United States Ambassador Elizabeth Rood has commenced her duties in Turkmenistan following her arrival on July 24. She was sworn in as the U.S. Ambassador to Turkmenistan on July 15, 2024, and presented her credentials to President Serdar Berdimuhamedov on July 31, 2024. During her tenure, she aims to enhance the partnership between the United States and Turkmenistan.
Ambassador Rood is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service with the rank of Minister-Counselor. Her previous roles include Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, Russia; Faculty Advisor at the U.S. Army War College; Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi, Georgia; and Political Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan. She also directed several offices within the State Department.
Rood is recognized with numerous State Department performance awards, including three Senior Foreign Service Performance Awards. Originally from North Carolina, she holds an MA from the University of Maryland and an AB from Randolph-Macon Woman’s College. She speaks multiple languages including Russian, French, German, Pashto, Dari, Georgian, and Turkmen.
For media inquiries regarding this announcement, contact can be made through the Public Diplomacy Section of the U.S. Embassy in Turkmenistan via USEmbassy-Ashgabat-PAS@state.gov.