United States Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson on Friday ended her nearly four-year tour of duty in Manila, where she oversaw key developments in Philippine-US relations and delivered a parting message that highlighted diplomatic milestones and personal experiences during her stay.
Carlson, who arrived in the Philippines in 2022 as Washington’s top envoy, led initiatives that both governments credited with strengthening defense cooperation, enhancing economic engagement, and expanding people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.
During her farewell message, Carlson cited specific advances in security cooperation, including the implementation of existing defense agreements and the conduct of joint military activities that both sides said aimed to improve interoperability and regional stability.
She also highlighted efforts under her tenure to deepen economic ties, including programs and dialogues that focused on trade, investments, and development assistance, which officials from both countries described as part of a broader strategy to modernize and diversify the Philippine economy.
Carlson noted that the embassy supported projects in areas such as education, health, and disaster response, and she said these initiatives sought to reinforce the longstanding alliance while addressing the needs of local communities.
She recounted her engagement with Filipino officials, business leaders, civil society groups, and ordinary citizens across various regions, and she said these interactions helped shape embassy programs that aimed to reflect shared democratic values and mutual interests.
In her remarks, Carlson also shared personal trivia about her experiences in the Philippines, including a Filipino song she said she would remember from her time in the country, and she mentioned cultural activities that she joined as part of her public diplomacy work.
The ambassador referenced her participation in events that promoted Filipino arts, music, and cuisine, and she described these activities as opportunities to connect with different sectors and to showcase cultural links between the Philippines and the United States.
Carlson’s tenure covered a period when both governments reiterated their commitment to the Mutual Defense Treaty and other foundational agreements, and she worked with Philippine counterparts in organizing high-level visits and strategic dialogues in Manila and Washington.
She oversaw embassy engagement on regional issues that involved the Philippines and the United States, and she coordinated with Philippine agencies on maritime security, climate initiatives, and humanitarian assistance programs.
The ambassador acknowledged the role of embassy staff and partner institutions in implementing bilateral projects, and she expressed gratitude to Filipino colleagues and counterparts for their cooperation during her service.
Officials from both countries recognized Carlson’s role in maintaining regular communication channels between Manila and Washington, and they said her posting coincided with efforts to update the alliance in response to evolving regional and global challenges.
Carlson’s departure followed standard diplomatic rotation procedures of the US Department of State, which regularly reassigns ambassadors after multi-year postings, and the US government began its process to designate her successor in accordance with its internal protocols.
The US Embassy in Manila announced that a chargé d’affaires would temporarily oversee mission operations until the United States completes the appointment and confirmation of a new ambassador to the Philippines.
