The Pacific Council hosted two ambassadors during their visits to Los Angeles last week: U.S. Ambassador Dana Shell Smith (Qatar) and Vietnamese Ambassador Pham Quang Vinh. Ambassadors Smith and Vinh sat down with Council members during roundtables to discuss bilateral relations with each country.

In her conversation with Council members, Ambassador Dana Shell Smith provided her take on issues related to Middle East policy and the 2022 FIFA World Cup, in addition to leading a broader conversation about the U.S.-Qatar strategic relationship.

Ambassador Shell Smith is a career member of the U.S. Foreign Service, and has held several roles in the U.S. State Department. She was confirmed by the Senate as the U.S. Ambassador to Qatar in July 2014, following her service as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Public Affairs from 2011 to 2014. She also served previously as U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Media. The Ambassador speaks Arabic, Chinese, Spanish, and Hebrew. (Read more about Ambassador Dana Shell Smith.)

Ambassador Pham Quang Vinh met with a group of Pacific Council members in downtown Los Angeles to discuss Vietnam's place in the Southeast Asia region, as well as U.S. relations with ASEAN countries.

The Ambassador has served in his post in Washington, D.C., since his appointment by Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang in July 2014. He previously served as Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) in charge of relations with countries in South Asia, Southeast Asia and the South Pacific, and ASEAN. (Read more about Ambassador Pham Quang Vinh.)

The Pacific Council regularly hosts high-level diplomats, government officials, and thought leaders for roundtable discussions on pressing foreign policy issues. Check out all of our upcoming events and activities.