After an impactful three-year term as the United States Ambassador to Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Tonga, and Tuvalu, Marie C. Damour is concluding her tenure and returning to the United States. In an emotional goodbye, Ambassador Damour expressed her deep gratitude towards the leaders, partners, and communities across the Pacific, noting their exceptional warmth, hospitality, and friendship. She emphasized that the Pacific region has truly become a home away from home for her.
“Thank you for your trust and friendship. You have created so many treasured memories, and I will always carry the Pacific in my heart,” she remarked, reflecting on her time in the region. Throughout her tenure, Ambassador Damour actively participated in national celebrations and worked closely with local governments and communities to create opportunities for future generations.
Her term was highlighted by enriching experiences, such as taking part in cultural events and collaborative projects aimed at advancing common goals in areas like development, security, education, and health. “We have made our partnership stronger and brought our peoples closer,” she noted, underlining the successful collaborations that characterized her time in office.
Describing her service as the honor of a lifetime, Damour spoke of the resilience, generosity, and kindness of the Pacific peoples that inspired her daily. As she prepares to leave, she conveys a hopeful optimism that the collaboration between the United States and the Pacific Island nations will continue to thrive in the future. The relationships she has nurtured during her tenure are expected to serve as a foundation for ongoing partnership and mutual respect in the years ahead.