THIS WORKING GROUP IS NO LONGER ACTIVE
Co-Chairs	Canada c/- Centre for International & Security Studies York University 4700 Keele Street, North York Ontario M35 IP3 Canada Ph: 1 416 736 5156 Fax: 1 416 736 5752 Email: brianjob@hotmail.com Japan CSCAP Japan c/- Japan Institute of International Affairs Kasumigaseki Bldg, 11F Kasumigaseki 3-2-5, Chiyoda-ku Tokyo 100-6011 Japan Ph: 813 3503 7412 Fax: 813 3503 7186 Email: cscapjp@jiia.or.jp
Background
The objective of the Working Group on the North Pacific, as defined in a paper prepared by its founding co-chairs on 2 November 1994, is 'to contribute toward dialogue and security cooperation in the North Pacific with specific reference to security issues in Northeast Asia'. It is different from the other groups in several important respects: it has distinct geographical boundaries in focussing on a sub-region of Asia-Pacific; whereas the most vital regional security issues lie in Northeast Asia, the mechanisms for dialogue are less developed there than elsewhere in the Asia-Pacific region; the intention has been to focus on a few key issues, mainly concerning the Korean Peninsula, rather than pursuing several fronts; and it has been from the outset less confident about its capacity to produce policy recommendations. Rather, it is tasked with promoting the institutionalised dialogue necessary for the development of cooperative policies. The group had its first meeting (on 'Frameworks for Stability on the Korean Peninsula') in Tokyo in April 1995, but it was hamstrung for a couple of years by the absence of participants from North Korea (which joined CSCAP in December 1994 but did not attend the group's April 1995 meeting) and China (which did not join CSCAP until December 1996). It has now had six meetings.
Meetings

Date Place Subject/Comments 1. April 1995 Tokyo Frameworks for stability on the Korean Peninsula. 2. 31 Jan-2 February 1997 Vancouver Discussed four main topics: current dialogue mechanisms in Northeast Asia; the relevance of institution-building in Southeast Asia for Northeast Asia; the connection between economic and security cooperation; and possible CSBMs suitable for Northeast Asia. 3. 15-16 December 1997 Makuhari, Japan Discussed four main issues: recent developments in Northeast Asia (and particularly the bilateral summit meetings); border CSBMs in Northeast Asia; institutional arrangements for economic security cooperation in Northeast Asia (and particularly KEDO); and the role of the ARF in Northeast Asia. 4. 8-10 November 1998 Beijing Four topics were discussed: the security implications of the regional economic crisis, particularly for North Pacific states; the significance of recent increased bilateral, trilateral, and multilateral relations among the major powers of Northeast Asia; the evolving circumstances on the Korean Peninsula; and the proliferation of weapons and the effectiveness of non-proliferation regimes regarding Northeast Asia. 5. 27-28 September 1999 Tokyo Discussed four topics: the implications of the changes in major power relations in Northeast Asia; the Korean Peninsula; proliferation and counter-proliferation in the North Pacific; and economic cooperation and regional governance. 6. 14-16 June 2000 Ulaan-battor The Working Group focused on recent developments in the North Pacific, especially among the major powers, regional implications of developments on the Korean Peninsula, weapons proliferation and non-proliferation, as these concern the North Pacific, geopolitics of energy in Northeast Asia, especially concerning land-based resources and project development. 7. 9-10 Dec 2000 Manila Developments in the Korean Peninsula; and the Asia-Pacific Security and North Pacific Security. 8. 28-29 June 2001 Paris For the North Pacific Working Group (NPWG) and the CSBM Working Group, this meeting in Paris in June 2001 was their first joint meeting and the first time that the NPWG would meet outside the region. 9. 11-12 March 2002 Vancouver The topics discussed included relations among the great powers, recent developments on the Korean Peninsula, the impact of the events of September 11th for the North Pacific region, confidence and security building measures, and new forms and roles for regional multilateral institutions. Not surprisingly, much of the Working Group's discussions centred on the events of September 11 and their impact of the region, including the potential for improved relations among the major powers. 10. 13-15 March 2003 Berkeley, USA   11. 13-15 November 2003 Seoul, Korea Developments on the Korean Peninsula; Assessing the Six-Party Talks; and Economic Human Security Dimension. Publications