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