Partnership Action Plan on Defence Institution Building (PAP-DIB)
The Partnership Action Plan on Defence Institution Building (PAP-DIB) was launched at the 2004 Istanbul Summit. It aimed to reinforce efforts by partner countries to reform and restructure their defence institutions to meet domestic needs as well as international commitments. It formed the basis for the tools and mechanisms used today to support cooperation between NATO and partner countries.
- The PAP-DIB was launched by Heads of State and Government in the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council at NATO’s Istanbul Summit in June 2004.
- This reaffirmed their conviction that effective and efficient state defence institutions under civilian and democratic control are fundamental to stability in the Euro-Atlantic area and for international security cooperation.
- The reform of defence and security institution is often a long and difficult process, and often partner countries are hampered by scarce resources and limited experience. PAP-DIB offered support by defining common objectives for partnership work in this area, encouraging exchange of relevant experience, and helping tailor and focus bilateral defence and security assistance programmes.
- The Action Plan formed the basis for the partnership programmes and tools used between NATO and partner countries today.
The objectives of the Action Plan on Defence Institution Building included:
- effective and transparent arrangements for the democratic control of defence activities;
- civilian participation in developing defence and security policy;
- effective and transparent legislative and judicial oversight of the defence sector;
- enhanced assessment of security risks and national defence requirements, matched with developing and maintaining affordable and interoperable capabilities;
- optimising the management of defence ministries and other agencies which have associated force structures;
- compliance with international norms and practices in the defence sector, including export controls;
- effective and transparent financial, planning and resource allocation procedures in the defence area;
- effective management of defence spending as well as of the socio-economic consequences of defence restructuring;
- effective and transparent personnel structures and practices in the defence forces;
- effective international cooperation and good neighbourly relations in defence and security matters.
Over the years, all work foreseen under the Action Plan was taken over by other partnership programmes and tools. These programmes and tools are now open to all of NATO’s partners and include the following:
- the Planning and Review Process, which helps partners reform their defence institutions, identify and develop capabilities, achieve interoperability with NATO standards, and prepare forces for possible participation in international peace and security operations;
- the Defence and Related Security Capacity Building Initiative, which provides strategic advice and practical assistance to partners, helping them build capacity in areas where NATO has expertise;
- the Professional Development Programme, which assists interested partner countries in developing the professional skills of civilian personnel employed in their defence and security institutions;
- the Defence Education Enhancement Programme, which provides tailored practical support to partner countries in developing and reforming their professional military education institutions; and
- the Building Integrity Programme, through which NATO works with Allies and partner countries to promote good governance and implement the principles of integrity, transparency and accountability in the defence and related security sector.