June 10, 2021, Tashkent, Uzbekistan — Today, Mikaela Meredith assumed her duties as the first U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission Director in Uzbekistan. Ms. Meredith has almost 30 years of development experience with USAID. Prior to her new role, Ms. Meredith served as USAID’s Country Representative in Albania from 2018-2021 and USAID Mission Director in Azerbaijan from 2015-2018. She has also served in Yemen, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo and Washington DC. She holds a Master’s Degree from Columbia University’s School of International Affairs in New York.
“This marks the start of a new chapter in USAID’s partnership with the Government and people of Uzbekistan,” said Chargé d’Affaires Alan Meltzer. “USAID’s newly enhanced presence will increase our collective ability to help Uzbekistan build a vibrant private sector and civil society, cope with climate change, modernize its education and health systems, and strengthen good governance.”
“The establishment of the new Mission was part of the U.S. Central Asia Strategy adopted in 2020, which was reaffirmed recently by the Biden Administration,” said Mikaela Meredith. “It is my honor and privilege to serve as the first Mission Director for USAID in Uzbekistan. This is an important assignment and I take this responsibility very seriously,” she added.
USAID’s bilateral mission in Uzbekistan was established in September 2020. The new mission emphasizes the U.S. Government’s long-term commitment to the Government and people of Uzbekistan.
In Uzbekistan, USAID supports initiatives focused on improving economic growth, trade, and bolstering the private sector. Other priority areas include education, water management, health, and rule of law and citizens' access to justice as well as issues related to renewable energy, safe migration, and countering trafficking in persons.
USAID’s partnership with Uzbekistan began soon after the country’s independence. Since 1992, the American people, through USAID, have provided over $500 million for programs that support the development of a prosperous Uzbekistan.
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USAID partners with the Government of Uzbekistan to diversify the country’s economy and increase regional trade, address serious health threats – including COVID-19 – and build the government’s capacity to respond to the population’s needs. For more information, please visit: https://www.usaid.gov/uzbekistan.
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