PPD-30 updates previous policy directives and sets forth a renewed, more agile U.S. Government response to hostage-takings of U.S. Nationals abroad. It commits the Government to working in a coordinated manner and utilizing all instruments of national power to recover hostages held abroad.

This directive applies to both suspected and confirmed hostage-takings in which a U.S. national, as defined in either 8 U.S.C. 1101 (a) (22) or 8 U.S.C. 1408, or a lawful permanent resident alien with significant ties to the United States is abducted or held outside of the United States.

The President also announced the release of an interagency Report on U.S. Hostage Policy, which reviewed U.S. responses to overseas hostage-takings and identified two dozen key findings and recommendations.

Remarks on the June 24, 2015 en taken hostage by murderous groups engaged in terrorism or privacy [piracy].* For these innocent men and women—tour sts, journalists, humanitarians—it's a horror and cruelty beyond description. For their families and for their friends, in our power to bring these Americans home safe and to support their fam

On June 24, 2015, President Barack Obama entered the Roosevelt Room of the White House and announced the findings of a review of U.S. policy regarding American hostages held abroad by terrorist groups. The review established a series of reforms.

The United States is committed to securing the safe recovery of U.S. nationals held hostage abroad and deterring future hostage-takings by denying hostage-takers any benefits from their actions.

Over the past decade, we have witnessed a significant shift in hostage-takings by terrorist organizations and criminal groups that has challenged the ability of the U.S. Government to secure the safe recovery of U.S. nationals taken captive.

Speaking in the Roosevelt Room at the White House, President Obama lays out the findings of the U.S. Hostage Policy Review and the outlines of what U.S. policy will be moving forward.

Today, I’m formally issuing a new presidential policy directive to improve how we work to bring home American hostages and how we support their families. I’ve signed a new executive order to ensure our government is organized to do so.

The President also announced the release of an interagency Report on U.S. Hostage Policy, which reviewed U.S. responses to overseas hostage-takings and identified two dozen key findings and recommendations.