USAID operates 15 bilateral missions in Asia: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Burma, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Kyrgyz Republic, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Timor-Leste, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam. USAID also operates three regional missions in Asia: the Regional Development Mission for Asia in Thailand, which manages regional programming, including USAID’s work with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN; the Pacific Islands Mission based in Fiji, which covers 9 countries in the Pacific; and the Central Asia Regional office based in Kazakhstan, which oversees development programs in Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and across the Central Asian region. USAID also has Country Representative offices in Laos and Papua New Guinea (covers Solomon Islands and Vanuatu). USAID also works in other limited-presence countries including but not limited to Bhutan, Mongolia, Maldives, and with Tibetan communities.
In Washington, D.C., the Bureau for Asia has the following offices that support the missions:
- The Office of the Assistant Administrator (AA/ASIA) directs and supervises the activities of the Bureau and its overseas Operating Units (OUs). AA/ASIA formulates, approves, and authorizes U.S. development-assistance programs and projects; presents the Bureau for Asia’s program and budget to Congress; and approves and directs the allocation of resources among the Bureau's Offices and Missions. AA/ASIA provides senior-level leadership, advice, and guidance on all matters related to the Asia region.
- The Office of Technical Services (ASIA/TS) is the Asia Bureau’s technical thought-leader, providing creative and innovative solutions that respond to U.S. Government foreign policy and development priorities, emerging challenges, and opportunities across Asia. ASIA/TS’ five divisions provide analytical support and technical guidance to ASIA leadership, Missions, and as well as the interagency in key areas and sectors, including climate change and natural resource management, agriculture and food security, education, global health security, democracy and governance, human rights, economic growth, energy, and infrastructure in shaping policies, developing strategies and implementation. ASIA/TS is the primary interface within ASIA with pillar bureaus; ASIA/TS provides technical direction on the Bureau’s interactions with the interagency and the National Security Council, Missions, as well as other donor partners, and informs Congressional testimony and inquiries. Additionally, TS ensures compliance and alignment with USG laws and regulations, including environmental safeguards, as well as host government laws and regulations applicable to USAID actions and programs.
- The Office of Strategic Planning and Operations (ASIA/SPO) is the Bureau’s principal interlocutor for foreign assistance policy, strategic planning, and priorities; gender and inclusive development; budget formulation and execution; outreach, communications, and legislative affairs; monitoring, evaluation, and learning; audits, risk management, and partner vetting; and support across the program cycle. ASIA/SPO coordinates with the Department of State regional bureaus, State’s Office of the Assistance Coordinator to Europe and Eurasia (EUR/ACE), the Office of U.S. Foreign Assistance (State/F). ASIA/SPO provides guidance and assistance on policy, strategy, program management, communications and budget to USAID overseas Operating Units in Asia.
- The Office of Administrative Management Services (ASIA/AMS) provides support on organizational structure, administrative processes, and resources. ASIA/AMS handles Bureau and Mission management activities, such as personnel assignments, workforce analytics, and organizational supervision. Consistent with Agency-wide policies, ASIA/AMS recommends and implements internal policies on personnel actions; performance-management; incentive and performance awards; planning for and the allocation of property and space; travel; and security and emergency preparation. ASIA/AMS manages the execution of the Bureau’s Operating Expense (OE) budget and provides technical guidance and assistance on administrative/budgetary matters related to OE and personnel/human resources.
- The Office of Multilateral and Regional Affairs (ASIA/MRA) leads policy and program direction, interagency coordination, and donor engagement on regional and multilateral issues for the Bureau for Asia. This includes USAID participation in and support of the Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS), the IndoPacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF), the C5+1 diplomatic platform, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QSD or Quad), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (APEC), the Lower Mekong Initiative, and the Mekong-U.S. Partnership (MUSP). MRA serves as the interface for other bilateral and multilateral donors working in Asia.
- The Office of Central Asia and Afghanistan (ASIA/CAA) supports regional and bilateral activities in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Afghanistan. Central Asia and Afghanistan Desk Officers serve as the Missions’ primary liaisons in Washington and act as authorities on development issues unique to the Mission or country, representing Missions to key stakeholders and partners including the White House, Department of State, and Congress.
- The Office of East Asia and the Pacific (ASIA/EAP) supports bilateral and regional activities and provides policy coordination for Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Laos, Mongolia, Timor-Leste, Vietnam, and for the 12 Pacific Island Countries of Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji, Tonga, Tuvalu, Nauru, Kiribati, and Samoa. ASIA/EAP manages communication between Washington and the Missions and coordinates with external stakeholders. ASIA/EAP serve as the primary liaisons between Washington and these Missions and act as authorities on development and policy issues unique to the Mission or country, representing USAID to key stakeholders and partners including the White House, Department of State, and Congress.
- The Office of South Asia (ASIA/SA) supports bilateral and regional activities and Missions and leads policy and program direction, and inter and intra agency coordination for South Asia regional, India, Bhutan, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Maldives. ASIA/SA serve as the primary liaisons between Washington and these Missions and act as authorities on development and policy issues unique to the Mission or country, representing USAID to key stakeholders and partners including the White House, Department of State, and Congress.
