Edgard Kagan

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Edgard D. Kagan
22nd United States Ambassador to Malaysia
Incumbent
Assumed office
March 20, 2024[1]
PresidentJoe Biden
Donald Trump
Preceded byBrian D. McFeeters
Manu Bhalla (acting)
Personal details
NationalityAmerican
SpouseCynthia @ Cindy Gire[2][3]
Children3[2][3]
EducationYale University (BA)
Edgard Kagan's voice
Kagan's opening statement at his confirmation hearing to be United States ambassador to Malaysia
Recorded June 13, 2023

Edgard D. Kagan is an American diplomat who has currently been serving as the twenty-second United States ambassador to Malaysia since 2024.

Early life and education

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Kagan holds a Bachelor of Arts from Yale University.[4]

Career

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Kagan is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, with the rank of Minister-Counselor.[5][6] Currently, he serves as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for East Asia and Oceania at the White House National Security Council.[7] Previously, he served as Deputy Chief of Mission at U.S. embassies in India and Malaysia.[8] Kagan also held several roles in the State Department's Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs.[8] Kagan additionally served as Consul General in Mumbai, India and as the deputy director of the Washington Office of the United States Mission to the United Nations.[8] His other overseas assignments include Australia, China, Israel, among others.[4]

U.S. ambassador to Malaysia

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On May 2, 2023, President Joe Biden nominated Kagan to be the next US ambassador to Malaysia.[4][5] Hearings on his nomination were held before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on June 13, 2023.[9] The committee favorably reported his nomination on July 13, 2023.[10] His nomination was confirmed by the full United States Senate via voice vote on November 8, 2023.[10] He arrived in Malaysia on December 19, 2023.[3] He presented his credentials to King of Malaysia Sultan Ibrahim on March 20, 2024.[1]

Following the Ulu Tiram police station attack in Johor in May 2024, Kagan expressed his condolences to the families of the two Malaysian policemen killed in the incident,[11] stating that the tragedy serves as a reminder that both the United States and Malaysia share common interests against terrorism and cannot afford to relax their vigilance.[12]

As ambassador, Kagan has made a visit to Sarawak to reinforced partnerships to promote clean energy, regional security, and other businesses civil society ties and people-to-people ties with the local Sarawak government.[13][14] He also made a visit to Sabah to enhancing economic activity, attracting foreign investment, and advancing infrastructure with the local Sabah government, where he officiate the opening of the American Green Corner Sabah at the Sabah State Library, to signifies collective commitment towards educational and environmental advancements between Malaysia and the United States.[15][16] Kagan also recognise and praises the Malaysian government's efforts in enhancing security around Sabah,[17] where he said his country’s are seeking to provide Malaysia with more equipments and expertise to defend its own sovereignty.[18] He also stated that Sabah is among the place that holds a special place in his heart with the warmth and hospitality shown by its people during his encounter through a visit to Sandakan and the Kinabatangan River.[2][19]

Awards and recognitions

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Kagan has previously won the Presidential Meritorious Award.[4]

Personal life

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Kagan speaks French, Mandarin, Hungarian, and Spanish.[4] He is married to Cynthia "Cindy" Gire and has three children.[2][3]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b @usembassykl (March 20, 2024). "Ambassador Kagan presented his credentials to Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ibrahim, in a ceremony at Istana Negara" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  2. ^ a b c d Lai, Nancy (June 13, 2024). "My family and I love Sabah, says US envoy". The Borneo Post. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d "Ambassador Edgard D. Kagan". U.S. Embassy in Malaysia. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
  4. ^ a b c d e "President Biden Announces Key Nominees". The White House. May 2, 2023. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  5. ^ a b "Press Release: Nominations Sent to the Senate". The American Presidency Project (Press release). May 2, 2023. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
  6. ^ "Engaging with Southeast Asia: The Ambassadors' Perspective". Asia Society Policy Institute. April 22, 2024. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
  7. ^ "Transcript Teleconference with NSC/Edgard Kagan and EAP A/S Daniel Kritenbrink on U.S.-ASEAN Special Summit". U.S. Mission to ASEAN. May 18, 2022. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
  8. ^ a b c "Kagan, Edgard – Malaysia– May 2023 [Certificate of Competency]". U.S. Department of State. May 23, 2023. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
  9. ^ "Statement of Mr. Edgard D. Kagan [Nominee for U.S. Ambassador to Malaysia] Senate Foreign Relations Committee" (PDF). U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. June 13, 2023. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
  10. ^ a b "PN578 — Edgard D. Kagan — Department of State 118th Congress (2023-2024)". US Congress. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  11. ^ Ambassador Edgard D. Kagan [@USAmbKL] (May 17, 2024). "I am deeply saddened by the loss of the two police officers at the Ulu Tiram police station. My condolences to their families, loved ones, and all members of the Royal Malaysia Police. @PDRMsia" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  12. ^ "US ready to assist Malaysia in combating terrorism". Bernama. May 25, 2024. Retrieved May 27, 2024 – via The Star.
  13. ^ "Ambassador Kagan Strengthens U.S.-Sarawak Ties". U.S. Embassy in Malaysia. May 14, 2024. Retrieved April 1, 2025.
  14. ^ Ten, Marilyn (October 17, 2024). "US ambassador meets Sarawak Premier to strengthen renewable energy ties". The Borneo Post. Retrieved April 1, 2025.
  15. ^ "Ambassador Kagan Visits Sarawak and Sabah". U.S. Embassy in Malaysia. Retrieved April 1, 2025.
  16. ^ Miwil, Olivia (June 13, 2024). "American Green Corner in State Library a testament of good Sabah-US ties: Hajiji". New Straits Times. Retrieved April 1, 2025.
  17. ^ Miwil, Olivia (June 14, 2024). "US ambassador praises Malaysia's efforts to enhance security in Sabah". New Straits Times. Retrieved April 1, 2025.
  18. ^ Sivanesan, Jegathisan (June 14, 2024). "Ambassador: US to provide Malaysia with more tools, expertise to defend sovereignty". The Borneo Post. Retrieved April 1, 2025.
  19. ^ "Ambassador Kagan Visits Sandakan". U.S. Embassy in Malaysia. Retrieved April 1, 2025.
Diplomatic posts
Preceded by United States Ambassador to Malaysia
2024–present 		Succeeded by
Incumbent