Dushanbe, Tajikistan, December 11, 2020 — On September 28, Keith Simmons assumed duties as the new Acting Mission Director of the U. S. Agency for International Development (USAID) for Tajikistan at the U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe. The new USAID Mission in Tajikistan demonstrates how the United States is strengthening its partnership with the Tajik people and supporting development throughout the country.

Mr. Simmon’s arrival corresponds with the allocation of approximately $100 million for several new activities to improve practices and results in the fields of agriculture and land governance, water resource management, education, health, and nutrition in Tajikistan.

In Tajikistan, USAID implements regional and bilateral development activities in the fields of trade, energy, water management, agriculture, nutrition, health, education, civil society, and governance. The annual program budget is approximately $40 million.

Mr. Simmons has over 40 years of experience in international development with USAID, the U.S. Department of State, and U.S. Peace Corps. He has served in countries across Europe, Eurasia, and in Africa, and Asia. His most recent prior assignment was with USAID India where he served as the Acting Mission Director.

 An introductory video of the new Acting Mission Director of USAID in Tajikistan Keith Simmons can be watched on Youtube: https://youtu.be/Z72EHLfF5zw