The Pacific Forum assesses and promotes security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific on many fronts: the proliferation and nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction, strategic trade controls, nuclear safety and security, maritime security, counter-terrorism and transnational crime, cyber security, and preventive diplomacy. The cornerstone of many of these efforts is its involvement in the Council for Security Cooperation in the Asia Pacific (CSCAP). The network of officials, media, military, and academic representatives that comprise the membership of CSCAP provides the Pacific Forum with an opportunity to influence attitudes and debates in the region on a range of foreign policy issues. As one of CSCAP’s founding institutions, the Pacific Forum also manages the US Member Committee (USCSCAP).

The Pacific Forum conducts an annual USCSCAP meeting in Washington, which provides updates on ASEAN Regional Forum and ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting-Plus activities and discusses current Indo-Pacific security issues. Study Groups and supporting expert groups serve as the primary forums for CSCAP’s research efforts that focus on providing policy recommendations intended to promote regional security cooperation. Representatives from CSCAP member committees meet semi-annually for a Steering Committee Meeting to review study group activity and consider recommendations for new study group initiatives. USCSCAP representatives participate in several CSCAP Study Groups and related ASEAN Regional Forum Workshops related to peacekeeping, preventive diplomacy, maritime security, and countering transnational crime and terrorism. These efforts are supported by the Carnegie Corporation of New York and the US departments of State and Energy.