Washington, D.C. - The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is pleased to announce that the United States Government has nominated J. Brian Atwood for the position of Development Assistance Committee (DAC) chair. The DAC is a permanent forum of the Paris-based Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) that coordinates international development policy.

The DAC Chair serves as the official representative of development stakeholders from the twenty-four DAC member nations, who collectively contribute USD 120 billion per annum (2008) in official development assistance. The Chair also presides over DAC high level meetings where long-term development strategies and policies are created and plays a central and unique role in engaging with non-DAC and non-OECD members on salient issues of development assistance.

Atwood has had a distinguished career in public service, having served as USAID Administrator from 1993-1999 and as Assistant Secretary of State for Legislative Affairs from 1978-1980. He currently serves as Dean of the Hubert Humphrey Institute at the University of Minnesota, a position he has held since October 2002. His other prior positions include President and Chief Executive Officer of Citizens International (1999-2002) and founding President of the National Democratic Institute of International Affairs (NDI, 1985-1993), Given his vast experience and profound commitment to development, the United States Government is convinced that Atwood is exceptionally well-qualified for the position of DAC Chair and in this position, he will promote effective and coordinated delivery of development assistance.

“Through this nomination, we are demonstrating the United States Government’s renewed commitment to multilateral development, the DAC and its work,” said USAID Administrator Dr. Rajiv Shah. “Since its formation, the DAC has proven an effective forum for aligning U.S. development goals with those of other donors and for holding donors accountable for the assistance they provide to developing countries.”