Kiribati–United States relations

(Redirected from U.S.-Kiribati relations)

Kiribati and the United States have diplomatic relations. Geographically, Kiribati is the closest neighboring country to the state of Hawaii.

Kiribati–United States relations
Map indicating locations of Kiribati and USA

Kiribati

United States
Diplomatic mission
Kiribati Consulate, HonoluluUnited States Embassy, Suva
Envoy
Ambassador
Teburoro Tito
Ambassador
Marie C. Damour

History

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Gilbert and Ellice Islands–United States relations
 
Gilbert and Ellice Islands
 
United States
 
Gilbertese-Hawaiian girl, 1909
Gilbert Islands–United States relations
 
 
Gilbert Islands
 
United States

Before independence

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After independence

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Following its independence in 1979, Kiribati signed a treaty of friendship with the United States.[1] The United States Department of State characterizes U.S.–Kiribati relations as "excellent", as of 2009.[1] Diplomatic relations are conducted by the I-Kiribati Ambassador to the United States. The United States has no consular or diplomatic facilities in the country. Officers of the American Embassy in Suva, Fiji, are concurrently accredited to Kiribati and make periodic visits.[1] The U.S. Peace Corps, an independent United States federal agency, had maintained a program in Kiribati since 1967. However, the Corps announced plans to pull out of Kiribati in November 2008 after 35 years of working in the country.[2] Michael Koffman, the Peace Corps Country Director for Kiribati, cited the frequently cancelled and erratic air service in the country as the main reason the Peace Corps was leaving Kiribati.[2]

In 2023, the United States announced plans to open up an embassy in Kiribati, as part of a larger regional push to strengthen ties in the Pacific.[3]

Embassy

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United States

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Principal U.S. Embassy Officials include:

The U.S. Embassy responsible for Kiribati is located in Suva, Republic of the Fiji Islands.

Kiribati

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Principal Kiribati Officials include:

  • Permanent Representative of Kiribati to the United Nations – Teburoro Tito

The Kiribati Permanent Mission to the UN serves as the Embassy in the United States.

See also

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Further reading

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  • "Secretary Clinton on Amelia Earhart". 20 March 2012. Retrieved 2013-06-08. I especially want to welcome Tessie Lambourne, the Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Immigration of the Republic of Kiribati. [She]...and her husband David...traveled three days to get here for this wonderful event. (Applause.)

References

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  1. ^ a b c Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs (May 2009), "Background Note: Kiribati", United States Department of State website, retrieved 2009-08-06, Relations between Kiribati and the United States are excellent.
  2. ^ a b Bataua, Batiri (3 July 2008). "Peace Corps To Quit Kiribati". Pacific Magazine. Retrieved 2 July 2008.[permanent dead link]
  3. ^ "US set to open Tonga embassy in May as Pacific push ramps up". The Guardian. May 2, 2023. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
  4. ^ Suva, U. S. Embassy (December 24, 2022). "Ambassador". U.S. Embassy in Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Tonga, and Tuvalu. Retrieved April 30, 2024.

  This article incorporates public domain material from U.S. Bilateral Relations Fact Sheets. United States Department of State.

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