Cooperative energy security is not just intergovernmental cooperation. This paper explores the contribution of the original concept to the task of bringing together the international environmental and energy agendas. In its emergence through study of the Caspian region, the concept of cooperative energy security suggests the need for creating international, transnational, and multinational political coalitions having a strategic multi-faceted perspective. focused on concertation for governance. The question is discussed, how to encourage and implement the development of such a dedicated association of governmental, nongovernmental, and inter-governmental organizations.

Beginning with a focus on cooperative energy security, a move to sustainable development encourages a longer-term perspective that also expands the picture to include regional and local ecosystems as well as other aspects of development such as the varieties of cultural ideas about nature, community and identity. Since development depends on the products of many ecosystems, cooperative energy security for sustainable development implies a long-term balancing of energy, environment and economic development. Only a tripartite strategic alliance embracing publics as well as governments and industry can bring to bear the distributed knowledge required to accomplish these tasks