Melanne Verveer, Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues, will travel to The Hague, Netherlands September 5-8 to deliver the keynote address at the September 7 high level conference entitled: “Empowering Women in Afghanistan: Stability through Rural Development.” Organized by the U.S. Embassy in The Hague and The Atlantic Commission, the conference aims to highlight the need for greater European support for Afghan women and girls through economic development. While in the Netherlands, Ambassador Verveer will also meet with government leaders, gender specialists, and peace and security experts to strengthen U.S.-Dutch cooperation on women’s political, economic, and social advancement globally. In addition, she will conduct outreach with civil society representatives, journalists, and non-governmental organizations to promote dialogue and collaboration on women’s issues.