Since 2006, 11 different states have appointed Arctic ambassadors or envoys, and on July 16th the United States became the 12th, with Secretary of State John Kerry naming Admiral Robert Papp, the recently retired commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, as its Special Representative to the Arctic.
Robert J. Papp Jr. is a former United States Coast Guard admiral and served as the 24th Commandant of the U.S Coast Guard.
In the past he led the largest component of the United States Department of Homeland Security, with 42,000 active duty, 8,200 Reserve, 8,000 civilian, and 31,000 Auxiliary personnel.
The United States has been actively participating in the activities of Arctic Council under the leadership of Department of State.
Also, many of other agencies, including the Departments of Interior, Energy, Commerce (NOAA), Transportation (FAA), and Homeland Security (Coast Guard), the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Science Foundation, the Arctic Research Commission, and the State of Alaska support or actively participate in the Arctic Council's work.
The United States actively seeks to promote the viability and socioeconomic wellbeing of Arctic communities and supports scientific research and international cooperation in achieving these goals.
The United States will chair the Arctic Council 2015 - 2017.