Obama tells UN conference US is ‘changing the way we do business’ on global development

Obama announces new US approach on development

UNITED NATIONS — Addressing a global conference on poverty, President Barack Obama said Wednesday that the United States is changing its approach to development and will use diplomacy, trade, investment and other policies to help poorer countries instead of just giving them money.

“Put simply, the United States is changing the way we do business,” Obama said as he announced the administration’s new development policy in a speech at the outset of a three-day visit to the United Nations.

Obama said helping poorer countries prosper is good for the U.S. It’s the right thing to do, he said, adding that the United States also needs capable partners to deal with global problems as they arise. It also needs growing foreign economies for its exports.

For too long, Obama said, U.S. policy has been defined by the amount of money spent and food and medicines delivered.

“But aid alone is not development,” he said. “Development is helping nations to actually develop, moving from poverty to prosperity. And we need more than just aid to unleash that change.”

Obama said the U.S. also is changing its view of the ultimate goal of development. He said that some U.S. aid has saved lives in the short term — such as food aid for millions of starving people around the world — but that it hasn’t always improved those societies over the long term.

“That’s dependence, and it’s a cycle we need to break,” Obama said.

But he stressed that the U.S. will continue leading the world as a provider of emergency assistance.

“We will not abandon those who depend on us for lifesaving help,” he said. “We keep our promises and honor our commitments.”

The new strategy, which administration officials said was the product of a nearly yearlong effort, also includes anti-corruption measures and calls for accountability from the U.S. and the countries it partners with.

Obama pledged to work with Congress to match U.S. investments to administration priorities and he called on donor countries to honor their commitments. But his strongest plea was for developing countries, urging them to share some of the responsibility.

“We want you to prosper and succeed. It’s in your interest and it’s in our interest,” Obama said. “We want to help you realize your aspirations. But there is no substitute for your leadership.”