Meridian International Center hosted its bi-annual Welcome to Washington reception on September 9, 2025, bringing together newly arrived Ambassadors, U.S. Members of Congress, and Meridian leadership to strengthen international relationships and promote cross-cultural engagement. The historic campus was abuzz with conversation, collaboration, and the shared spirit of global diplomacy. Deputy Secretary of State Chris Landau joined the gathering to personally welcome the newly arrived Ambassadors.

“This is a very special place,” the Ambassador Stuart Holliday, CEO of Meridian International Center, reflected, marking nearly 20 years at Meridian and noting that this would be their final year presiding over the reception. Deborah Lehr, a long-serving Meridian Trustee, was introduced as interim CEO, ensuring the organization continues on its path of excellence while the search for a new leader is underway.

The evening emphasized the power of connection beyond traditional diplomatic channels. Ambassadors were encouraged to engage not only with government officials but also with business leaders, artists, journalists, and think tanks across the country. “The best way to truly understand America is to experience it firsthand,” The Honorable Fred P. Hochberg, Chairman of the Meridian Board of Trustees shared, underscoring the importance of exploring the United States beyond Washington, D.C. Representative Don Bacon (NE-2), Representative Jim Baird (IN-4), Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), and Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37) lent their support to the celebration, emphasizing the value of congressional engagement in fostering international dialogue.

Meridian welcomed ambassadors and distinguished guests from across the globe, including: His Excellency Alejandro Carlos Oxenford, Ambassador of Argentina; His Excellency Narek Mkrtchyan, Ambassador of Armenia; His Excellency Frédéric Bernard, Ambassador of Belgium; Her Excellency Agniola Ahouanmenou, Ambassador of Benin; His Excellency Kassoum Coulibaly, Ambassador of Burkina Faso; Her Excellency María Isabel Castillo Báez, Ambassador of the Dominican Republic; His Excellency Pablo Zambrano Albuja, Ambassador of Ecuador; His Excellency Binalf Andualem Ashenef, Ambassador of Ethiopia; Her Excellency Tamar Taliashvili, Ambassador of Georgia; His Excellency Lionel Delatour, Ambassador of Haiti; Her Excellency Elita Kuzma, Ambassador of Latvia; His Excellency Muhammad Shahrul Ikram, Ambassador of Malaysia; His Excellency Vladislav Kulminski, Ambassador of Moldova; His Excellency Talal Alrahbi, Ambassador of Oman; His Excellency Dragan Šutanovac, Ambassador of Serbia; His Excellency Amara S.M. Sowa, Ambassador of Sierra Leone; and His Excellency Daniel Castillos, Ambassador of Uruguay.