Executive Order 13689: Enhancing Coordination of National Efforts in the Arctic
President: Barack Obama
Created an Arctic Executive Steering Committee to align federal policy, programs, budgets and engagement in the region.
Status: In effect. Is Executive Order 13689 still in effect? Yes. Executive Order 13689 remains the unrevoked legal framework for the Arctic Executive Steering Committee. The Federal Register records no revocation, and the committee’s October 9, 2024 meeting documents implementation of that framework; this does not establish its meeting schedule or priorities after 2024. Sources: Federal Register 2015 executive order disposition table, EO 13689; Signed Executive Order 13689; White House, summary of October 9, 2024 Arctic Executive Steering Committee meeting.
What does Executive Order 13689 do?
EO 13689 created the Arctic Executive Steering Committee to coordinate federal Arctic policies, plans and budgets and to improve engagement with Alaska Native, state and local partners. White House records show the committee met in October 2024 to review implementation of the 2022 Arctic strategy. The original order has not been identified as expressly revoked, but the available official records reviewed here do not establish the committee’s meeting schedule or priorities after 2024.
Before and after
Before the order
Numerous agencies pursued Arctic responsibilities through separate programs and councils.
After the order
A senior White House-led body could align priorities, budgets, science and stakeholder engagement.
Who had to do what
| Agency / office | Action | Timing / position |
|---|---|---|
| Steering committee | Set priorities coordinate agencies and report | Subject to current administration structure |
| Federal agencies | Align Arctic plans and resources | Continuing under current policy |
| Committee leadership | Engage Alaska Native state local and private partners | Continuing in varied forms |
What happened next
EO 13689 established the committee.
The committee held a principals’ meeting documented by the White House.
Legal and source detail
How it works legally
The order relies on presidential supervisory authority and preserves agency statutes, appropriations and tribal consultation duties. It creates no private right.
Sources by type
If a source is unavailable, first check the cited publisher or another official repository. The cited publisher remains the authority.
Primary and official sources
Orders, laws, court records and official implementation material.
- White House — 2022 Arctic strategy (opens in a new tab) Official record
How we checked this
Last checked against the sources above on September 23, 2026. How we research →