CSCAP memoranda

Climate change poses significant security risks and grave challenges to the Asia-Pacific region, including: decreasing energy access, decreasing access to food, increased frequency and intensity of hydro meteorological disasters, population displacement, increased public health problems, and water stress. The kinds of responses that could help manage these climate security risks include: policy and institutional strengthening; regional and international cooperation; monitoring, research and technology; public awareness, education and training; and finance and resource mobilization. It would be prudent to begin implementing these responses in the near term, recognizing that there is uncertainty about the timing of these security risks, some of which will emerge gradually, and some of which may be rapid onset and catastrophic in nature. Download the Draft Memorandum No.15.

Trade management protects a nation's security, trade relations, and international reputation. It is fundamental to ensuring the security and integrity of the global supply chain. It also serves as a confidence-building measure for facilitating trade, economic growth, and development. Using the guiding priciples outlined in Appendix 1, this memorandum recommends specific measures involving legislation, licensing procedures, enforcement practices, and industry outreach that are essential to an effective management system for trading strategic goods. Download Memorandum No.14

This memorandum puts forward the proposed guidelines for maritime cooperation in enclosed and semi-enclosed seas and similar sea areas of the Asia Pacific, which have been developed by the study group on Facilitating Maritime Cooperation in the Asia Pacific. The guidelines are a set of fundamental, non-binding principles to guide maritime cooperation in the enclosed and semi-enclosed seas of the region, and to help develop a common understanding and approach to maritime issues in the region. Download Memorandum No.13

This memorandum addresses the need for maritime knowledge and awareness in the Asia Pacific. It identifies why these attributes are important for maritime security, and makes recommendations regarding how the current situation might be improved. Download Memorandum No.12

Human trafficking is a significant transnational crime committed across the globe. More people are on the move even as the avenues for lawful migration become more stringent. This situation creates a natural market for traffickers in an environment where the relevant policy and legal environment is limited. This memorandum identifies themain obstacles to effective responses to human traffickingand makesrecommendations. Download Memorandum No.11

Political differences among the members of the international community have to-date prevented agreement on a common definition of terrorism. This memorandum is premised on a suggested working definition of terrorism as "organised violence employed against civilians for a political purpose". Terrorism can be perpetrated by persons who belong to any ethnic, religious or ideological group. International terrorism is terrorism mounted by an entity with a capacity to undertake attacks in more than one country, and with transnational elements in terms of goals, membership or support. Download Memorandum No.10

The impacts of firearms trafficking in the Asia Pacific region are wide-ranging, affecting not only regional security and law enforcement, but also impacting on human security, education, economic development, and public health. The purpose of this memorandum is to show the way ahead for future action against arms smuggling in the Asia Pacific region and it alsooffers a range of proposals for mechanisms that, in combination, seek to provide a comprehensive approach to prevent, control and suppress arms smuggling. These proposals must not be seen as purely normative and regulatory principles; they are intended to serve as a general framework for future law reform and policy change, providing a set of best practice guidelines. Download Memorandum No.9