National Security Presidential Directive 66/Homeland Security Presidential Directive 25 (January 2009)

On January 12, 2009, the George W. Bush Administration released a presidential directive “establish[ing] the policy of the United States with respect to the Arctic region and direct[ing] related implementation actions.” The directive, dated January 9, 2009, was issued as both National Security Presidential Directive (NSPD) 66 and Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD) 25. The directive was the result of an interagency review, and it superseded for the Arctic (but not the Antarctic) a 1994 presidential directive on Arctic and Antarctic policy. The directive, among other things,

• states that the United States is an Arctic nation, with varied and compelling interests in the region;
• sets forth a six-element overall U.S. policy for the region;
• describes U.S. national security and homeland security interests in the Arctic; and
• discusses a number of issues as they relate to the Arctic, including international governance; the extended continental shelf and boundary issues; promotion of international scientific cooperation; maritime transportation; economic issues, including energy; and environmental protection and conservation of natural resources.

The Obama Administration has not issued a new directive superseding NSPD 66/HSPD 25; it is currently operating under the Bush Administration’s policy directive.

Read the NSPD 66/HSPD 25.