Around the globe, national and regional security is affected by a range of environmental issues. However, many of these problems can be addressed through shared knowledge and a combined effort.
The Pacific Environmental Security Forum (PESF) is the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command's (USINDOPACOM) program to explore solutions to environmental security issues throughout the Indo-Pacific region.
The primary purpose of the PESF is to increase regional militaries' understanding of these topics and their environmental stewardship obligations, and coordinate efforts with civilian agencies and NGOs for whole-of-government and whole-of-society solutions.
Virtual PESF
The first Virtual PESF is scheduled for 22-25 February 2021 (US) on the interactive Accelevents platform.
2019 PESF
From 21-24 May, the 2019 PESF was held in Wellington, New Zealand. The After-Action Report has been posted to the event page.
Visit the Resources page for past forum documentation and photos. The page also includes helpful environmental security references.
The 2021 Virtual Pacific Environmental Security Forum (PESF) is 22-25 February (US time, 23-26 February elsewhere), and will be the tenth Indo-Pacific Environmental Security Forum. The theme is “Strengthening the Partnership amid Great Challenges,” and the program includes live and pre-recorded sessions. Each day will focus on one working group of the Pacific Environmental Security Partnership, which 34 countries codified at the 2019 PESF in Wellington, New Zealand: 1) Education, 2) Policy, 3) Networking, 4) Mitigation. Please refer to the draft agenda and information paper for details. Event documentation can be accessed on the 2021 Virtual PESF Resources page.
Pacific Environmental Security Forum (PESF) has concluded. U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade would like to thank all participants who contributed to the meaningful event. The theme for the 2019 PESF was "Building Resilience in the Pacific," and topics such as climate migration, biosecurity, resource protection, regional environmental security solutions, and environmental security transformation were discussed. Documentation from the event can be accessed in the Resources section of this web page.
Maps were developed to help disaster responders prioritize cleanup efforts in the event of an oil spill in Laamu Atoll, Republic of Maldives.
South Asian environmental security stakeholders enhanced regional oil spill response readiness.
Mongolian water subject matter experts advanced their groundwater modeling capability.