On Tuesday, October 7, at 8 am PT, the Pacific Council welcomes our membership to dial in for a discussion of the current relationship between the U.S. and Greenland, and implications for Greenland’s potential bid for independence from Denmark. Members will hear from Rufus Gifford, Former Chief of Protocol of the United States and Former U.S. Ambassador to Denmark.

Greenland remains a key player in shaping the geopolitical and economic future of the Arctic region. Once a distant outpost, Greenland now sits at the center of conversations about Arctic security, critical minerals, Indigenous sovereignty, and remains of high strategic and political interest to the U.S.

Why it’s important:

• In August, the top U.S. diplomat in Copenhagen was summoned over claims that Americans had been conducting clandestine operations in Greenland in an effort to support the country’s separation from Denmark. 
• Due to increased security concerns, Denmark is expanding its military presence on Greenland. The Arctic Light 2025 exercise is active through Sept. 19, during which time the Danish Armed Forces will deploy the frigate Niels Juel, two EH-101 helicopters, and two F-16 fighter jets. 
• Greenland is strategically important due to its proximity to Europe, access to waterways connecting Russia and China, and the presence of rare earth minerals. 
• The European Commission proposed doubling its financial aid to Greenland as part of the next EU budget. Under the multi-annual financial framework for 2028–2034, the Commission is proposing over €530 million in funding for Nuuk.

Please send questions in advance to events@pacificcouncil.org.

To register for this webinar, visit the Zoom Registration Page.

Guest Speaker

Rufus Gifford is a former U.S. Ambassador, senior aide to Presidents Obama, Biden, and Vice President Harris, civic leader, public speaker, and advocate for Democratic causes.

Most recently, Gifford served as Finance Chair of the Biden-Harris and Harris-Walz Campaigns, amassing a record 2.2 billion dollars for the effort. Prior to that, he was the Chief of Protocol of the United States with the rank of Ambassador and Deputy Campaign Manager for Biden for President in 2020, with a focus on finance, external outreach, and coalition building. Aside from Presidential politics, he is focused on promoting civic engagement, particularly among youth and issue areas ranging from U.S. public diplomacy to renewable energy. 

From 2013 to 2017, Rufus served as the U.S. Ambassador to Denmark, where he led efforts to address the effects of climate change, build international coalitions, and invest in clean energy. He was awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of the Dannebrog by Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II of Denmark for his meritorious service. 

His pioneering tenure as Ambassador has been profiled in the Wall Street Journal, the Atlantic, CNN, and Vice News, among many other national and international outlets, and he has spoken extensively across Europe and the United States about his efforts to break down walls and humanize the work of government 

Prior to Government service, Rufus was the National Finance Director for President Barack Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign. During Obama’s first term, Rufus was the National Finance Director at the Democratic National Committee and supported the passage of a number of Obama policy initiatives. Before that, he was an aide on Obama’s historic 2008 presidential campaign. 

A native of Massachusetts, Rufus holds a bachelor’s degree from Brown University. He is married to veterinarian Dr. Stephen DeVincent, and they live in Concord, Massachusetts,  with their Golden Retrievers, Svend and Odin.

To register for this webinar, visit the Zoom Registration Page.