Kiribati–United States relations

Kiribati and the United States have diplomatic relations. Geographically, Kiribati is the closest neighboring country to the state of Hawaii.

After independence
Following its independence in 1979, Kiribati signed a treaty of friendship with the United States. The United States Department of State characterizes U.S.–Kiribati relations as "excellent",. Diplomatic relations are conducted by the I-Kiribati Ambassador to the United States. The United States has no consular or diplomatic facilities in the country. Officers of the American Embassy in Suva, Fiji, are concurrently accredited to Kiribati and make periodic visits. The U.S. Peace Corps, an independent United States federal agency, had maintained a program in Kiribati since 1967. However, the Corps announced plans to pull out of Kiribati in November 2008 after 35 years of working in the country. Michael Koffman, the Peace Corps Country Director for Kiribati, cited the frequently cancelled and erratic air service in the country as the main reason the Peace Corps was leaving Kiribati.

In 2023, the United States announced plans to open up an embassy in Kiribati, as part of a larger regional push to strengthen ties in the Pacific.

United States
Principal U.S. Embassy Officials include:
 * US Ambassador – Marie C. Damour (since 2022).

The U.S. Embassy responsible for Kiribati is located in Suva, Republic of the Fiji Islands.

Kiribati
Principal Kiribati Officials include


 * Permanent Representative of Kiribati to the United Nations - Teburoro Tito

The Kiribati Permanent Mission to the UN serves as the Embassy in the US.