Deputy secretary to attend forum

 THE United States deputy secretary of State for management and resources, Heather Higginbottom, will lead a high-level US Government delegation to the Pacific Islands Forum Post Forum Dialogue (PIFPFD) on Sept 11 in Port Moresby.

Her visit will emphasise the depth and breadth of American engagement with the Pacific Islands.

The delegation will also include senior officials from the United States Pacific Command, US Coast Guard, US Department of State, and US Agency for International Development (USAID).

Their participation demonstrates continued US commitment to the Pacific Islands region and to issues that are of utmost importance to the Pacific Islands, including climate change, oceans, renewable energy, women’s empowerment, sustainable development and health. 

Higginbottom will also hold consultations on bilateral and regional issues with heads of state of the Pacific Islands Forum members and other senior foreign officials.

In her role, she shares in the global responsibilities for US foreign policy and has broad management and programmatic oversight responsibilities for both the Department of State and the USAID. She is the first female in US to become deputy secretary and most recently served as counsellor to the Secretary of State, advising him on policy, personnel, and management issues.

Higginbottom began her government service in 1999, when she joined the office of then Senator John Kerry as legislative assistant.