USAID Celebrates 15th Anniversary of Partnership with Turkmenistan

PAS No 241 
May 6, 2009

Cutting a cake on occasion of USAID's 15th Anniversary of Partnership with Turkmenistan Photogallery

Ashgabat, May 6, 2009 – Today, over 200 representatives from Turkmenistan's Government, donor community, local and international businesses, and civil society organizations gathered in Ashgabat to celebrate the 15th anniversary of USAID’s work in Turkmenistan.   The event reviewed Turkmenistan’s key achievements resulting from the cooperative work between Turkmenistan and USAID over the years.  Guests were able to view an exhibition of multiple USAID projects in the country.

In his opening remarks, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Richard Miles noted that “the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is the principal U.S. government agency through which the United States has carried out development cooperation with Turkmenistan.”  USAID launched its programs in Turkmenistan in late 1992, and later opened the full representative office.  Over the years, USAID has supported reforms in Turkmenistan's banking sector, cooperated in designing new tax policies, assisted in improvement of health care and many other areas.

USAID has worked with Turkmenistan's Government on fighting hepatitis, diphtheria, HIV, and other infectious diseases, to improve emergency medical services in country.  It opened several medical training centers to improve family doctors qualifications, health managers and TB specialists.  USAID has also worked with the Turkmen Government to improve medical care aimed at reducing infant and child mortality, and improving the quality of primary health care services and maternal health.  The new tuberculosis treatment method DOTS that USAID piloted in 2001 has been adopted for nationwide use. 

USAID continues to support adoption of international financial reporting standards in Turkmenistan.  Small businesses and farmers have received assistance to improve productivity, while youth have been enjoying economic and business education through USAID-supported Junior Achievement programs.

USAID is an agency created by President Kennedy in 1961 to deliver U.S. Government foreign assistance.  It now works in more than 100 countries around the world.  Numerous communities and local governments throughout Turkmenistan have teamed up with USAID to improve local infrastructure and services.  Nearly 500 grants supported construction of health clinics and roads, sanitation and water facilities, as well as services that benefited over a million people.  One of such projects was a water treatment plant that USAID built in Dashoguz in 1995 for 100,000 people in Turkmenbashy District.

• Photogallery "USAID Celebrates 15th Anniversary of Partnership with Turkmenistan"