Azerbaijan declared its independence from the Soviet Union in August of 1991. At the crossroads of the Middle East, Central Asia and Europe, Azerbaijan is bordered by the Caspian Sea and Caucasus Mountains, which span Asia and Europe. It is a secular state with a Muslim-majority population and strong traditions of religious tolerance. Azerbaijan has substantial energy resources, which have led to rapid growth since the early 2000s. However, the decline of global oil prices since mid-2014 has created a downturn in the economy and financial sectors. Efforts are underway to implement significant financial and economic reforms in order to stabilize Azerbaijan’s economy. 

USAID currently provides development assistance to achieve goals in two major sectors: supporting the agricultural development; and strengthening citizen participation in rural communities.