Indo-Pacfic Environmental Security Partnership Terms of Reference

The Indo-Pacific Environmental Security Partnership Terms of Reference is executed by the undersigned parties as an expression of their mutual intent to collaborate in good faith. The parties acknowledge their understanding that this agreement is not legally binding and serves solely as a framework for future discussions.

Download Terms of Reference

Ways to Participate

FOCUS-IN

  • The capstone Forum is an annual multi-day event to meet in-person and discuss matters of interest regarding civil-military engagement in addressing environmental security threats and issues. The agenda is varied, consisting of keynote speakers, presentations, posters, networking events, workshops, field trips, reports on current and completed activities, educational gatherings and cultural events.
  • The Host Nation is a volunteer, rotating responsibility across the Members. A hosting schedule is set 3-years in advance by the Steering Committee. Host Nations manage the logistics and planning for the Forum with the financial and leadership support of the Administrator.
  • Attendance at the IPESF is by invitation from the Host Nation and CFE-DM. National representatives from defense/militaries and civilian government agencies are prioritized to participate in the event. The United States embassy invitation process is used to determine national representatives. Continuity of participation by Members (and their individual representatives) is encouraged to support the long-term development of relationships and knowledge.
  • The Host Nation and Steering Committee will invite other Members depending on the regional and topical focus.
  • More information regarding Forum planning is in the Appendices.

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Working Groups

Working Groups are teams of Members that work together to achieve a shared goal on a specific topic. Working Groups enable people with a range of skills, knowledge and interests to collaborate and make more progress collectively than they would on their own.

Working Groups have set objectives, time frames and membership, i.e. they are not always enduring. They are intended to produce tangible results that contribute to the overall mission of the Partnership.

Proposals for future Working Groups can be made by Members. Approval is by consensus of the Steering Committee. Reports of Working Group activities and projects will be presented at each Forum (by presentation or posterboard) for the collective awareness and development of all Members.

What does the working group do?

The purpose of the Steering Committee is to provide overall direction and oversee the IPESP to ensure that it is delivering the desired benefits and outcomes for Members.

The Steering Committee will:
  • Engage Members to participate in the activities of the IPESP;
  • Contribute to the planning of the annual Forum with the Host Nation;
  • Decide opportunities for Working Groups;
  • Support Members to establish continuity and lead Working Groups;
  • Consider opportunities for collaborative projects and support Members to establish and execute projects;
  • Approve requests to join the Steering Committee; and
  • Meet quarterly to manage Partnership activities

The IPESP Steering Committee consists of lead defense/military representatives from national Members to focus the Partnership’s activities on contemporary traditional and non-traditional environmental security matters across the Indo-Pacific region. The Steering Committee is currently comprised of:

  • The United States Pacific Command’s (USPACOM) Center for Excellence in Disaster Management & Humanitarian Assistance (CFE-DM),
  • The Australian Defence Force (ADF), and
  • The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF).

To become a part of the Steering Committee, members can self-nominate or be nominated. Appointments will be by consensus of the Committee. The Steering Committee shall meet at the IPESF and at least quarterly thereafter.

The Building Capability Working Group is proposed to be the foundational Working Group established under IPESP. The goal of the Building Capability Working Group is to advance Members’ capabilities in addressing environmental security issues. The mechanisms for building capability include:

  • Shared learning, which may include technical expert exchanges, visits, or online seminars;
  • Training courses, provided by Members or external experts; and
  • Mentoring of a Member by another Member.
  • Host an event midway between IPESFs for the wider IPESP membership to receive updates from the partnership, working groups and projects, and engage in the discussion to progress the partnership.

The Building Capability Working Group will propose capability building topics and activities to the Steering Committee. These may be areas in which Members wish to increase their knowledge and expertise, or areas of expertise that they are willing to share. The Group will contact Members about opportunities, and if there is sufficient interest in a topic then those who wish to participate can then organise the activity. The Steering Committee may provide support if applicable.

Given the important enduring nature of the Building Capability Working Group, this group will initially be chaired by the Administrator of the Partnership. The Building Capability Working Group shall meet at the IPESF and every second month following.