Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs Maria Otero will lead the U.S. interagency delegation to the International Tiger Conservation Forum in St. Petersburg, Russia, November 21-24. During her visit, Under Secretary Otero will also hold separate meetings with civil society groups and Russian Government officials.

At the Forum, Under Secretary Otero will emphasize the U.S. Government’s commitment to saving the tiger and meeting the goal of doubling the number of tigers in the wild by 2022, the next Lunar Year of the Tiger. The United States has funded many tiger conservation and habitat protection programs and is eager to work with range states. Over the past 14 years Congress has helped to provide over $11 million in grants for tigers, including almost $2 million in 2010. Through bilateral assistance, the United States Agency for International Development has provided over $10 million for conservation work throughout Asia in 2010, much of which helps to protect key tiger landscapes.