From February 12 to 18, Deputy Administrator Isobel Coleman traveled to Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, and Tajikistan. During her trip, the Deputy Administrator underscored USAID's partnership with the people of Central Asia to strengthen regional connectivity, economic diversification, food security, clean energy, digital integration, vibrant civil societies, good governance, and more.
Throughout her travels, Deputy Administrator Coleman emphasized the United States' commitment to each of the Central Asian states' sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence. She affirmed USAID's enduring support for health, education, governance reform, inclusive economic growth, and nutrition needs across the region to help communities build resilience and prosperity. She also highlighted USAID activities that continue to support the United States and Central Asia's shared objectives across all three pillars of C5+1 diplomatic engagement - economy, energy and environment, and security.
Deputy Administrator Coleman began her trip on February 12 in Astana, Kazakhstan with a tour of the Alzhir Memorial Museum, where she paid tribute to victims of Stalin's mass repression and highlighted U.S. support for Kazakhstan's resilience, identity, and sovereignty. Then, she met with government leaders and U.S. Embassy staff to discuss ways to strengthen regional cooperation to address the impacts of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and its disinformation operations, as well as the implications of the Taliban's destabilizing actions, which are deepening Afghanistan's humanitarian crisis.
In Almaty, home to USAID's Regional Mission to Central Asia, Deputy Administrator Coleman met on February 14 with entrepreneurs, civil society groups, and youth leaders to discuss barriers to expanding inclusive economic opportunities, as well as protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms. She announced 15 grants for journalists and independent content producers in Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan through USAID's Central Asia Media Program, aimed at increasing media and information literacy of youth and adults so they become critical consumers and producers of information that contributes to an active and vibrant civil society. She also toured a dairy processing facility which, with USAID support, is contributing to strengthened intraregional trade and diversified supply chains as it increases production and sales, creating new jobs and bolstering livelihoods across Central Asia.
