WASHINGTON, D.C. – The International Religious Freedom (IRF) Roundtable welcomes the announcement—made last night via the platform X—of Congressman Mark Walker’s selection by the Trump administration to serve as the next U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom.
As a long-standing, multi-faith, and non-partisan community of advocates committed to advancing freedom of religion or belief for all people, everywhere, the IRF Roundtable has long valued robust and constructive engagement with leaders who serve in this important role. The Ambassador-at-Large plays a critical part in promoting religious freedom as a core component of U.S. foreign policy and in championing the rights of religious and belief communities facing persecution worldwide.
Congressman Walker brings a deep understanding of the challenges facing religious communities globally and a demonstrated commitment to the cause of human dignity and liberty. His leadership in Congress, including efforts to support persecuted communities and engage diverse coalitions, has prepared him well for this vital position.
Born in Dothan, Alabama, in 1969, Mark Walker is a Baptist pastor and public servant who represented North Carolina’s 6th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2015 to 2021. During his tenure, he chaired the Republican Study Committee and served as Vice Chair of the House Republican Conference. Walker has been recognized for his efforts to build bipartisan coalitions in support of religious freedom, human rights, and international engagement.
“We are encouraged by the nomination of Ambassador-designate Walker and stand ready to support him as he steps into this pivotal role at a time when international religious freedom faces mounting challenges,” said Nadine Maenza, President of IRF Secretariat and Co-chair of the IRF Roundtable. “The IRF Roundtable remains committed to partnering with the Ambassador and the Office of International Religious Freedom to protect and promote the freedom of thought, conscience, religion, and belief for all.”
For over a decade, the IRF Roundtable has served as a space for civil society leaders, faith communities, survivors, and policy stakeholders to collaborate across deep differences and find common ground. We believe that cooperative engagement and persistent diplomacy—anchored in a shared commitment to freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief—are essential to lasting progress.
We welcome this new chapter in U.S. leadership on international religious freedom and invite continued dialogue, collaboration, and momentum in the days ahead.
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About the IRF Roundtable:
The IRF Roundtable is a multi-faith, inclusive, and informal network of individuals from non-governmental organizations who gather regularly to discuss and advance the cause of international religious freedom. Our mission is to promote freedom of religion or belief for all people, everywhere, through respectful dialogue, strategic partnerships, and collective action.
First published HERE.
