, through the Association 
of Public Health Laboratories, will continue to work with MOH in FY 2020 to co -manage the calibration 
centres  and establish a target date for full hand -over to MOH.  
11.8  Growing eHealth expertise knowledge and skills – Papua New Guin ea 
212.  CDC PNG has continued its ' strong partnership with the Papua New Guinea (PNG) National 
Department of Health (NDoH) to expand on technology solutions in the eHealth space. The 
deployment of PNGs first lab information system for viral load testing has res ulted in reduced 
turn-around times and significantly improved the management of people living with HIV (PLHIV) on 
treatment to achieve viral load suppression. The GEEKS (Growing eHealth expertise knowledge and 
skills) programme coordinated by CDC has deliv ered the first decentralized disease surveillance 
system in the country while building technical capacity within NDoH. CDC PNG 's second cohort of 
GEEKS trainees will be leading the development of a National HIV Data hub that will integrate all 
HIV data sys tems into the national health information system to give near -real time access to 
case-based  disease reporting at the sub -national and national level. This is expected to have a major 
impact on the monitoring, coordination and effectiveness of the HIV resp onse in FY 2019.  
11.9  Integrated Decision and Analytics Support (IDeAS) for Zambia under Broadreach 
Inc. – Zambia (CDC)  
213.  Broadreach, in collaboration with CDC, supports the MOH in Zambia to develop and maximize 
the application of health information systems for data management through the increase data use 
by all cadres in the health sector to improve quality of data for evidence -based policy and 
decision -making. It supports the national electronic health record system (SmartCare) and has 
harnessed mobile technol ogy to enhance the use of the EHR to support community services using 
hand held devices; in addition to linking the electronic health records (HER) with other systems like 
Laboratory Information Systems and Electronic Logistic Management Information System s. Its 
targets are increasing access to and use of data from HIS for programme planning, policy and 
decision making in the health sector, to improve programmes in country using evidence -based and 
data driven approach, as well as to improve the quality of h ealth care to help achieve the best 
possible outcomes for HIV/TB (tuberculosis) patients. In 2018 the Zambian government officially 
adopted SmartCare as the primary electronic health record system for Zambia and it has since been 
rolled out to nearly 700 h ealth facilities all over Zambia with plans to reach 1,029 facilities by the 
end of FY 2020. CDC, through Broadreach, is currently in the early stages of integrating the EHR 
with a finger print Biometric identification system in order to improve unique pat ient identification. 
This system is being deployed initially to ten high volume sites in FY 2019 before further roll out to 
additional targeted sites countrywide in FY 2020.  IP/C/W/656/Add.2  
 
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  11.10   Fogarty International Center  
214.  NIH's Fogarty International Center is dedicated to ad vancing the NIH by supporting and 
facilitating global health research  conducted by US and international investigators, building 
partnerships between health research institutions in the United States and abroad, and training the 
next generation of scientist s to address global health needs. These long -term investments in science 
help to promote technology transfer to LMICs.  
11.11   NIH Research Training Programmes for Low -and-Middle -Income -Countries  
215.  NIH's Fogarty International Centre  supports several research trainin gs programmes that 
include training for LMICs biomedical researchers and research institutions and contribute to 
technology transfer and capacity building. Programmes include the Global Infectious Disease 
Program, the Fogarty HIV Research Training Programm e and the Health Professional Education 
Partnership Initiative. The programmes involve researchers and health professionals from LMIC 
countries (see https://www.fic.nih.gov/Programs/Pages/default.aspx ). 
11.12   District Health Information Software 2  (DHIS2)  
216.  DHIS2 is a free and open source health management data platform used by multiple 
organizations and governments worldwide.  
11.12.1   DHIS2 – Mali 
217.  USAID deployed DHIS 2 under the Measure Evaluation programme . The programme continues 
to work with the MOH to improve the National Health Information Management System for the 
purpose of getting real -time data for decision making. DHIS2 includes indicators of all Health 
Progr ammes and provides timely, quality and comprehensive data, as well as replaces the use of 
paper forms and cell phone technology for this purpose in FY 2019. In FY 2016, USAID/Mali through 
its projects continued the expanded use of cell phones for data coll ection and reporting in the regions 
of Mopti, Segou and Kayes. This data collection method is still in use for early detection of malaria 
cases in these epidemic -prone regions and helps provide information in a timely manner for prompt 
medical response. The deployment of DHIS2 has been completed in almost all the health facilities in 
Mali. In FY 2019, Measure Evaluation will improve the ability of Ministry of Health officials to collect, 
analyse and use routine health data for real -time decision -making. The y will also build country 
capacity to self -manage the health information systems, resources and staff.   
11.12.2   DHIS2 – Guinea  
218.  In Guinea, DHIS2 was implemented from the national to the prefecture level in FY 2019, with 
active participation and technical assistance  from USAID and CDC partners. DHIS2 has now become 
the surveillance data system for the management of all routine surveillance data (e.g. malaria, 
diabetes, HIV, etc.) as well as those collected during emergencies (e.g., Ebola, Yellow Fever, 
Meningitis, Me asles).  
11.12.3   DHIS2 – Angola  
219.  The Government of Angola decided to join 60 other countries in 2017 and adopt the District 2 
Health System Information (DHIS2) platform.  In FY 2019, USAID, through the 
President 's Malaria  Initiative (PMI), supported Angola with USD  942,413  in assistance for the 
implementation of DHIS2. In FY 2018, Angola also adopted an Electronic Logistics Management 
System (eLMIS) to improve the management of its supply chain for health -related items. USAID 
supported this activity with an investment  of USD  582,934 from PMI and Family Planning funds. In 
FY 2018, CDC, through the President 's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), supported Angola 
with over USD 250,000 in assistance for implementation of the HIV portion of DHIS2.  IP/C/W/656/Add.2  
 
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  11.13   Additional Country P rograms  
11.13.1   Construction of National Reference Laboratory – Liberia  
220.  The Department of Defence  is assisting the Government of Liberia with the design, 
construction, and operationalization of a national reference laboratory in Monrovia, Liberia. This 
effort is d esigned to establish a Liberian capacity to facilitate the detection, diagnosis, and reporting 
of pathogens and diseases of potential security concern. This effort also provides for safe and secure 
short-term storage of pathogens of potential security conc ern. In coordination with other US 
agencies, including USAID, the CDC, and the NIH, the US Government will also continue to train the 
technical staff and leadership of the newly established National Public Health Institute of Liberia to 
operationalize the laboratory facility, which will be completed by 2020.  
11.13.2   Defeat Malaria – Myanmar  
221.  USAID 's Programme "Defeat Malaria " supports comprehensive coverage of at -risk populations 
in three states covering three million people with malaria prevention, diagnosis and treatment 
interventions. Key objectives include strengthening the malaria surveillance system to monitor 
progress and respond to outbreaks; support the National Malaria Control Program; and promote the 
involvement of communities, private healthcare provide rs, and state -owned enterprises in malaria 
control and elimination initiatives. Defeat malaria will support Myanmar to introduce and 
demonstrate the effectiveness of new Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) technology for malaria.  
11.13.3   Maternal and Child Survival Progra mme – Myanmar  
222.  USAID 's Maternal and Child Survival Programme aims to improve maternal and child health in 
selected townships and communities by creating an enabling policy environment through support 
for development of policies, as well as improve the quality and effectiveness of midwifery in -service 
training, etc.  This includes support to introduce and scale up the use of anatomical models and 
related health care technology for improving skills -based training for nurses, midwives, and other 
health providers in managing labour , delivery and neonatal care. The program me concluded 
successfully in June 2019.  
11.13.4   Maternal and Child Health Survival Programme (MCSP) – Tanzania  
223.  In FY 2019, USAID 's MCSP field support worked to end preventable child and maternal deaths. 
MCSP in Tanzania has continued supporting the Ministry of Hea lth, Community Development, 
Gender, Elderly and Children (MOHCDGEC) to strengthen pre -service education of nurse -midwives, 
align national health information systems through one Health Information Mediator, and sustain 
quality cervical cancer prevention (CE CAP) services. MCSP has designed the Ministry of Health 's 
Enterprise Architecture (EA) within its eHealth Strategy to ensure that different health -related 
electronic information systems are interoperable. It also developed a data warehouse to facilitate 
data analysis for improved evidence -based decision -making. MCSP continued supporting the 
implementation of Health Information Mediator (HIM) - a platform for data exchange and sharing 
across multiple systems; and a Health Data Repository (HDR) to collate cli ent level data from 
multiple health facilities through the mediator. Furthermore, MCSP has strengthened pre -service 
training institutions and promote the timely recruitment of competent new graduates to deliver 
quality MCH, HIV, malaria and FP services. Wi th MCH funds, MCSP has supported the introduction 
of new vaccines and strengthened Tanzania 's routine immunization platform. FP funds will co -fund 
EA efforts and strengthen FP components of pre -service training program mes. 
11.13.5   Joint USAID & UN Programme on HIV /AIDS – Myanmar  
224.  The programme aims to advance access to HIV prevention and treatment, through support to 
civil society organizations (CSOs), and work with government and CSOs to promote a multi -sectoral 
response to injected drug use that includes access t o HIV prevention and treatment and other 
services.  IP/C/W/656/Add.2  
 
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  11.13.6   The Three Millennium Development Goals Multi -Donor Trust Fund (3MDG) – 
Myanmar  
225.  USAID funds support sub -grants to international and national NGOs for work on maternal and 
child health and health systems st rengthening, with the overall aim of improving access to quality 
health services. USAID funds leverage funds from six other donors, including programming in HIV, 
TB, and malaria.  This project ended in December 2018; in January 2019, USAID launched a follow -on 
fund, the Access to Health Fund, in partnership with Britain, Sweden and Switzerland. This 
USD 215 million fund operated by UNOPS improves access to essential health services by 
underserved vulnerable people living in conflict -affected parts of the cou ntry. 
11.13.7   Global Health Procurement & Supply Management  
226.  USAID, along with Chemonics, supports the MOH to strengthen and unify the public health 
supply chain, and provide logistics technical assistance as well as procurement of selected 
commodities in support of malaria, HIV and TB programmes to improve the availability of essential 
medicines and supplies.  
11.13.8   Global Health Supply Chain Technical Assistance - Tanzania  
227.  USAID 's Global Health Supply Chain Technical assistance, running between 2019 -2021, will 
improve t he health commodities supply chain in Tanzania. The activity is expected to lead to better 
commodity availability and improved health outcomes for Tanzania. This activity will improve the 
health commodities supply chain by: 1) assisting the Tanzania Minist ry of Health to implement 
relevant strategic plans; 2) establishing a governance platform to manage future system 
changes/updates to the electronic logistics management information system; 3) supporting key 
supply chain actors to use the Logistics Manageme nt Unit 's performance monitoring plans for greater 
accountability; 4) strengthening the governance of the supply chain system at the district level by 
tracking stock availability; 5) institutionalizing supply chain data quality and use; 6) supporting the 
rollout of results -based financing in the country; and 7) assisting the Ministry of Health 
Pharmaceutical Services Unit and Policy Planning Unit to better budget for health commodities.  
11.13.9   HIV Rapid Diagnosis Test (RDT) – Burundi  
228.  In FY 2019, RDT provided HIV t esting and counselling  in five supported provinces in Burundi. 
The USD 540,000 USAID programme procured the tests and managed the supply chain, as well as 
provided training for clinical staff of the Government of Burundi as well as civil society clinicians . In 
addition, USAID supported development of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and support 
supervisory visits to ensure quality. Implementation of the project resulted in 485,000 Burundians 
being tested for HIV and provided the Government of Burundi an d civil society organizations with 
capacity, equipment, and procedures to continue HIV testing.  
11.13.10   HIV Self Tests – Burundi  
229.  This PEPFAR programme provided in FY 2019 HIV testing in hard to reach populations such as 
female sex workers and men who have sex wit h men. USAID supported training of public clinic staff 
and peer educators by NGO implementers to teach key populations how to administer the test and 
link themselves to clinics for confirmatory reactive tests. The implementation of the project resulted 
in 10,000 Burundians in hard to reach populations being tested for HIV and knowledge transfer to 
government and NGO staff on administering the test and ensuring proper follow -up. 
11.13.11   Abbott Viral Load and Early Infant Diagnosis tests – Burundi  
230.  This USD 450,000 USAID and Department of Defence  programme provided in FY 2019 Viral 
Load and Early Infant Diagnosis tests in five supported provinces. USAID procures the test material 
and oversees the supply chain to ensure there are no stock -outs, and pr ovides training of both public 
and civil society lab staff to conduct the tests and report the results back to patients. Implementation 
of the project resulted in 20,000 Burundian infants of infected mothers with HIV being tested and 
the Government of Buru ndi and civil society organizations having the capacity, equipment, and 
procedures to continue testing.  IP/C/W/656/Add.2  
 
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  11.13.12   Measure Evaluation Phase IV – Mali 
231.  National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) has been collaborating with Mali 
for almost 30 years on  research related to malaria, vector biology, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and other 
infectious diseases of interest. This longstanding partnership has led to increased research capacity 
and the training of over 150 Malian researchers at laboratories in Mali an d on the NIH campus.  Most 
of the trainees have returned to Mali and have been embedded within the NIH programmes in Mali 
as contractors to the University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako (USTTB), which 
is NIH 's main partner in Mali. The c ollaboration between NIH and USTTB has allowed the publication 
of over 450 articles that have been published in very well reputed international journals to share 
research results.  
11.13.13   EQUIP Consortium – Zambia (USAID Health)  
232.  USAID and EQUIP Consortium work to advance state -of-the-art models of [HIV] Anti -Retroviral 
Therapy (ART) service delivery, implement Test and Start strategies, and incorporate innovative 
approaches to support viral load scale -up. It also develops strategies and technologies to more 
effecti vely identify and link ART patients to treatment and foster ongoing adherence and retention, 
while targeting methods that address the needs of key populations. The targets are to provide 
experience and technical expertise in high -quality HIV services deliv ery, innovate new approaches 
to service delivery, scale -up viral -load technology, and analyse  cost and outcome data to optimize 
cost-effectiveness of HIV programming. EQUIP has developed and continued to scale -up a 
Centralized Dispensing Unit (CDU). The CD U is a semi -automated health commodity warehouse and 
delivery system that delivers HIV treatment drugs to private pharmacies of a patient 's choosing. By 
allowing patients to pick up drugs at locations that are convenient to them, they are more likely to 
stay on lifelong treatment.  
11.13.14   Promoting the Quality of Medicines (PQM) – Bangladesh  
233.  The overall goal of the PQM is to provide technical assistance to the Directorate General of 
Drug Administration (DGDA) under the MOH & Family Welfare to improve pharmaceutical  regulatory 
system through the strengthening of the DTL. The ultimate goal is for the drug testing laboratory 
(DTL) to obtain either WHO prequalification or ISO 17025 -laboratory accreditation. The programme 
intends to implement a robust system that ensures  the reliability of the data produced by the DTL, 
and improve the safety of medicinal products through the strengthening of the DTL to conduct quality 
sample testing of pre and post approval samples in order to address quality -assurance related 
aspects of procurement. Its goal is to improve the compliance of selected pharmaceutical 
manufacturers with regard to good manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and support them in dossier 
preparation for WHO prequalification systems for public health medicines, such as MNC H and TB 
drugs. The USD 6 million programme also fosters collaboration with SIAPS to expand the availability 
of quality -assured medicines and support system strengthening efforts directed toward improving 
the quality of medicines at the country level, and tests medicine samples, as needed, for USAID and 
USAID 's collaborating partners. The programme will also develop pharmacopeia monographs and 
reference standards, as well as new medicines quality assurance tools, approaches, and 
methodologies as needed and conclude d in September 2019.  
11.13.15   Advancing Universal Health Coverage (AUHC) – Bangladesh  
234.  USAID 's AUHC Project provides people of Bangladesh with high -quality essential health and 
family planning services, while offering financial protection for those who cann ot pay for services. 
The specific objective of the project is to support a transition of 399 Smiling Sun (Surjer Hashi) 
clinics to a unified, sustainable, gender sensitive pro -poor social enterprise through developing 
innovative business models, expanding evidence -based quality  health -service packages, and 
experimenting with new health -service delivery options that will increase access to a wider range of 
services. Another goal is encouraging  systemic use of scientific evidence and technical knowledge to 
design, develop, test, and evaluate potential new products and services to advance Universal Health 
Coverage (UHC) in Bangladesh. With a total investment of USD 90 million, the project will support 
Bangladesh 's journey towards UHC by improving access for the  poor to an expanded range of 
essential services offered by a social enterprise in a financially sustainable model. The project is on 
track to be completed in 2022.  IP/C/W/656/Add.2  
 
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  11.13.16   Research for Decision Makers – Bangladesh  
235.  The purpose of the activity is to conduct implementation research in response to Government 
of Bangladesh (GOB) priorities, provide advisory services to GOB for health policy work, and build 
health -sector research capacity in country. As the GOB plans its next health sector plan and USAID 
plans it s next five -year health strategy, the need to improve and support the utilization of evidence 
for health sector decision -making becomes even more critical. The  purpose of the award is to provide 
evidence -based policy analysis and programmatic guidance to a ssist the GOB, USAID, and partners 
in strategic decision -making on health.  
236.  The activity has three primary elements: 1) conduct implementation research on priority 
health, nutrition and population issues and facilitate use of research findings; 2) provide policy 
analysis and other advisory services to GOB/USAID/USAID partners to assist in health planning and 
decision making; 3) and build capacity within Bangladesh to implement high quality research and 
effectively communicate research findings among various  stakeholders. The research and related 
activities examine policy and programmatic issues that will identify and support effective strategies 
for increasing access, use, quality and impact of maternal health, new born  and child health, 
nutrition, populatio n, and family planning/reproductive health, TB and selected non -communicable 
disease services in rural and urban areas of Bangladesh. This USD 15 million project will promote 
evidence -based  policy analysis and programmatic guidance that will assist the GOB , USAID and its 
partners to align their programmes in effective strategic directions to support the GOB 's 
USD 10 billion health sector programmes . The project is on track to be completed by 2022.  
11.13.17   Cooperative Biological Engagement Programme – Uganda  
237.  The Defence  Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) provided lab equipment, renovation, and 
training for six labs and facilities throughout Uganda. The programme aims to improve biosafety and 
biosecurity standards; enhance Uganda 's capability to detect, diagnose, a nd report infectious 
diseases; and facilitate collaborative research focused on dangerous pathogens.  
11.13.18   Cambodia Malaria Elimination Project (CMEP) – Cambodia  
238.  USAID 's CMEP objective is to develop a scalable, evidence -based malaria elimination model in 
Sampov Loun and support its dissemination and replication for malaria elimination in Cambodia. The 
project supports a scale -up of high-quality  malaria control and prevention interventions, and works 
to strengthen national malaria surveillance systems and monitori ng and evaluation appropriate for 
malaria elimination and control activities. CMEP also builds the capacity of MOH to manage, intensify, 
and sustain malaria control and elimination efforts. Through this USD 16.5 million programme funded 
by USAID, the key s uccesses of the activity in FY 2019 are:   
• Tested 46,883 people for malaria, of whom 16,285 were positive;  
• 100% of cases were treated; Distributed  37,277 insecticide treated nets;  
• Reached 277,710 people with health communication activities.  
11.13.19   NOURISH/Save t he Children – Cambodia  
239.  SAID's NOURISH programme works to reduce anaemia  in women and children and the age of 
stunting among children through promoting diversified food intake. Through this USD 19.2 million 
programme funded by USAID, Community Agents conduc ted community  Growth Monitoring 
Promotion sessions for 59,305 children under two years of age, of whom 29,774 are girls. A total of 
15,782 "first 1,000 Days " household members attended integrated nutrition education sessions by 
caregiver group facilitators  who have been empowered by NOURISH with new knowledge and skills. 
Here are the key successes in FY 2019:  
• Stunting rates among children under five years old reduced from 34.3% in 2015 to 27.8% in 
2018;  
• Diarrheal  incident among children under five years old  reduced from 37% in 2015 to 16.9% in 
2018;  IP/C/W/656/Add.2  
 
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  • Children six-23 months received minimum Acceptable Diet increased from 25.5% in 2015 to 
49.9% in 2018;  
• 30,548 (F=15,846; M=14,702) people gained access to a basic sanitation service, 15,846 are 
women;  
• 26,388 (F=1 3,279; M=13,109) children under two reached with community -level nutrition 
interventions;  
• Households using an improved latrine increased from 37% in to 63.3% in 2018;  and 
• 73 villages are certified as Open -Defecation Free communities.  
11.13.20   Quality Health Services (QHS) – Cambodia  
240.  USAID 's QHS programme works to strengthen and improve the quality and availability of 
services in public health facilities by continuing training and c oaching on a range of quality 
improvement methodologies in nine intervention provinces. QHS moved forward with several key 
training/coaching guidelines in maternal and new born  care, such as the poster on signs of sick 
new-borns , updates of existing eclamp sia/severe pre -eclampsia posters, and revision of the birth 
partograph. This USD 16.5 million programme recorded the following key successes in FY 2019:  
• The number of children under five whose nutritional status was assessed increased markedly, 
from 353,79 5 in 2016 to 452,695 in 2018;  
• The number of women giving birth who received uterotonics in the third stage of labour  
increased from 91,444 in 2016 to 531,693 in 2018;  
• The number of women/ new born  pairs who received at least three post national care visits  
increased from 25,423 in 2016 to 181,347 in 2018;  
• Trained 95% of health centre  staff in target provinces in intra -uterine device (IUD) and reached 
73% of staff with implant training.  
11.13.21   President 's Malaria Initiative (PMI) support to the MOH for entomologic 
monitoring – Zambia (USAID Health)  
241.  Entomologic monitoring is an essential component of malaria vector control programmes such 
as indoor residual spraying (IRS) campaigns. Entomological activities assess the impact of IRS on 
vector density and behaviour ; evaluate the quality of operations; and determine mosquito 
susceptibility to insecticides. At the district level PMI provided capacity building to district -level 
environmental health officers and human landing collectors to manage entomological data collecti on 
in six sentinel sites in four high malaria burden provinces. At the national level PMI provided training, 
mentorship and infrastructure development to the entomology laboratory. The National Malaria 
Elimination Center can now conduct its own analyses su ch as speciation of malaria vectors, 
sporozoite rates, and cone bioassays of insecticide longevity, which were previously outsourced. In 
response to changing epidemiologic patterns and programmatic needs, PMI supported the 
establishment of four new entomol ogic monitoring sites in Eastern, Luapula and Copperbelt 
Provinces in 2019.   
11.13.22   Eradicate Tuberculosis, Support to Ministry of Health for TB elimination  
242.  In order to be able to reach the remotest areas, during 2017 -2022, USAID and CDC 's Eradicate 
TB will use a proven OneStop TB Clinic with a multifunctional EasyDR X -ray that is capable of 
screening more than 300 people per day. The EasyDR X -ray is powered by a battery/inverter set 
that allows operation for six-eight hours independent fr om the electrical grid. The batteries will be 
charged by solar panels on the roof of the OneStop TB Clinic, strongly reducing cost for generator 
fuel. The key innovation is in the software with today 's digital X -ray systems, a high -quality chest 
radiograph  is presented on a computer screen within few seconds. This has created new 
opportunities to detect TB cases faster and at lower cost. Computer Aided Detection software for TB 
(CAD4TB) automatically analyses digital images with superior performance.  IP/C/W/656/Add.2  
 
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  Govern ment Official Lauds GLOBE Initiative  
243.  US Embassy in Senegal supported the Global Learning and Observation to Benefit the 
Environment (GLOBE) Initiative 's Engaging Citizens in the Forecasting and Observation of Mosquito 
Threats programme over the past year. In October 2018, the Embassy and representatives from 
Senegal 's Ministry of Environment participated in a GLOBE training workshop, distributing research 
kits and providing instruction to more than 30 students at the African Institute for Development 
Studie s in Dakar. In April 2019, the US Ambassador attended a demonstration of mosquito research 
techniques by GLOBE -trained high school students in the northern city of Saint -Louis. In her official 
report for 2019, Senegal 's National GLOBE coordinator noted tha t Senegal 's zika vector results were 
singled out at the GLOBE regional conference in April as the best on the African continent.  
11.13.23   Global Health Security Agenda - Emerging Pandemic Threats (EPT) - Guinea  
244.  The activities under the Emerging Pandemic Threats Pro gramme (EPT2) strengthen animal 
health laboratory capacity and networks, build surveillance systems in Guinea to quickly detect, and 
respond to important livestock and zoonotic diseases. EPT2 is implemented by the Food and 
Agricultural Organization (FAO) i n Guinea. The livestock sector struggles with timely reporting of 
disease outbreak, often due to the use of paper format tools and inefficient information flow. Event 
Mobile Application (EMA -i), an electronic app developed by FAO under the USAID funded EPT 2 
activity, has been made available for public and private veterinarians to facilitate quality and real 
time reporting of animal diseases in the field and in remote areas, allowing improved direct 
communication between stakeholders and quick decision makin g. To date, over 60 veterinary agents 
from the public and private sectors have received EMA -i App equipped smartphones and report 
information from 22 of the 38 prefectures in Guinea. The goal in the coming years will be to cover 
all prefectures and enable an efficient reporting system that informs decision making for both human 
and animal sectors.  
Government Official and Private Sector Doctor laud EPT  
245.  A Senior Adviser to the Minister of Livestock noted: "EMA-i improves greatly the transmission 
of health inf ormation from the district to the central level. We have a better understanding of 
epidemiological realities in the field, which enables quick decisions and collective action. "   
 
246.  A private veterinarian in Faranah said : "Today, the reporting of diseases be comes really easy 
with this tool. Prior to EMA -i, we could spend days or weeks before disease outbreak information 
reached the central level. With the EMA -i tool on my phone, everyone in the veterinary network 
connected to the app is informed. This tool is  more efficient because other prefectures are aware of 
an outbreak or a reported case instantly. The tool is user friendly and is customized for veterinarians. 
No need to print, it is cheaper and easier for reporting. I have installed the tool on two other  phones 
for my staff. I am able to record GPS locations even without network availability. In remote areas, 
I am able to input information without need for network. As soon as I reach town, I can send out 
the report to the highest level and receive timely feedback. "  
11.13.24   Laboratory Project Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) – 
Tanzania  
247.  Running during 2016 -2019, CDC 's Laboratory Project ECHO is a distance learning and 
mentorship model designed to build capacity for health care workers through sate llite training. Using 
the hub and spoke approach, CDC provides training and technical assistance to two facilities (hubs), 
and the more than 40 health facilities (spokes) in Tanzania. As of July 2019, the CDC -supported 
programme has trained more than 25 MD R tuberculosis management experts, and more than 2,400 
HIV rapid testers. This support involved more than 100 mentoring and training sessions. Participants 
are evaluated after each distance learning session and continue to show measurable gain in 
knowledge . The target for Lab Project ECHO is to train more than 15,000 HIV testing personnel at 
testing points in health facilities. Plan are also underway to expand Project ECHO to multiple hubs 
with the inclusion of all district hospitals as spoke sites.  
12  PROGRAMMING AND INCE NTIVES RELATED TO BU ILDING LABOR CAPACIT Y  
248.  US agencies, including the US Department of Labour  (DOL) and Department of State, seek to 
ensure that workers around the world are treated fairly and are able to share in the benefits of the IP/C/W/656/Add.2  
 
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  global economy. DOL has developed international projects and joint efforts that aid other countries 
and international organizations to better understand the problems facing workers throughout the 
world and to strengthen international labour  standards and wor ker protections.  These programmes 
build capacity in global labour  markets and help to level the playing field among trading partners.  
12.1  Country Programmes  
12.1.1   SAVABE Project – Madagascar  
249.  DOL funds USD 4 million SAVABE project during November 2016 – July 2020 w hereby the 
International Labour  Organization (ILO), with its implementing partner the Sustainable Vanilla 
Initiative, works to sustainably reduce child labour  in the production of vanilla as Madagascar 
produces 80% of the world 's supply.  The project seeks to fully implement the Vanilla Code of Conduct 
throughout the supply chain by, investing in education about child labour  issues, ensuring capable 
systems for monitoring and addressing child labour  issues, and investing in improving the livelihoods 
of vanil la producing communities including educational and vocational training opportunities for 
youth. The project is still ongoing.  
Madagascar Government Officials Applaud SAVABE  
250.  Officials from the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Labour  wrote two letters to DOL 
saying that the SAVABE project is "relevant and will support the implementation of the National 
Action Plan to eliminate the worst forms of child labour ."  
251.  In Octob er 2018, the Prime Minister and staff from the project team collaborated in the launch 
of Alliance 8.7 Pathfinder Country in Antananarivo. In a meeting with the Department of Labour  in 
August 2019, the Prime Minister also praised the project.  
12.1.2   Strengthened Capacities for Improved Coordination, Protection and Prosecution 
on Trafficking in Persons – Madagascar  
252.  International Organization for Migration is implementing a USD 750,000 grant from the US 
Department of State 's Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (J/TIP), in order to 
institutionalize victim -centred  investigations and prosecutions of TIP cases and national TIP referral 
mechanisms between government actors and civil society, as well as develop and strengthen TIP 
data collection and reporti ng mechanisms. The project is still ongoing.  
12.1.3   Cambodia Countering Trafficking in Persons (CTIP) Programme – Cambodia  
253.  USAID 's CTIP enhances national and local strategies to prevent TIP by focusing on root causes 
of trafficking relating to education, employm ent opportunities, and livelihoods. The programme 
provides strengthened survivor protection and services for all forms of TIP through victim 
identification strategies and reintegration options for men, women, and children. It also increases 
the likelihood of successful  prosecutions of TIP and reduced impunity for offenders. There are 356 
partners in this USD 10 million programme (private sector partners, NGOs, IOs) providing material, 
in-kind, technical and financial support towards TIP prevention. Key succ esses in FY 2019:  
• 249 partners (private sector partners, NGOs, IOs) providing material, in -kind, technical and 
financial support towards TIP prevention;  
• New online job seeking platform Bong Pheak for low skilled and unskilled workers. Thus far, 
780 Cambodi ans have secured employment through this platform;  
• 23,801 new and existing Information Education and Communication (IEC) materials on TIP 
disseminated;  
• Assisted 845 vulnerable  people to TIP.   
12.1.4   Rehabilitation and Prosthetics Programme for Persons with Disabi lities – 
Cambodia  
254.  Funded by USAID, the objectives of the programme are to ensure the quality of services and 
devices, and to build the capacity of three rehabilitation centres  for people with disabilities (PWDs). IP/C/W/656/Add.2  
 
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  It also intends to provide  equalization of opportunities, poverty reduction, and social inclusion of 
PWDs through community -based rehabilitation (CBR) activities. In 2018, 2,725 PWDs received 
services and 15 trainings occurred in order to build the capacity of staff delivering rehabilitation 
servic es. The total estimated cost for this programme is USD 1.9 million. Here are the key successes 
recorded in FY 2019:  
• 5,388 persons with disabilities (PWDs) received physical rehabilitation services from three 
physical rehabilitation centres  in Phnom Penh, Prey Veng and Kratie;  
• 712 PWDs supported through community -based rehabilitation activities (such as through small 
grants for income generation, self -help groups, skill training referral);  
• 2,049 assistive devices (prosthetics, orthotics, and wheelchairs) were produced and distributed 
to PWDs;  
• Eight Disabled People 's Organizations (DPOs) provided financial and technical su pport to 
strengthen their representation for PWDs in their community;  
• Three physical rehabilitation centres  (in Phnom Penh, Prey Veng, and Kratie) were successfully 
transferred to the Cambodian Government.  
12.1.5   Nyenyo City – Togo  
255.  The embassy 's decentralization hackathon in June 2018 led to the creation of a promising 
online platform to help local governments deliver good services. The implementation of the model 
will occur during the "Nyenyo City " project. It will take place over eight months in the district cal led 
Zio about 45 minutes from Lome. A group of young civil society activists and coders will work hand 
in hand with the local authorities of Zio to integrate the platform and put it into use. Evaluation of 
success  is if tracking of services provided improv es and if services themselves become more efficient. 
As of 2019, the platform has received wide support in the cities where it has been implemented and 
is still expanding.  
12.1.6   Workers ' Empowerment Programme (WEP) – Component 1 – Bangladesh  
256.  WEP will improve labour conditions in Bangladesh by strengthening the ability of independent 
worker organizations to represent their rights and interests both inside and outside the factory. The 
WEP has discrete components consisting of a USD 3.1 million total projected inves tment, it will 
support the formation of independent worker organizations in the ready -made garment industry and 
strengthen the capacity of such organizations to defend their rights and collectively negotiate with 
employers. WEP Component 1 will specifically work to improve worker representation in the 
workplace through establishing active worker organizations in targeted factories, increasing skills of 
factory workers to represent their rights and interests in their workplace, and improving  
understanding of constructive labour  relations. WEP component 1 will end successfully in September 
2019.  
13  PROGRAMME AND INCENT IVES RELATED TO TRAN SPORTATION  
257.  US agencies, including the Department of State and Department of Transportation (DOT), 
operate prog rammes such as Safe Skies for Africa. The Safe Skies for Africa Programme (SSFA) is 
based on the premise that "Safe Skies " are a prerequisite for African economic development through 
increased trade and investment. SSFA works to promote sustainable improve ments in aviation safety 
in Africa as a means of advancing economic development and increased investment for Africa. The 
overarching goal of the programme is to increase the number of African nations meeting 
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)  standards. Through the program, the DOT has 
directly trained African experts through the US Federal Aviation Administration, both in the 
United  States and in -country. These capacity -building efforts have resulted in thousands of 
personnel receiving state -of-the-art training to address airworthiness, operations, air navigation, 
aviation security (in partnership with the Transportation Security Administration), as well as accident 
investigation processes and procedures (in partnership with the US National Tr ansportation Safety 
Board). SSFA participants include several LDCs, including Angola, Cameroon, Mali, and Tanzania. 
SSFA's efforts have also included regional outreach through the EAC and the Banjul Accord Group - 
see https://www.ntsb.gov/news/events/Docum ents/Safe Skies for Africa.pdf .  IP/C/W/656/Add.2  
 
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  13.1  Connectivity Squared Project - Liberia  
258.  In July 2017, in support of the US global strategy for Ebola emergency response, USAID, 
Google, and the Government of Liberia launched the Google Project Link to bring best -in-class, 
reliable, and affordable broadband infrastructure to Liberia 's capital city of Monrovia. Through a 
USD 12 million co -investment of cash and in -kind support, this public -private partnership provides 
access to information and communications technology system s needed to prevent and detect future 
disease outbreaks before they start, to help Liberia transition from response to recovery and 
preparedness. The initiative serves to strengthen essential health, education and government 
systems through expansion of in ternet access across the capital, and could ultimately unlock the 
potential of the digital economy for Liberian citizens. Currently, only 5% of population has internet 
access. As of March 2019, the CSquared partnership has laid over 200 km of fibre infrast ructure in 
Monrovia. With an additional USD 8.2 million of support through USAID 's Digital Liberia and 
Electronic Governance Activity, internet connectivity has been brought to 51 government 
institutions, including two public hospitals.  
 
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