Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review 2015: Enduring Leadership in a Dynamic World

Undertaken by the Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the 2015 Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review (QDDR) process reflects our commitment to review our work and profession, innovate constantly, and adapt to new challenges in a rapidly changing world. It is the product of more than a year of extensive internal and external consultations with all stakeholders, including members of Congress and their staffs, our allies around the world, advocates in the NGO community, and opinion leaders at think tanks and universities.

Secretary Kerry directed that this review focus on priority reforms that are crucial to enhancing the effectiveness, agility, and innovative spirit of U.S. diplomacy and development – and American leadership – in a time of dynamic challenges and great opportunities. Pursuing these priorities and reforms will ensure that American diplomatic and development efforts are better able to advance U.S. interests and priorities as articulated in the 2015 National Security Strategy. Toward that end, it builds on the foundation of the first QDDR, completed in 2010, which provided a comprehensive review of our diplomatic and development capabilities, advanced the role of rigorous strategic planning in all elements of civilian power, and emphasized a whole-of-government approach to foreign policy.

The 2010 QDDR elevated development as an equal pillar of American foreign policy and affirmed the role of USAID as the government’s lead development agency. As part of a broad agenda, it also emphasized the role of economic development, made civilian security a focus for the State Department, and reiterated the central importance to all our efforts of engaging and advancing women and girls. We are making significant additional improvements consistent with the emphasis in the 2010 QDDR on energy diplomacy, cyber policy, counterterrorism, and economic statecraft. With a limited set of priority reforms, the 2015 QDDR builds on the progress achieved through the inaugural review and its ongoing implementation [See Appendix: 2010 QDDR Overview and Update].

The 2015 QDDR reviews the steps we have taken and previews where we need to go to place America in the strongest possible position to face the challenges and seize the opportunities of tomorrow.