The United States Embassy in Majuro has officially announced the retirement of Ambassador Laura M. Stone, marking the conclusion of her remarkable 35-year career in diplomacy. During her tenure, Stone played a pivotal role in reinforcing the partnership between the United States and the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
Ambassador Stone’s work was particularly noteworthy for advancing collaborative efforts outlined in the Compact of Free Association. She closely collaborated with the Marshallese government to address shared priorities, emphasizing improvements in education, health, infrastructure, and public administration. Under her guidance, programs such as the Individual Support Distribution (ISD) and Extraordinary Needs Distribution (END) were established to ensure that the benefits of the Compact reached the communities that needed them most.
In addition to her domestic initiatives, Stone also enhanced cooperation on regional maritime security and maintained vital discussions regarding the US nuclear legacy in the Marshalls. Reflecting on her time in the islands, she described it as “one of the greatest honours” of her career, expressing satisfaction with the meaningful progress made in delivering the Compact’s benefits to the Marshallese people.
Confident in the future of US-Marshall Islands relations, Stone believes that the partnership will continue to flourish. Her extensive diplomatic experience spans several senior positions in Washington, alongside international postings in Vietnam, China, Thailand, and Japan.
Following her departure, Deputy Chief of Mission Gregory D’Alesandro will step in as Chargé d’Affaires until a new ambassador is appointed, ensuring a seamless transition in leadership at the embassy. This transition also represents an opportunity for continued collaboration and growth in the valuable partnership between the United States and the Marshall Islands.
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