Assistant Secretary Dr. Kerri-Ann Jones Visits Rome

Assistant Secretary Dr. Kerri-Ann Jones

Assistant Secretary Dr. Kerri-Ann Jones interviewed by the U.S. Embassy Science Counselor Erik Hall

Rome, September 14-16, 2011

Dr. Jones is the Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs in the U.S. Department of State.  She was in Rome on September 14-16 to participate in the “Towards A Safer World” conference convened by the UN System Avian and Pandemic Influenza Coordinator and co-sponsored by the World Food Program and the U.S. Agency for International Development.  During her visit she met with Italian officials to discuss science and technology cooperation.

Dr. Jones expressed appreciation for the strong tradition of partnership between Italy and the United States in a broad range of science and technology collaboration. 

She highlighted cooperation in space science and exploration between NASA and the Italian Space Agency; on climate change research; in health research; and in a range of other scientific disciplines.  Dr. Jones described the Obama Administration’s commitment to investment in scientific research and international cooperation to address serious global challenges including climate change. 

Even in these difficult economic times, President Obama has made it clear that investments in research and development will be a high priority for his Administration.