• Acronym: SG-PICES-APN
• Parent Committees: FUTURE, SB
• Established: August 2021
• Duration: Aug. 2021 - Feb. 17, 2023
• PICES Co-Chair: Dr. Sonia Batten (Sonia.Batten@pices.int)

The Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN) and North Pacific Marine Science Organization (PICES) are Intergovernmental Organizations with shared goals, particularly in terms of supporting international cooperation in research and capacity development, and overlapping geographic regions of focus. Furthermore, through reciprocal participation at their most recent Annual Meetings both organizations have identified the need to strengthen partnerships with other organizations. A Framework for Scientific Cooperation could be developed to describe such a partnership between APN and PICES, and to undertake this development a Study Group is proposed with the structure and Terms of Reference outlined below.

The purpose of a joint APN-PICES Study Group for Scientific Cooperation of PICES and APN is to develop a framework of enhanced collaboration between the two organizations that will improve the ability to generate new knowledge and understanding of sustainability challenges in the Pacific, building on the PICES Strategic Plan, APN 5th Strategic Plan, and addressing the objectives of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. The Study Group will review each organization’s scientific needs and goals and identify where similar key priorities or scientific issues might be explored jointly by both organizations.

1. Review areas of scientific interests and existing and planned activities of each organization.
2. Develop a list of potential priority areas of cooperation.
3. Identify potential collaborative mechanisms such as reciprocal consultations, representation at each other’s meetings, joint workshops and symposia, joint Working Groups etc.
4. Propose practical steps for cooperation between the organizations in the near future.
5. Draft the Memorandum of Understanding or Framework for Scientific Collaboration between APN and PICES.