New US envoy arrives

 UNITED States Ambassador-designate Catherine Ebert-Gray arrived in Port Moresby yesterday following her Dec 9, 2015 confirmation by the US and her swearing-in as the US ambassador to Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands on Jan 22, 2016.

Testifying before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Dec 1, 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, 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. 

Ebert-Gray is a career member of the US Foreign Service, class of minister-counsellor.  

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.

Ebert-Gray is currently scheduled to present her credentials to the Governor-General of Papua New Guinea, Grand Chief Sir Michael Ogio at Government House on Feb 23. 

Following the ceremony, Ambassador Ebert-Gray will officially become the 14th US to Papua New Guinea.