Remarks Given By Charge d’affaires Belinda Jackson Farrier
Shared Accord 2019 – Opening Ceremony
Wednesday, August 14, 2019
I am honored to join you today for the opening ceremony of Shared Accord 2019.
I would like to thank the Government of Rwanda and the Rwanda Defense Force for hosting this exercise and for your long-standing commitment to international cooperation in the name of shared security. Rwanda plays an essential role as one of the world’s top contributors of troops and police to UN Peacekeeping missions. Your commitment to promoting peace is a testament to your dedication to the principle that constructive peacekeeping can lead to a more stable, prosperous, and politically inclusive region. Thank you.
I would also like to thank the U.S. delegation for the months of hard work and planning you’ve put in to make this exercise happen.
Finally, I would like to extend a very warm welcome to the more than two dozen partner countries and international organizations participating in Shared Accord 2019. The success of this exercise will be a result of your presence here and the dedication your countries and organizations have given to regional collaboration.
Shared Accord brings together African nations, the United States, and other partners to increase military capacity and to enhance peacekeeping capabilities. Through open dialogue, scenario training, and extensive collaboration, Shared Accord provides a terrific opportunity for our teams to hone the many different skills needed to support regional peace, to enable the readiness of international partners for peace operations, and to improve interoperability of multinational security forces.
Events like Shared Accord have a positive global impact. They support the United Nations and the African Union as they carry out their mandates to support security in the region. This exercise will bring us closer to our common goal: a more peaceful and prosperous Africa and a more peaceful and prosperous world. The United States is fully committed to partner with Rwanda and the other countries present in pursuit of that goal.
Thank you again for your participation in Shared Accord 2019. I wish you a very rewarding experience.
