Outgoing President BARACK OBAMA announced that drilling in the vast majority of US-owned northern waters is indefinitely off limits to future leasing.
The move is widely seen as an attempt to protect the region before the exit from office in January by President OBAMA.
The proclamation means that incoming President-elect DONALD TRUMP could find it difficult to reverse the decision.
Canada also committed to a similar measure in its own Arctic waters, in a joint announcement with Washington.
