In an important symbol of America’s commitment to an enduring friendship with the people of the Republic of Djibouti, as well as the importance of our bilateral relationship with the Republic of Djibouti Government, the United States dedicated its new Embassy in Djibouti today. U.S. Ambassador Geeta Pasi presided at the ceremony, joining Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf; and Managing Director for the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations’ (OBO) Planning and Real Estate Directorate, Jay Hicks.
The multi-building complex – including a Chancery, a Marine Security Guard Quarters, a General Services Office annex, Compound Access Control buildings, and a utility building - has quickly become a platform to increase U.S. interaction with the Djiboutian people. The Embassy’s permanent art collection celebrates the exchange of artistic expression between the United States and the Republic of Djibouti through 33 works by 23 Djiboutian and American artists, curated by OBO’s Office of Art in Embassies. Occupying a 10-acre site in the New Haramus neighborhood, the new facility creates a secure, sustainable, and pleasant workplace for over 100 employees.
The new Embassy incorporates numerous sustainable features, most notably water conservation through the use of water-saving drip irrigation and re-use of cleansed waste water for irrigation. The facility is registered with the Green Building Certification Institute and will pursue Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Certification. Caddell Construction Company of Montgomery, Alabama constructed the project, which was designed by Integrus Architecture of Spokane, Washington. The $147 million project generated jobs in both the United States and Republic of Djibouti.
Since the 1999 enactment of the Secure Embassy Construction and Counterterrorism Act, the Department has moved more than 26,000 people into safer facilities. OBO has completed 88 diplomatic facilities and has an additional 40 projects in design or construction.
OBO’s mission is to provide safe, secure, and functional facilities for the conduct of U.S. diplomacy and the promotion of U.S. interests worldwide. These facilities represent American values and the best in American architecture, engineering, technology, sustainability, art, culture, and construction execution.
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