On the Retirement of Ambassador Jessica Lapenn

Over the last two years, Ambassador Jessica Lapenn has served with distinction as the inaugural U.S. Senior Coordinator for Atlantic Cooperation.  In building the Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation, she has fostered a multilateral forum that recognizes the cross-cutting nature of our biggest environmental and development challenges as well as the potential of the Atlantic community to make progress on them together.  Ambassador Lapenn has brought together like-minded nations to collaborate on shared opportunities and to address common challenges.  The United States has already deployed $10 million in new funds to bolster innovative and collaborative Atlantic Partnership programs.

A committed multilateralist, Ambassador Lapenn retires after 30 years in the U.S. Foreign Service, including as the U.S. Ambassador to the African Union.  I thank Jessye for her leadership, creativity, dedicated public service, and enduring contribution to our Atlantic relationships.

Representing more than 75 percent of the Atlantic coastline, Partnership members are pursuing joint endeavors that will resonate across the region. For the United States, the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs and State Department Counselor Tom Sullivan will continue to carry forward this work, reflecting our high-level commitment to advancing a cooperative, prosperous and sustainable Atlantic region.