Within the framework of the Intergovernmental Collaborative Mechanism on Energy Cooperation in North-East Asia (Mechanism), adopted by government officials attending the first session of the Senior Officials Committee on Energy Cooperation in North-East Asia (hereinafter called the Committee), held in Ulaanbaatar on 17 November 2005, the Working Group on Energy Planning and Policy (WG-EPP) was established to act as a nodal point.

1. The Working Group shall comprise (a) two focal points appointed by the Committee (designated official and/or national experts) per participating country; (b) focal points appointed by the Governments of North-East Asian countries; and (c) focal points as deemed appropriate by the Chairperson of each working group or Committee secretariat.

2. The Chairperson of WG-EPP shall be appointed by the Committee for a period of one year with the possibility of reappointment.

3. The WG-EPP shall elect a Vice-Chairperson as well as a Secretary. The Vice Chairperson will assume the responsibilities of the Chair as designated by the Chairperson. The Secretary to the Working Group will maintain records of meetings and the activities of the Working Group and report them to the Chairperson. The Secretary of the Working Group may be assisted by the Committee secretariat/interim Committee secretariat.

4. The (interim) Committee secretariat shall facilitate the preparation and organization of WG-EPP subject to the availability of resources.

5. WG-EPP will develop and implement work programmes to attain the vision of the Mechanism, "By 2020, improved energy security in North-East Asia through energy cooperation in a sustainable manner". The programme will initially cover broad perspectives of policy issues towards improved energy security.

6. WG-EPP shall develop an annual work plan to achieve the goals and the expected accomplishments of the biennial work programme and seek the approval of the Committee.

7. The number and nature of the activities of WG-EPP shall depend on the availability of extrabudgetary resources. Members of the Working Group shall actively pursue the mobilization of the required financial resources to implement activities.

8. The Chair of WG-EPP shall report to the Committee on the activities of the working group as well as its financial performance on an annual basis.

9. WG-EPP could recommend to the Committee to establish other working groups as necessary.

10. The current terms of reference shall be reviewed in three years.

1. Energy security policies and legislation are coordinated among countries of North-East Asia by 2020;

2. Energy security is integrated into national sustainable development strategies (NSDS) in line with global trends.

1. Information regarding policies, national projects, bi/multilateral projects are available and accessible;

2. Joint activities/projects contribute to improving energy security in a sustainable manner in North-East Asia

1. Promote integration of policies on transboundary energy cooperation into national energy and sustainable development policies;

2. Identify scope for coordinating policies, legislation and projects to improve energy security through, among others, information sharing, exploration and development of energy resources in North-East Asia in a sustainable manner;

3. Promote policies to address external shocks causing energy supply disruptions;

4. Review energy pricing policies in national and global markets; identify policy measures to stabilize energy prices and ensure transparency in the energy markets;

5. Facilitate dialogues on energy supply and demand;

6. Identify quantifiable (economic, environmental and social) benefits arising from energy cooperation in North-East Asia through coordinated policies, legislation and projects;
7. Develop strategies and implement programmes for enhanced coordination.

1. Energy policymakers;

2. National development and financial policymakers;

3. Environment policymakers;

4. Policy researchers (energy, environment, development);

5. International organizations and development partners;

6. Any other relevant organizations/institutions.