New U.S. Ambassador Arrives in Port Moresby

Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea:U.S. Ambassador-designate CatherineEbert-Grayarrived in Port Moresby today following her December 9, 2015 confirmation by the United States Senate and her swearing-in as the U.S. Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands on January 22, 2016.

Testifying before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on December 1, Ambassador Ebert-Gray said she will “continue to advance the United States’ overarching goal in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu to help foster sustainable, transparent, and inclusive economic growth, and to support host nation efforts to strengthen education, health, and security.”

Prior to her nomination as Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, Ambassador Ebert-Gray served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of Administration’s Office of Logistics Management, a position she has held since 2011.Ambassador Ebert-Gray is a Career Member of the United States’ Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor. One of her first assignments as a Foreign Service Officer was to Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Republic of Vanuatu.

She has also served in international posts in the Philippines, Morocco, Mali, Germany, and Togo. Throughout her career, she has distinguished herself as a highly effective manager of post operations with the ability to build strong multinational partnerships.

Ambassador-designate Ebert-Gray is currently scheduled to present her credentials to the Governor General of Papua New Guinea, Grand Chief Sir Michael Ogio at the Government House in Konedobu on February 23. Following the ceremony, Ambassador Ebert-Gray will officially become the fourteenth United States Ambassador to the Independent State of Papua New Guinea.