New US ambassador arrives in Manila, presents credentials to BBM in less than 24 hours

The US has a brand new ambassador to the Philippines, a profession diplomat with 36 years of expertise in East Asian affairs together with two assignments to China. She additionally speaks Spanish and Chinese language.

US Ambassador MaryKay Loss Carlson arrived in Manila Thursday evening, 5 months after she was appointed by US President Joe Biden.

“I’m thrilled to be within the Philippines and honored to symbolize the USA on this vital relationship.  With the Philippines, our oldest treaty ally in Asia, we’ve a protracted historical past of shared sacrifice and extremely shut people-to-people ties,” Ambassador Carlson mentioned.  “I look ahead to working with the brand new authorities and our companions to improve and modernize our alliance to face new challenges, develop bilateral commerce and funding, and promote democratic freedoms and good governance.”

The US Embassy has no ambassador to the Philippines for 18 months, after Ambassador Sung Kim left in October 2020 and re-assigned by then President Donald Trump to Indonesia.Lower than 24 hours after her arrival in Manila, Carlson was instantly given an viewers in Malacañang and was in a position to current credentials to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Friday, three days earlier than Marcos seems earlier than Philippine Congress for his first State of the Nation Deal with.

“I arrive in Manila impressed by the bond between our nice nations and devoted to creating it even stronger.  I really feel particularly lucky to reach within the early days of your administration,” Ambassador Carlson advised President Marcos through the presentation of credentials.

She mentioned she is wanting ahead to creating “new commerce and funding ties” between the Philippines and US. She additionally would really like Manila and Washington to associate on clear power options, defend marine and terrestrial sources, and assist deal with the local weather disaster.   The senior international service officer had served as deputy chief of mission on the US Embassy in Argentina, in addition to in India. Her different diplomatic stints as international service officer embody US diplomatic missions in China, Ukraine, Hong Kong, Mozambique, Kenya and the Dominican Republic.

“Carlson has devoted a lot of her profession, spanning over 36 years, to the East Asia area. This in depth and substantive regional expertise, coupled along with her administration expertise and demonstrated potential to guide giant interagency groups in addition to policy-oriented places of work, makes her a well-qualified candidate to be the U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines,” the US State Division mentioned in its submission to US Congress.

Heather Variava, who has been serving as Chargé d’Affaires advert interim since September 2021, will stay in Manila as Deputy Chief of Mission.

“I thank Heather for her exceptional management and for the excellent work she has executed to advertise our shut partnership with the Philippines,” the ambassador mentioned.  “I look ahead to working carefully along with her, and with the group on the U.S. Embassy, to additional strengthen our ties with the Philippines as enduring associates, companions, and allies.” 

Ambassador Carlson arrived along with her husband, Aubrey Carlson, a retired U.S. diplomat.  Ambassador Carlson’s full biography could also be seen right here.