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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Amb. MaryKay Carlson: Ensuring that US, PH remain 'partners, friends, allies'

Amb. MaryKay Carlson: Ensuring that US, PH remain 'partners, friends, allies'

Published Oct 8, 2022 12:17 pm

Diplomatic relations between the United States and the Philippines have gone a long way ever since its establishment in 1946. Currently, a woman by the name of MaryKay Carlson is making sure that the two countries continue to be "partners, allies and friends" and their shared commitment to democracy and human rights are being observed.

Carlson arrived in Manila on July 21, 2022—a little earlier than when she was expected, July 31—following consultations in Washington DC.

The American diplomatic was sworn in in May to succeed former US envoy to the Philippines, Sung Kim, who served from November 2016 to October 2020.

Photo courtesy of US Embassy in the Philippines

Upon arrival in the Philippines, Carlson expressed her excitement "to get the ball rolling" and to engage with the Filipinos "to further strengthen the thriving U.S.-Philippines relationship."

"I look forward to working with the new government and our partners to upgrade and modernize our alliance to face new challenges, expand bilateral trade and investment, and promote democratic freedoms and good governance," she said in a statement.

It could be said that Carlson, who also speaks Spanish and Chinese, could be relied on in terms of diplomacy considering her 37 years of experience in the foreign service.

Prior to her Philippine posting, she served as the Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

She also worked as Deputy Chief of Mission in New Delhi, India for three years, including a ten-month stint as Chargé d’Affaires ad interim.

There were other posts she held when she served in China, Ukraine, Hong Kong, Mozambique, Kenya and the Dominican Republic.

In Washington, she also became the Principal Deputy Executive Secretary for the Secretary of State.

To convey the messages of the American government and to share the projects it initiated in the Philippines, Carlos uses her Twitter account @USAmbPH, where she is very active.

Since her arrival about three months ago, the diplomat has engaged in various activities, many of which were in the military.

She already met President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Vice President Sara Duterte and members of the Senate and House of Representatives.

Recently, she also held exchanges with former vice president and Angat Buhay chairperson Leni Robredo to explore "opportunities for collaboration."

A mother of two, the envoy is a native of Little Rock, Arkansas. She holds Masters Degrees from Georgetown University (International Relations) and the National War College (National Security Studies).

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