Mr. Bloom is a distinguished lawyer and former senior diplomat with an unparalleled legacy in Arctic and Antarctic governance, international maritime law, and foreign policy. Over the course of nearly three decades at the U.S. Department of State, he shaped global policies on polar affairs, ocean governance, and international cooperation, earning a reputation as one of the foremost experts in his field.

As Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and Fisheries and Director of the Office of Ocean and Polar Affairs, Mr. Bloom played a leading role in advancing U.S. leadership in both the Arctic and Antarctic. He led U.S. delegations to key global forums, including the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings and the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, overseeing the creation of the world’s largest marine protected area in Antarctica’s Ross Sea. His expertise extended beyond policy to enforcement, conducting multiple official inspections of foreign Antarctic facilities.

In the Arctic, he was instrumental in establishing the Arctic Council, crafting its foundational agreements and guiding U.S. participation for more than a decade. He co-chaired negotiations that resulted in the landmark Agreement on Arctic Science Cooperation and played a key role in the Council’s efforts to advance ecosystem-based management. His leadership in Arctic governance helped bridge scientific, diplomatic, and geopolitical interests, ensuring sustainable stewardship of the region.

Beyond the polar regions, Mr. Bloom spearheaded U.S. engagement in high-stakes international negotiations on oceanic and maritime law. He led U.S. delegations at  the United Nations for  treaty negotiations related to biodiversity  in areas beyond national jurisdiction and chaired the Executive Committee of the federal Extended Continental Shelf Task Force. His work influenced global maritime policies through his supervision of State Department engagement with the International Maritime Organization and the International Seabed Authority.

Mr. Bloom has been a Senior Fellow at the Wilson Center’s Polar Institute.  He currently serves as Senior Advisor to the Centre for the Ocean and the Arctic at UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Adjunct Professor at Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Marine Protected Area Policy Advisor to the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition and Polar Governance Chair at the Ted Stevens Center for Arctic Security Studies.

Earlier in his career, Mr. Bloom served as a legal adviser on a range of critical international issues, from climate change negotiations and sustainable development to space law and international humanitarian law. He was a key U.S. negotiator on agreements related to the International Space Station and global navigation systems, demonstrating a rare breadth of expertise across multiple domains of global governance. His commitment to public service also led him to serve as Counsel to the State Department’s Inspector General and as a member of the federal Senior Executive Service.

A recognized leader in international diplomacy, Mr. Bloom is a Member of the Council on Foreign Relations and a Fellow of the Explorers Club. His contributions have been honored with prestigious awards, including the U.S. Coast Guard Commandant’s Distinguished Public Service Medal and the U.S. Antarctica Service Medal. He holds degrees from Princeton University (AB) and Columbia Law School (JD) and previously practiced law in Tokyo and Washington, D.C. His career stands as a testament to the power of diplomacy, law, and scientific cooperation in shaping the future of global governance.

As a key member of The North World Approach, Mr. Bloom brings decades of experience in Arctic and Antarctic governance, international law, and multilateral diplomacy. His expertise in negotiating landmark agreements and shaping cooperative frameworks among Arctic nations will be critical in ensuring that The Arctic Approach establishes a governance model that promotes environmental sustainability, scientific collaboration, and geopolitical stability in the region.