PARAMARIBO – On Tuesday, 31 January 2023, Robert J. Faucher officially began his tenure as the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Suriname after presenting his Letter of Credence to His Excellency President Chandrikapersad Santokhi. The ceremony took place at the Presidential Palace.
Ambassador Faucher noted “I believe that the United States can play as important a role as a partner with Suriname in the 21st century and for the next 50 years of its independence as we did in the 20th century.” The Ambassador also commented on his own personal shared history with Suriname having served two previous tours at the Embassy in Paramaribo over the course of his career.
Ambassador Faucher outlined his priorities as including support for Suriname as it strengthens its democracy and governing institutions, and as it continues to be a world leader in the protection of biodiversity. He concluded: “I see Suriname as an engaged partner in the region, whose future is strong, stable, secure, and increasingly prosperous. I see a country that models support for our shared values, including respecting the rule of law, protecting human rights, and fighting international drug-trafficking and corruption. I am enthusiastic about the work we can do together, and I am honored to have been chosen to play a role in our common future.”
Ambassador Faucher is the 17th ambassador to Suriname from the United States, succeeding Ambassador Karen Lynn Williams, who departed in November.
A career member of the Senior Foreign Service with the rank of Minister-Counselor, the Ambassador began his diplomatic career in 1985 with his first posting in Suriname from 1986-88. He returned to Suriname as the Embassy’s Deputy Chief of Mission in 2002-04. Most recently he was the Acting Assistant Secretary and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations (CSO) and has held other senior positions in the U.S. State Department, including Director of the Office of Western European Affairs. In addition to Suriname, Ambassador Faucher has been Deputy Chief of Mission at U.S. embassies in Belgium, Ireland, and Luxembourg. He has also served in the Netherlands, the United States Mission to the European Union, and the United Kingdom.
Ambassador Faucher grew up Arizona and holds BA and JD/MBA degrees from Arizona State University, an LLM degree from Edinburgh University, and an MS degree from the National Defense University’s National War College. He is the recipient of multiple State Department performance awards, including two Senior Foreign Service Performance awards, and speaks Dutch and French.
