Young African Leaders Initiative Town Hall

Oh, I do cross-border African work right now. The President: Excellent. Audience Member: Yes, (inaudible) work. The President: Fantastic. Well, for those of you who aren't as familiar with it, the program we call AGOA is basically a trade agreement that allows probably 95 percent of products from Africa to enter the United States tariff-free and duty-free. And, as a consequence, it obviously gives African exports a greater advantage. And the general idea is that historically, if you look at the relationship between Africa and the rest of the global market, going back to colonial times, the idea was somehow that raw materials were shipped somewhere else, they were produced in somewhere or were refined elsewhere. ;

Sometimes they are sold to Africa, but the jobs, value and profits are elsewhere. And we move from those colonial times to the idea of ​​aid, which remains critically important. There are parts of Africa where, right now, people just need food, or right now people just need medicine, and it is the obligation of the richer nations to help deliver that food or those medicines. But wherever you go in Africa, what is very clear is that people want to get out of the dependency trap. The idea is not that Africa should somehow be under the tutelage of some other country.

What we need is an Africa that builds, manufactures, creates value, invents and then ships those products around the world and receives products in return on fair trade terms. And if we do, then there is no reason why Africa cannot succeed. So part of what I'm trying to highlight during this trip is the enormous opportunities for an Africa that is intimately integrated into the global market. I want small and medium businesses, entrepreneurs and startups here in Africa to see their potential not only in the local market, but to be able to sell goods and services around the world and bring those profits back to Africa and reinvest them in Africa and hiring Africans.

And as part of that, we want to make sure that the United States is a critical trading partner. And, by the way, we don't do it for charity. We do it because if Africa does well, we now have a market of people who want to buy more iPads and... (laughs)... Boeing airplanes and all the good things we sell, right? And Africa, by the way, is the

young

est continent, which means that, demographically, it will represent an increasing proportion of the world market. Specifically, in terms of AGOA, they are right: the current structure of AGOA expires in 2015. I am hopeful that they will renew it.

Now, what I mentioned to President Zuma today, and I said it at a press conference, is that we will have to enter into some negotiations to find ways to improve what we are currently doing, but also to reflect on the fact that South Africa is becoming more and more successful, and American companies... in order for me to pass it in the United States Congress, American companies have to feel that they are getting a level playing field in relation to, for example, some of the European companies that can operate here, because there is a free trade agreement between Europe and the United States.

But I am confident that, with good negotiations, we can achieve it. However, the broader point I want to make is that the future will be about creating value here in Africa and making sure that Southeast Asia, China and Turkey, and all these other places around the world that are all starting to see the benefits of global trade patterns. And Africa cannot simply be a source of raw materials for someone else. It has to be a source of the types of products, services and imagination that will be the future of the 21st century. Thank you. (applause) Ms.

Mabuse: We have a

young

woman in Kenya who has a question for you. Kenya, are you ready? Here we go. Kenyan Moderator: Thank you, South Africa. You are watching us, broadcast live from Nairobi here in the capital of Kenya. And, in fact, I am accompanied by eight young Kenyans who have come from five different counties in the country, very enthusiastic. I think I speak for all of them when I say that it is indeed an honor to be able to interact with you, Mr. President, directly during this program. And I will get right to the point and give one of the Kenyans who is here with me the opportunity to ask you a question, Mr.

President. Margaret (ph), now you have the floor. Audience Member: Thank you, Katherine (ph). Jambo, Barack Obama, President. We are honored to be with you live this afternoon from Nairobi, Kenya. Our question really is, given the recent shift in Kenya's trade ties eastward, how does this impact US foreign policy towards Kenya? And does the ICC indictment of our president and his deputy prevent the United States from engaging with Kenya both politically and economically? Furthermore, Mr. President, many young Kenyans would like to know what your thoughts and plans are on youth empowerment involving Kenya's governance structure. Thank you.

Kenyan Moderator: Now, Mr. President, as you prepare to answer that question, I am sure you are aware of the fact that there has been a lot of speculation in the Kenyan media and also on social media about your reasons. for not visiting Kenya on his second tour of Africa. Perhaps if you remember in an interview you had with this channel on June 1, 2010, you promised that during your term as President of the United States of America you would be touring Kenya. Well, will you still keep your word on the matter? (laughter and applause) The President: Well, Asante Sana.

It's wonderful to see you all. (laughter) First of all, let me tell you that I will be president for another three and a half years. (laughter and applause) One of the things you learn as president is that people not only want you to keep your promises, but they want you to keep your promises from yesterday. (laughs) And part of the reason I couldn't visit Kenya this time is that I've been to Kenya several times and there hadn't been a sustained visit on my part to West Africa; and then South Africa, given the importance of the work we are doing together;

Tanzania is a country I had not visited before. So I was trying to spread the wealth a little bit in terms of my visit. But what is also true, I do not deny it, is that Kenya has just held elections. I was very proud to see the moderation with which the elections were carried out. We did not see a repeat of the violence that we saw in the last election. But with a new administration that also has to manage some of the international affairs related to the ICC, I didn't think it was the optimal time to visit.

But like I said, I'm going to... I'm three and a half years old. So if in three years and seven months I am not in Kenya, then you can blame me for not keeping my promise. (laughter) You raise the question of whether our attitudes towards Kenya changed because of Kenya's orientation towards trade with the East. And this was asked of me before; is a general question I receive during this visit; People say, well, China is here a lot and this is what motivates the United States to want to get more involved. And I want to make two observations.

First and foremost, our commitment to Africa is based on our belief in the promise and future of Africa, and we want to be part of that future. Secondly, I think everyone should get involved in Africa. (applause) I want China and I want India and I want Brazil and I want Singapore... everyone, come... (laughter)... to Africa because 6 of the 10 fastest growing economies in the world are here in Africa. There is a shift being seen within Africa where commitment to democracy and transparency is beginning to take hold. I have just visited Senegal, where President Sall has embarked on a reform agenda that includes, incidentally, shortening his term from seven to five years, and the belief that, for example, members who join the government must disclose their assets. - only basic measures that can help eradicate corruption.

So when you start to see these changes, everyone should be excited to want to do business here in Africa and with Kenya. Now, what I said today during a press conference, I want to repeat: I want to make sure that when countries come to Africa, it benefits Africans. So if someone is building a road here in Africa, make sure they hire some Africans. (Applause) If raw materials are going to be manufactured, locate some of those plants here in Africa. So I want to make sure that whoever you're dealing with, and as you get into government and business, whoever you're dealing with, you're getting a good deal that benefits the people here and can help drive broad-based development. .

And hopefully that's the kind of relationship that they can develop with the United States of America. And that is the kind of relationship I want Kenya to have with every country on Earth. We are in a global economy with a global supply chain, and I don't want Africa to continually be at the end of the supply chain. The raw materials are produced, they are sold cheap and then, along the chain, someone else makes money and creates jobs and value. So part of the c

hall

enge for your generation will be to make sure that, first of all, you have a transparent, accountable, non-corrupt, open government, because economic development will not happen without that kind of certainty.

That's what companies want. They don't want to have to pay a bribe just to install phone lines in their businesses. They don't want to have to hire someone's cousin just to open a business. And we have to be honest about it. In many countries this is still the case and this discourages investment. And then as you rise to positions of power, I want to make sure that you're negotiating a good deal with these other countries. Now you have to be realistic. It has to be based on the assets you bring to the table. And initially, at least in some countries and in some regions in some parts of Africa, what you are looking for is a certain type of manufacturing or a certain type of industry that may not be very capital intensive, for example, because there may not be as much capital to invest initially.

So, you can start on a smaller scale, but I think to continually update and improve Africa's prospects is going to require those kinds of hard, stubborn negotiations. But I want all the countries to be here. The last point about Kenya, I have already made it for all countries, yes, I want young people to participate in holding their governments accountable. Now, here in Africa there is a lot of variety in terms of the quality of governance. And I don't want to reinforce to the American press that there is this attitude here that Africa is just a big piece of land on the map. (applause) There is a lot of variation.

Some countries are doing a great job when it comes to accountability and democracy, and an act of civil society, freedom of the press and freedom of assembly. And some countries are not doing so well. But what's exciting right now is that we're starting to see more and more of a norm, a standard, taking root in Africa. And I think young people, especially, have high expectations about how government should work, and it should work for the public good, not for the benefit of a few. And people should be able to speak their minds and should be able to organize without fear of retaliation.

And they should be able to vote without problems. And I think South Africa has been a great model. This is one of Nelson Mandela's greatest legacies: to demonstrate that through commitment to the constitution and the rule of law, and to equal treatment for all people, a country can prosper despite a tragic history. And the same should be true in Kenya, which is why he encouraged me that the last election process at least did not result in chaos. And that should be true for all countries. And President Zuma said something important today at the press conference and I'm going to see what we can do to work with them.

I think the African Union is trying to create some kind of peer review system so that it's not just the United States that comes and lectures some African country that doesn't observe democracy; It is his African colleagues who say: what are you doing? Why are you repressing your people? Why are political dissidents imprisoned? Why do they block people's ability to organize new political parties? And when peers organize themselves in that way, slowly the standards are raised and new norms are established, and all of you can be at the forefront of that. Thank you, Kenya. (applause) Ms.

Mabuse: We will stay in East Africa and answer a question from Kampala, Uganda. The President: Fantastic. Ugandan Moderator: Hello from Kampala in Uganda, "the pearl of Africa" ​​as we are known. I am Nancy Kacungira, NTV Uganda News Anchor. And Uganda is a very young nation: more than half of our population is under 15 years old. Today I am here with a group of vibrant and dynamic young people. And as you can see, they are very excited to turn to President Obama today and ask him a question. Now, I have had the opportunity to interact with the young people here today, and they are all great young

leaders

in their own right.

And everyoneThey have different backgrounds and different experiences, but I have discovered that one of the things they do have in common is their passion: their passion for a better Uganda and for a better Africa. Mr. President, one of them is now going to ask you a question on behalf of the rest of the group. Audience Member: Hello, Mr. President. It is an honor. My name is Eirene Ikomon (ph). My question comes on behalf of everyone sitting here with me. Unfortunately, it also affects commerce. Mr. President, as young Ugandan

leaders

, we look to the world for equal business partners and commitments, and it does not necessarily help.

We are not looking for donors. And yet, Mr. President, the policy you just described seems to emphasize the aid that comes from the United States, but it emphasizes the supply of jobs and jobs within the countries to which they arrive. As young leaders, Mr. President, we want to do business at home and own our own markets. So how do you, Mr. President, plan to help us reaffirm American policy to achieve this vision? (Applause) The President: Well, with respect to American policy, I think you mischaracterize it, because our policy is to achieve success here in Africa. Now, there is no doubt that American companies also want to sell in Africa, because as President of the United States, I want to create some jobs in Africa as well.

But my attitude is that the more successful African businessmen are, the more they will buy and the more interested they will be in buying American products. And conversely, when the US economy is doing well, then we will buy more from Africa and everyone's standard of living can improve. But as you heard me say before, I completely agree with you that we want more investment and value creation here in Africa. Now, one thing we haven't talked about, which I think is critical, is intra-African trade. Too often, it is easier to export, say, tea and coffee from East Africa or flowers from East Africa to Europe than to export them elsewhere in Africa.

And part of that is the legacy of colonialism, an orientation away from Africa rather than into Africa. Part of this is the lack of basic infrastructure: port facilities, trains, railways and roads. So one of the things we're going to be very interested in is working with the African Union, as well as various regional organizations, to find ways to start linking markets within Africa, because particularly for startups, if you're starting a business here in South Africa, then the best opportunity you will initially have to export might be closer to home, in one of the neighboring countries. If in Uganda... if you have a business that you want to start and at first you have made your product popular within Uganda, the next step before thinking about selling to the United States, you could say to yourself, let me start selling some in Kenya, or let me start selling in Tanzania or Rwanda.

So part of what we have to do is find additional ways that Africans can also trade with each other. The last point I will make, because it is related to trade and capacity building, I just arrived, as I said, from Senegal. And one of the things we introduced was our Feed the Future program and a Food Security Alliance that we're creating here in Africa. And we've already gotten nine countries to join, and Senegal has just determined that it will join as well. But we have already helped 7 million smallholder farmers in Africa pool their resources, access lower credit, and link together as a group of producers so they can market and sell more effectively.

And we've seen those farmers increase their yields and their sales by 10, 20, 30, in some cases, 50 or 100 percent. I met with a young farmer who had started with one hectare and now she has 16. She has managed to grow enough to buy a tractor. She has hired eight people. Now, that's not what we normally think of as business or entrepreneurship, but if you think about the number of Africans who are involved in agriculture and it gives them the tools to suddenly get better prices for their crops, they have access. to a market, they are now getting enough credit to be able to mechanize their operations, and now suddenly they can hire some people in the surrounding villages, suddenly they have seen a small business grow.

And the next step may be to start processing the food a little. And the next thing you know, suddenly they're supplying these processed foods to a school. And the next thing you know, they're supplying those processed foods to the entire country. So not every business is going to be an internet business, an app... (laughs). I mean, I know that's what young people are all about. I'm just going to create an app, I'm the next Facebook. That's fantastic, and I hope some of you do, but when we think about the development of Africa as a whole, especially if we think about broad-based development, then part of what we have to recognize is that a large number of people within Africa are still in the agricultural sector, and the work that we are doing is trying to build capacity for those small farmers who are essentially small business owners to be successful, because if they have more money in their pockets, they can now afford to buy your app.

Thank you very much for the question, Uganda. I appreciate it. (applause) Ms. Mabuse: Mr. President, we will now move to West Africa and answer a question from Lagos, Nigeria. Nigerian Moderator: Well, welcome, Mr. President, to Lagos, Nigeria, home to perhaps the largest youth population in Africa. I am Maupe Ogun from Television Channels here. And here with me in the studio is a selection of some of Nigeria's best and brightest, and I must tell you, Mr. President, they are mostly women, so you better be careful with them. (laughs) And they say that they are underway and that they have their question ready.

Now to Aisha (ph). Audience Member: Good afternoon, Mr. President. My name is Aisha Myna (ph) and I represent seven other people here. Recognizing our c

hall

enges and our responsibility as young Nigerian leaders to embrace our challenges and make a difference, we would like to thank you for your support of Nigeria and Africa as a whole. Nigeria's most important resource is our human capital and we would like to ask a double question. The first is: how can the United States deepen its investment in the deployment of technology that will develop our vast human capital as well as the education of its youth?

My second question - it's twofold, sorry, Mr. President - considering how long the war on terrorism has been going on, would you say that we are winning the war on terrorism, seeing that new terrorist groups are developing? in Africa, one of which is in Nigeria? Thank you. The President: Well, both are great questions. Thank you. (applause) And before I answer the question, I just want to make it clear: I'm surrounded by stubborn women in my house all day... (laughs)... so I'm well practiced in dealing with strong women. You guys don't know Michelle, but you've probably seen her on TV.

She is not timid. (laughs) And Malia and Sasha, they're just following her. So every night at dinner I'm surrounded. In terms of human capital and youth, I think there is no doubt that the most important investment that any country can make - not just an African country - is to educate its youth and give them the skills they need to compete. In a highly technologically advanced global economy, countries that do not do as well will not succeed. Countries that excel in training their young people will be successful, because today companies can go anywhere. And one of the key criteria for any company is: where can I find outstanding workers?

Where can I find top people to manage a plant or manage my sales force? And if you have countries with high illiteracy rates or limited skills, you will have problems. And I want to be clear that this is a problem in the United States, not just a problem in Africa. One of the main things I spend a lot of time doing is trying to lobby Congress to improve our early childhood education, because it turns out that children are most susceptible to learning between the ages of zero and three. And so working with parents, especially mothers, around reading to their children, proper nutrition, and stimulating activities.

Then when they get to school, make sure that our schools are prepared and redesigned for today, because many of the schools in the United States were first created during the agricultural era and are not always appropriate for what is required today. And then we move on to what we call community colleges, which are two-year colleges or four-year colleges and universities. Someone should have told my helicopter to calm down while I speak. (laughter) So overall, we have to rethink education and training of the workforce. And one of the things we want to do is partner with a country like Nigeria and identify ways in which we can provide direct added value, whether it's helping to train teachers or helping to incorporate technologies into the educational process.

So, for example, one of the things you hear across the continent is that because many Africans still live in rural areas, it can be difficult for them to access education and schooling once they pass a certain level. Well, are there ways that we can integrate, essentially, a university into a rural community? And suddenly, you have the teacher right there, without the same costs or obligations that a young person assumes when he travels far from home to study. So I think there are some great ideas that we sometimes implement country by country, depending on the country. But this is an area where I would love to get more input from young people in terms of what they think would work.

And so part of the Young African Leaders Initiative may be to get additional insights from those, particularly those who may be working in education and getting a sense of what the barriers are right now for young people to be successful. Now, regarding the so-called war on terrorism, there is no doubt that we have made some progress in dealing with some extremist groups, for example, the core of Al Qaeda and Bin Laden, who were based in the FATA area between Pakistan and Pakistan. and Afghanistan - which have been greatly diminished. But what is also true is that, in a way, the problem has metastasized.

There are more regional terrorist organizations, such as Boko Haram in Nigeria, that espouse an extremist ideology and show no respect for human life. And while they may not have the same transnational capacity as some of the organizations above, they are doing great damage in Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia. People always talk about the terrorist threat to the United States or the West, but the truth is that the number of people who die in terrorist attacks in African countries, or in Muslim countries, or in South Asia, is much higher. surpasses any death experienced by Westerners.

Typically, the people who are where these organizations are based are the ones most likely to be killed. When the Kenyan embassy bombing occurred, the overwhelming majority of people who died were Kenyans, not Americans. So this is not just a problem for us. This is a problem for everyone. Now the question is how do we address this problem? I firmly believe that terrorism is more likely to arise and take root where countries are not meeting their needs and where there are underlying sources of conflict and frustrations that have not been adequately addressed. The danger we have now, for example, in a place like Somalia, is that it has been two generations, maybe three, since there has been a functioning government within Somalia.

We have now started to see some progress, in part because of the intervention of African nations in Somalia to clear the space, to create the space for governance. But if you look at what is happening in Mali, for example, right now. Part of the problem is that there was a weak central government and democratic institutions that did not reach the country as far as they needed to, and we have to build those institutions. A lot of what we talk about in terms of responsiveness, governance and democracy, those things become defense mechanisms against terrorism. They are the most important defense against terrorism.

So I don't start with the attitude of a military solution to these problems. I think the more opportunities we give people, the more education we give them, the more we help resolve conflicts through regular democratic processes, the less likely they are to take root. Now, having said that, there are some extremist groups that will not reach agreements even through a democratic process, and we also have to be realistic about that. And what we want to do is partner with African countries to figure out how we can help. But I promise that this notion that somehow we wantexpand our military reach: I was chosen to end a war.

I have finished one. Now I'm in the process of finishing another one. Every few weeks, I go visit soldiers your age who had their legs blown off in Afghanistan, or worse. Every week I write letters to the families of fallen soldiers. Sometimes I go to Arlington National Cemetery, where our heroes are buried, hug those families and feel their sobs on my shoulder. This idea that we want to become more militarily involved around the world is simply not true. First of all, it costs a lot of money and the United States, like all countries in the world, has to think about its budget.

And where we intervene it's often not very effective because unless you have a local population that opposes terrorism, we end up being seen as interlopers and interlopers. So in the context of Africa, what we want to do is build African capacity. We want the African Union and other regional organizations to develop the capacity to send peacekeepers, so that we can eliminate terrorist cells that may be forming before they start and gain strength. And we can provide advice and training and, in some cases, equipment, but we would love nothing more for Africa, collectively, to say no to extremism, to say no to terrorism, to say no to sectarianism, which in the case of Boko Haram, for example, is an example of an essentially religious logic for this type of violence, and that the United States can step back and worry about selling iPads and airplanes.

That's what we would like to do. But what we will not do is stand by if our embassy is under attack or if our people are in vulnerable situations. And we hope that countries will work with us to try to address some of these threats. And this is a global problem; It's not just one related to the United States. Well. Alright. (applause) Ms Mabuse: We have time to answer one last question from Soweto. The President: If it is a really short period question, I will give a short answer and two of us will enter. (laughs) Gentleman, yes, go ahead.

Everyone has... you have to describe why everyone wears orange. (laughs) Audience Member: Okay. First of all, my name is Han Dinkelman (ph). I am nervous. (laughter and applause) I am a student at UJ. I am an honor student; He also studied education. You said people in education should stand up. (laughs) My education is... oh, my question is that we have a lot of barriers in this country, and one of those barriers is the number of students in our classes versus just one person. And what I find difficult is, how can that person get up and control, in some cases (we just got back from training), in some cases, 90 to 100 kids in a class?

It's hard enough to be 40 in my class. How can you take those 90 (I find it very difficult) and try to make an impact on their lives? The President: Good. I think it's a great question. First of all, I think it's wonderful that you are dedicated to education. Very proud of you. (applause) No job is more important than educating our young people. This is a challenge we also have in the United States, and it is the issue of class sizes. Now, our problem typically is that our class sizes are around 35 or 33, and we'd like to see if we can get it down to the twenties.

If you're talking about 90... (laughs), that's another level. Now, I guess we are talking about primary and secondary education, we are not talking about universities, because when you get to university you better focus on your studies. It's not the teacher's job to force you to do your work and pay attention, because you are an adult now. But when it comes to young people, studies show that, particularly for poorer children, the more personalized attention they can receive from their teachers, the more personalized instruction they can receive, the better they will do. So the first answer is, if you can budget... if a government can budget for smaller classes, that's better.

But not all countries will have the resources to do so. And one of the things we're starting to see in the United States is how you can effectively use, for example, teaching assistants in a class, who may not be fully certified teachers but who can break up, let's say, a class. of 90 people in smaller groups. This is also where technology can also make a difference, because it is conceivable that if you have some type of technology (a couple of laptops) you can leverage one teacher to do multiple instruction. However, the question you raise makes me want to suggest to my team that when we get out of here, let's start taking some of the best practices and some of the things that we're learning in the United States and see if they might have some application.

We can, maybe we can start some pilot programs here in South Africa to see if we can make an impact there. (applause) Good. Alright. Last question? One more. Alright. All of these people have been so patient in the past that I don't want them to feel abandoned. So, this gentleman here, because he seems very anxious. Right here. Yes, yes, you are there. (laughs) Go ahead. But you can, feel free to stay together if you want, but (laughs). I'm just going to take a question from one of you. (laughs) What's your name? Audience member: My name is Sydney Mukumu (ph).

I'm from Limpopo. (applause) Thank you. President Obama, I met you in 2006. I was working for the embassy. The President: Excellent. Audience Member: Yes. I am very concerned about some international issues of the United States; I am referring to foreign policy, especially in matters of the environment. President Obama, today I want you to speak to these young leaders about United States foreign policy on the environment. The President: About the environment? Audience member: Yes, because South Africa faces the same problem. Whatever is happening in America, it is affecting us. Please tell these... these are your children... tell us today... (laughter)...

The President: Yes. Audience member: -- just like the people protesting outside, there are people who is crying, and now must address them here -- The President: Okay, let's go. Audience member: -- and tell them outside what's happening. Make it clear and when you return you will have a safe trip. Thank you very much, president. (Applause) The President: I'm ready. I'm ready. I'm ready. I'm ready. (laughs) I'll see if I can make it clear. American environmental policy is something I care deeply about. As some of you know, I grew up in Hawaii, one of the most beautiful places on Earth.

And as a child, I was taught to value what the Earth gives us and to make sure we leave it for the next generation. And obviously, in a country like South Africa, with incredible beauty and natural resources, I think that same mentality about conserving the Earth and caring for it to pass it on to future generations applies here as much as it does in the United States. The biggest environmental challenge we have – and it is an international challenge that we cannot solve alone – is the issue of climate change. There are other problems: dirty water, dirty air.

But the truth is that we have made enormous progress in recent years, in recent decades in the United States. And if you come to the United States, the environmental quality is quite good. And internationally, we have promoted policies on how mercury is released into the environment and how other poisons are released into the environment, and how companies must meet international standards in terms of worker safety. Those are areas where the United States has been at the forefront. We have been at the front of the line, not the back of the line, when it comes to those issues.

But the existential challenge we face has to do with global warming. And their generation is the one that will be most severely affected. Now, the United States and other highly industrialized developed countries for the last 50 or 100 years have been increasing carbon emissions into the atmosphere. And little by little, this has been building up and is warming the planet, and we may be reaching a tipping point where, if we don't fix this problem soon, it will get out of control and change weather patterns in ways that we can. Do not anticipate, with much more serious droughts, floods and natural disasters.

And unfortunately, in those situations it is often the poorest countries that are most affected by these changing weather patterns. So I just gave a speech last week about what the United States is going to do in our next phase of reducing our carbon emissions. In fact, the United States reduced our carbon emissions more than any other country since I took office. I just want to make that point clear. (applause) We doubled fuel efficiency standards for automobiles. We are investing in clean energies such as solar and wind. And we really want to share that technology because we believe that all countries should benefit.

And part of the opportunity for Africa is to see if we can skip some of the polluting practices of the United States or Europe and go directly to clean energy strategies that allow it to advance economic growth, but not corrupt the planet. So we've made progress, but we haven't done enough. And what I did was say that I challenge the United States. I said we have to do more. We are going to start regulating our power plants more efficiently. We will ensure that we redouble our efforts to reduce our carbon emissions and will aim to deliver on the agreements we had in both Copenhagen and Durban for advanced countries that have a large carbon footprint.

But let me make one last point: America cannot do it alone. And the biggest carbon emitter right now is China. They still have a much smaller carbon footprint per person than the United States, but because they have so many people, it is increasing rapidly. And Chinese leaders understand this. The same thing that sends all the carbon into the atmosphere also makes it harder to breathe in Beijing. Then they recognize that they have to devise a new development model. India will have to come up with new development models: Africa. We're all going to have to work together to find ways in which we collectively reduce carbon emissions, but make sure that there is some differentiation so that countries that are very rich are expected to do more, and countries that are still are developing, obviously.

We should not resign ourselves to poverty simply because the West, Europe and the United States got there first. That wouldn't be fair. But everyone will have to do something. Everyone will have to make some important decisions here. And I hope it's your generation that helps lead this, because if we don't, it's your generation that will suffer the most. Ultimately, if you think about all the youth that everyone has mentioned here in Africa, if everyone is raising the standard of living to the point that everyone has a car and everyone has air conditioning and everything The world has a big house, well, the planet will overflow, unless we find new ways to produce energy.

And tomorrow, or the next day, when I visit Tanzania, I will go to a power plant to focus on the need for electrification, but the need to do it in an environmentally sound way. Let me finish by saying that this has been an incredible conversation. I had a lot of faith in all of you before coming here; Now I have even more faith in you. You are all going to do great things. I'll be retired when you make them, so I'll just sit back and watch (laughs) and be proud of you. But what I promise you is that the United States government and the American people will want to be your partners throughout your career.

And I hope that all of you will, again, apply to participate in the Young African Leaders Initiative. We want to hear from you how we can work even more effectively with this great continent, because we see a bright future ahead. I hope you enjoyed. Thank you all. God bless you. Thank you. (applause)