Sheila Gwaltney arrived in Bishkek on September 5 to serve as the next U.S. Ambassador to the Kyrgyz Republic. President Barack Obama announced the nomination of Sheila Gwaltney, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, on August 28, 2014, and the U.S. Senate confirmed her nomination on August 5, 2015.
Ms. Gwaltney previously served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Bishkek from 1999 to 2002. “I had the great pleasure of living in your beautiful country 16 years ago. I can think of no higher honor than to return to represent the American people as the United States Ambassador to the Kyrgyz Republic, a country I know and respect for its rich culture, natural beauty, and warm and hospitable people. From the majestic beauty of Ala-Archa and Lake Issyl-Kyl to the heights of Suleyman Too, the people of the land of Manas have always held a special place in my heart and shown me that the people of our nations have so much in common.”
Ms. Gwaltney is committed to growing the exchange of culture and ideas that has been evolving over the past two decades between the Kyrgyz Republic and the United States. She is looking forward to presenting her credentials to President Almazbek Atambaev and working together to build a mutually prosperous future.