The U.S. Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, Ambassador Erin E. McKee will depart Papua New Guinea on Thursday 14th of April 2022 to take up her new role as the Assistant Administrator for Europe and Asia.
The Biden Administration nominated Ambassador McKee, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service with the rank of Career Minister, to be the Assistant Administrator for Europe and Eurasia at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
The U.S. Senate confirmed her nomination by unanimous vote on March 24.
She will be sworn in and begin her new position at USAID shortly after her arrival in Washington, DC.
At her departure ceremony, Ambassador McKee acknowledged the partnership forged by US and the three pacific nations that has expanded in recent years.
“I’m departing on a high note, and yes, it is sad, and it is bittersweet, but I’m so deeply proud of what we’ve accomplished in the last two and a half years.
“The United States is expanding our presence in the region and is here to stay.
“The New Embassy Compound is nearing completion, and symbolizes the United States’ strengthened and enduring partnership with the governments of Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu, while we advance the United States’ commitment to the Pacific, to a prosperous, inclusive, and democratically empowered society,” McKee said.
Her leadership saw an increased presence of US in the Pacific.
“Our Embassy staff has expanded significantly – we’ve actually doubled in size since I arrived.
“But not only in size but in diversity, in terms of skills and focus and passion.
“Since I arrived, we’ve added new agencies from the executive branch, our Defense Attaché’s office, USAID, and now we have the Departments of Defense, Commerce, Justice, and Homeland Security, and the U.S. Forest Service- that shows an enduring commitment in a lot of areas where we’ve heard very loud demand signals from our partners here for engagement.
“And we’ve attracted top talent to staff these positions,” she said.
She leaves satisfied that despite only two and a half years she has done her part to strengthen corporation and collaboration through many impact areas.
“I’m proud to say that, again and again we fulfilled our promise to engage on issues of health, the economy, security, and we amplified and shored up our many shared values.
“We fulfilled our promise to promote gender equality and rule of law. We fulfilled our promise to level the playing field and equip women and men with the tools they need to succeed.
“Together, America and Papua New Guinea are providing opportunities to all people.
“That’s what democracy means,” McKee said.
She explains that the US PNG partnership is a demonstration of support to freedom and dignity.
“In the contest between democracy and autocracy, between sovereignty and subjugation, make no mistake: freedom and dignity will prevail.
“As your partner and ally, the United States is committed more than ever to continue working with you and the other partners to achieve Papua New Guinea’s democratic goals.
“So, while I’m sad to leave, I leave knowing that Papua New Guinea is moving in the right direction, ever upwards and onwards, and I depart knowing that you are in good hands, hand-in-hand, with the United States of America.
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