After three impactful years serving as the United States Ambassador to Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Tonga, and Tuvalu, Marie C. Damour has concluded her tenure and is set to return to the United States.
In a heartfelt farewell, Ambassador Damour expressed her profound gratitude to the leaders, partners, and communities across the Pacific for their warmth, hospitality, and friendship, stating that the region has truly felt like a home away from home. She emphasized the strong bonds between the United States and the Pacific Island nations, highlighting shared values that unite them.
“Thank you for your trust and your friendship. You have created so many treasured memories, and I will always carry the Pacific in my heart,” she remarked, reflecting on her experiences. Throughout her time in the region, Ambassador Damour took part in national celebrations and collaborated closely with governments and communities to enhance opportunities for future generations.
Her tenure was marked by enriching moments, including engaging in cultural festivities and joint endeavors aimed at advancing shared goals in development, security, education, and health. “We have made our partnership stronger and brought our peoples closer,” she noted.
Describing her service as the honor of a lifetime, Damour was inspired by the resilience, generosity, and warmth of the Pacific peoples. As she prepares to depart, she conveyed her optimism that collaboration between the United States and the Pacific Island countries will only continue to flourish in the future. The relationships she has built will undoubtedly lay the groundwork for ongoing partnership and mutual respect in the years to come.