The MIC is a senior operator-led, seven-nation forum that identifies and addresses strategic and high operational level interoperability issues. It identifies interoperability issues and articulates actions, which if nationally implemented by member nations, contribute to more effective multinational/coalition operations. This forum has existed since 1996 and consists of representatives from the Ministries/Departments of Defence of Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States. New Zealand is an Observer while NATO Allied Command Transformation and the European Union Military Staff are Associates.