Monday, December 9, 2024 10:00 a.m. — 3:00 p.m.
Senior U.S. government officials, members of Congress, foreign leaders, business executives, and other changemakers gathered at the Willard Intercontinental Hotel on December 9 for DFC’s 5th Anniversary Conference. The event served as a celebration of how the young agency has earned a place at the forefront of U.S. national security and foreign development since its formation under the 2019 U.S. BUILD Act, and becoming, as DFC CEO Scott Nathan said in his opening remarks, “a major player in the global development finance landscape.”
DFC’s portfolio as of the end of 2024 is nearly $50 billion, more than doubling since 2020. It has active investments in 114 countries, committing more than $12 billion in new transactions in 2024 alone.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken, USAID Administrator Samantha Power, and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan were among those who delivered remarks.
The conference covered myriad elements of U.S. and international development policy, including discussions with leading finance executives from public and private sectors about investment trends and opportunities across emerging markets; panels on critical minerals, infrastructure, clean energy, global health, food security, and other key sectors; bipartisan reflections on the impact of the BUILD Act and the future of U.S. engagement in international development finance.
The full agenda and participant list is available here.
Read this overview of the agency:
Read our recap of the event:
And see the individual keynote addresses, roundtables, and panel discussions here:
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Keynote Address: DFC’s Role in Advancing U.S. Global Leadership
Ambassadors’ Roundtable: The Impact of DFC Partnerships
This panel facilitated a discussion with foreign ambassadors to Washington to explore the impact of DFC’s work in their countries.
Panel: Securing the Supply Chains of the Future
This panel delved into how strategic investments in critical minerals and clean energy supply chains, and use of innovative financial tools, can secure a sustainable and prosperous future while advancing U.S. interests and development impact globally.
Spotlight: The Transformative Power of Debt Conversions
This session showcased the mechanics and outcomes of debt conversions emphasizing how they can serve as a tool for both debt restructuring and funding environmental and social projects.
Panel: Investing in Global Health
This panel discussion highlighted DFC’s role in bolstering global health security by showcasing its investments in global health and collaboration with development finance and global health partners.
Discussion: The Making of a Deal with DFC Transaction Teams
DFC staff shone a light on the behind-the-scenes process of reviewing potential transactions, conducting due diligence, and shaping projects to make an impact on the ground.
Video Addresses from Former CEOs
Keynote Address
Addressing the Infrastructure Gap
This panel explored the critical role of sustainable infrastructure in supporting economic growth, enhancing quality of life, and ensuring environmental resilience.
The BUILD Act: Then and Now
Current and former members of Congress discussed the inception, passage, and ongoing influence of the BUILD Act — reflecting on bipartisan efforts to consolidate, modernize, and strengthen the United States’ development finance capabilities. The dialogue focused on the anticipated versus actual outcomes, the evolution of DFC’s role in advancing foreign policy and fostering global development, and the vision for the future of U.S. engagement in international development finance.
Keynote Address: Driving Global Prosperity Through Economic Growth
Closing Remarks
