John Kerry is one of the most well-known and influential statesmen on the world’s stage, and has served as U.S. President Barack Obama’s chief advisor on foreign affairs since 2013.

A staunch supporter and advocate of free speech and an independent press, Secretary Kerry served in the U.S. Senate for 28 years.

In 2009, Secretary Kerry became Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, assuming a leadership role on key foreign policy and national security issues facing the United States, including Afghanistan and Pakistan, nuclear nonproliferation, and global climate change. His service as Chairman built on his previous Senate work that included helping to expose the Iran-Contra scandal and leadership on global AIDS.

Secretary Kerry was the Democratic Party's nominee for President of the United States in 2004.