2006 Archives
U.S. Official Donald Y. Yamamoto discusses good governance and development success, and meets with Cameroon Head of State Paul Biya
Deputy Assistant Secretary Donald Y. Yamamoto urges African countries to make an unchallenged commitment to promote good governance and to fight the scourge of corruption that hinders the successful implementation of any aid, trade, or assistance program.
He was speaking during a conference held in Yaounde on October 17, 2005 by Transparency International – Cameroon on the theme “Measuring and Improving Governance”. During the conference Deputy Assistant Secretary Yamamoto made a speech on “The Link Between Good Governance and Development Success: The Growing International Consensus.” He also met with the Cameroonian Head of State Paul Biya to discuss many issues concerning strategies in enhancing bilateral/multilateral relations between the United States and Cameroon.
Donald Yamamoto currently serves as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of African Affairs. Prior to this appointment, he served as U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Djibouti from 2000 to 2003 and was the Deputy Director for East African Affairs from 1998 to 2000. Ambassador Yamamoto entered the Foreign Service in 1980. Former assignments include U.S. Embassy Beijing as Ambassador’s staff aide and Human Rights Officer during the Tiananmen Square demonstrations in 1989; Japan as Principal Officer of the Fukuoka Consulate; and Eritrea as Chargé d’Affaires at U.S. Embassy Asmara in the Horn of Africa.
Ambassador Yamamoto is a graduate of Columbia College and did graduate studies at Columbia University, receiving a Masters degree in International Affairs. He has studied Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and French. During his Foreign Service career, he has received three individual Superior Honor awards and two group awards. Donald Y. Yamamoto was born in Seattle, Washington and raised in New York City. He is married with two children.