Eyeing stronger ties with Dhaka to advance peace, prosperity: US Ambassador Christensen
The ambassador along with his wife Deanne Dao arrived in Dhaka today
US Ambassador-designate to Bangladesh Brent T Christensen has said he looks forward to strengthening the ties between Bangladesh and the United States of America (USA) to advance peace and prosperity in the region.
"It is an honour for me to serve the United States as the 19th Ambassador to Bangladesh," said Ambassador Christensen who along with his wife Deanne Dao arrived in Dhaka today (12 January).
In a brief statement shared by the US Embassy in Dhaka, he said they both are thrilled to return to a country that holds many fond memories for them.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
The newly appointed ambassador laid emphasis on enhancing the relations between Bangladesh and the United States, reports UNB.
The US Embassy Dhaka welcomed Brent Christensen as the newly sworn-in Ambassador to Bangladesh. "I am thrilled to return to Bangladesh, a country I know so well," said Ambassador Christensen.
The US ambassador said he is excited to lead a great team at embassy Dhaka, Americans and locally employed staff alike, to "enhance US-Bangladesh relations, advance President Trump's agenda, and work hard every day to make America safer, stronger, and more prosperous."
Ambassador Christensen was confirmed by the Senate as Ambassador on 18 December 2025.
He served most recently as the Senior Official performing the duties of Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security from January-October 2025.
In this role, he oversaw the Department of State's global efforts on security cooperation, security assistance, counterterrorism, counternarcotics and nonproliferation.
A career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Ambassador Christensen previously served as the Foreign Policy Adviser to the Commander of United States Strategic Command and as Counselor for Political and Economic Affairs at the US Embassy in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Ambassador Christensen has held additional assignments overseas in the US missions to the Philippines, El Salvador and Vietnam.
His other domestic roles include serving as Deputy Director, Office of Regional Security and Arms Transfers, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, as Special Assistant to the Special Representative for North Korea Policy, as a fellow on the US House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, and as Bangladesh Country Officer in the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs.
Ambassador Christensen also served as one of two career Foreign Service members of the Foreign Service Impasses Disputes Panel, part of the US Federal Labor Relations Authority.
A distinguished graduate of the National War College, Ambassador Christensen earned a Master of Science in National Security Strategy.
He likewise holds a Master of Science in Statistics from Texas A&M University and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Managerial Studies from Rice University.
He speaks Spanish, German and Vietnamese, and has studied French, Japanese, and Portuguese.
Before joining the Foreign Service in 2002, he worked as a management consultant in Houston and New York City.
