U.S. Department of State

Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review

In July 2009, Secretary Clinton announced the Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review (QDDR). The QDDR will provide the short-, medium-, and long-term blueprint for U.S. diplomatic and development efforts. The goal is to use this process to guide the United States to agile, responsive, and effective institutions of diplomacy and development, including how to transition from approaches no longer commensurate with current challenges; leveraging the full range of American policy tools and resources; measurably impacting global progress in security, prosperity, and wellbeing; preventing and responding to crises and conflict; and providing strong, flexible management platforms to support institutional objectives. The QDDR will, among other things, offer guidance on how State and USAID should update methodologies; deploy staff; add new tools and hone old ones; and exercise new or restored authorities. At base, it will begin to align policy, strategy, capabilities, authorities, and resources—human and financial—to ensure effective execution of solutions to national security priorities.

The first phase of a deliberative process was completed soon after the end of FY 2009. This phase further identified and refined the capabilities State and USAID require to carry out our missions more effectively. In FY 2010 State and USAID will complete discussions in Washington and the field about how they can address the identified institutional gaps and areas where we lack necessary capabilities. For more information visit the QDDR website.