U.S. Embassy MajuroMarshall Islands
Master Navigators
Master Weavers
Marshallese Jaki-ed mats, woven from pandanus palms, may be themost developed in all of the Pacific region.
A Shared World War II History
Four U.S. battleships of Task Group 58 in the fleet anchorage at Majuro Atoll, July 8, 1944.
Nuclear Legacy67 U.S. nuclear tests from 1946 - 1958
The 15 megaton Castle Bravo test of March 1, 1954 was the largest U.S. test ever conducted.
Physical Geography of the Marshall Islands
• Remote Pacific archipelago of 29 atolls and 5 islands;• Atolls are distributed along two island chains:
Ratak (“sunrise”) and Ralik (“sunset”)• Average elevation of the atolls is just a few feet above sea level;• 181 sq km total land area; no rivers or mountains;• 2.1 million sq km EEZ
Physical Geography of the Marshall Islands
• Remote Pacific archipelago of 29 atolls and 5 islands;• Atolls are distributed along two island chains:
Ratak (“sunrise”) and Ralik (“sunset”)• Average elevation of the atolls is just a few feet above sea level;• 181 sq km total land area; no rivers or mountains;• 2.1 million sq km EEZ
Physical Geography of the Marshall Islands
• Remote Pacific archipelago of 29 atolls and 5 islands;• Atolls are distributed along two island chains:
Ratak (“sunrise”) and Ralik (“sunset”)• Average elevation of the atolls is just a few feet above sea level;• 181 sq km total land area; no rivers or mountains;• 2.1 million sq km EEZ
A Special Relationship
• A Compact of Free Association• A high voting affinity in the United Nations• Visa free travel and work in the U.S.• Total USG assistance is roughly $100 million p.a.• An agreement to defend the Marshall Islands as if it were
part of the United States
Serving in the U.S. Armed Forces at a rate higher than that of any U.S. state
Induction ceremony for Marshallese men and women in late 2013.
Attending U.S. Service Academies
Jefferson Bobo graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.
Other Facts
• Less than 70,000 total population• Two “urban” centers:
- Majuro, the capital with 25,000 pop. and- Ebeye with 17,000 pop.
• Traditional land tenure system
RMI Ship Registry
Tuna
Climate Change
High tides and storm surge destroy Majuro airport seawall June 2013.
2013 Drought
Subsequent to a U.S. Presidential Disaster Declaration, the United Stateshas provided over $5.1 million in drought relief and recovery assistance.
Non-Communicable Disease
NCDs, including diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity are a challenge throughout the Pacific island region. RMI has a rate of NCDs per capitaamong the highest in the world.
Mission Marshall Islands
• Four Direct Hires:– COM– DCM/Consul/MO/HR/PAO– POL/ECON/Vice Consul– IMO/PSO/GSO
• Military Liaison• DOI Grant Manager• USAID/OFDA FAS Officer• 37 staff total
Other USG Offices under COM
• DOE Whole Body Counter facilities• USDA Rural Development Office• NOAA Meteorological Office
Key USG Agencies and Partners
Embassy Goals
• Continuing close ties between the United States and the Marshall Islands
• A healthy and educated population• Women’s empowerment and youth outreach• Support of USA-KA’s mission• Consular and American Citizen Services
U.S. Army Garrison – Kwajalein Atoll
• Under Combatant Command authority
• Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site (RTS)
• Key U.S. national defense asset
• Second largest employer after RMI Government
Engaging on health
Promoting locally grown foods over:• Spam• Sugar drinks• Rice• Processed foods• Candy
Sports Diplomacy
Engaging on Education
Supporting USAG-KA
USAG-KA Commander COL Nestor Sadler attends Nitijela opening.
Consular and American Citizen Services
Embassy Vice Consul reaches out to the American Citizens on Kwajalein Atoll at USAG-KA to answer questions about Citizenship, adoptions, and travel, as well as reviewing and accepting dozens of passport applications and renewals.
Reaching out with Facebook
Other Activities
• Active Embassy Science Fellow Program• Small grants – Women run NGOs– Locally grown food chain economics & analysis– Smokeless cook stoves– Running track– Marshall Islands first triathlon– College of the Marshall Islands text book acquisition
Other Activities
• Active Embassy Science Fellow Program• Small grants supporting Embassy goals
Visiting expert on invasive species and Embassy Science Fellow look at leaf pest.
Visits and Visitors
Embassy Majuro hosts nearly 600 official visitors a year.
Pacific Partnership 2013
Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ MeetingSecretary of the Dept of the Interior Sally Jewel
U.S. PACOM Deputy Commander LTG USMC Thomas Conant
LTG USMC Thomas Conant (left) greets Embassy procurement officer and USMC veteran.
EAP DAS Dennise Mathieu
EAP DAS Mathieu speaks while the Niue Premier, Ambassador Armbruster look on.
USCG RADM Cari Thomas
USCG RADM Cari Thomas and Ambassador Armbruster engage USCG AcademyGraduate Jefferson Bobo.
U.S. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus
USPACOM Navy Command Surgeon RADM Chinn
Commander U.S. Space Command LTG Mann
Acting Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security
Rose Gottemoeller
Other VisitorsJose Salvador Alvarenga
Thank You / Komol Tata
Thank You / Kommol Tata
Embassy Majuro’s 2013 Christmas Card