; Whereas many victims of exploitation and trafficking are people from vulnerable populations, and some of the poorest regions in the world, which suggests that least developed areas are the most prone to violence; Whereas supporting the Sustainable Development Goals will significantly reduce violence in developing countries so peaceful and empowered populations can then begin to create and reinforce just, inclusive, and accountable institutions; Whereas sustained United States leadership in supporting the Sustainable Development Goals will ensure that we can leverage our resources and expertise with the private sector, governments, faith-based organizations, and nonprofits to build a better and safer world for generations to come; Whereas the expanded Sustainable Development Goals represent a new understanding of what effective sustainable development looks like; Whereas the Sustainable Development Goals now include key economic drivers of poverty alleviation and go beyond foreign assistance to focus on trade and investment from the private sector to better account for their important contributions in development, health, and economic and social opportunity; and Whereas support for the Sustainable Development Goals will continue to be counted through direct multilateral development assistance, domestic spending, grants, subsidies, loans, public-private partnerships, and other financial instruments such as guarantees and direct investment instruments: Now, therefore, be it