Cook Islands

The annual 52nd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting (PIFLM52) is set to be held in the Cook Islands this November.

Eighteen member nations form the leaders forum, one associate member (Tokelau), five observer nations, and 21 dialogue partner nations. 

The theme will be, “Our Voices, Our Choices, Our Pacific Way: Promote, Partner, Prosper”.

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown will chair the meeting this year. It will be the first time the Cook Islands - whose nation is a founding member - have hosted the forum since 2012. 

The theme for the annual gathering will be, "Our Voices, Our Choices, Our Pacific Way: Promote, Partner, Prosper".

Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) chair and Cook Islands Prime Minster Mark Brown said hosting the meeting was a significant event for the country and the region.

"We have been planning and consulting extensively to ensure our theme serves to inspire and empower our Leaders gathering," Brown said.

Palmerston Island is one of the most isolated of the 15 islands that make up Cook Islands, better known for its picture-perfect white sandy beaches and pristine natural environment.

But the island's residents are having to put up with tiny rodents that they say have become a "nuisance".

"Rats are a problem on Home Island (the islet that is occupied by people)," Palmerston's executive officer Arthur Neale said.

"They have been a nuisance. They damage our crops, coconuts, fruit trees. So you're always battling the rats."

More than one thousand signatures from 34 countries and 56 indigenous groups are calling for a total ban on this industry. 

The 28th Session of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) meeting resumed discussions in Kingston over a week ago, where delegates had to decide whether to give course to the first commercial plan to mine the seabed which could begin operations as early as this year.

PMN News reports the activists are challenging governments and the International Seabed Authority to enact a ban on Deep Sea Mining effective immediately.

The two leaders during their first meeting, discussed key areas of cooperation to further advance Fiji and Cook Island’s bilateral relations.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Rabuka emphasized that Fiji places great importance on its relations with the Cook Islands as Pacific Island Developing States and stewards of large maritime spaces.

He adds that the bilateral relations have grown over the years, through collective participation and advocacy in regional and at international forums.

The multiple Olympic gold medallist came with a delegation from FINA, the World governing body for Aquatic Sports.

The Cook Islands Aquatic Federation swimming programmes in the schools start with the kids at a young age, with some already looking out for a Cook Islands swimming representation at the Brisbane Olympics in 2032.

In a statement issued from Mark Brown's office Sir Tom Marsters said he was "satisfied" that Mark Brown had the majority of the MPs elected to Parliament.

Following the final count of the Cook Islands general elections, the Cook Islands Party (CIP) gained 12 seats including the Ngatangiia seat which was initially tied between CIP's candidate Sonny Williams and Cook Islands United Party's Margaret Matenga.

Mark Brown thanked the community for a fair and peaceful election process.

Voters will have four parties, and a movement calling for a collegial approach to government, to choose from.

Cook Islands politics has been dominated for years by the Cook Islands Party led by the current Prime Minister Mark Brown - a man who is very confident of holding on to power.

He believes his government has done a very good job keeping the country together in very trying circumstances over the past two or so years.

There are 69 candidates in all contesting the poll, and one, marine scientist Teina Rongo, hopes this election will be third time lucky for him.

The election August 1 date was announced on Tuesday by The Queen's representative Sir Tom Marsters on national radio.

The Chief Electoral Officer, Taggy Tangimetua said the 49-day turnaround to polling day is the "shortest she has ever seen in the Cook Islands."

The Cook Islands Electoral office said voter registration is open until June 20th, while nominations for election candidates open on June 21st and close on June 30th.

The programme delivers maritime safety initiatives to seven Pacific Island countries – Cook Islands, Kiribati, Niue, Samoa, Tokelau, Tonga and Tuvalu.

The funding, from 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2026, marks the fourth phase of the programme.

The PMSP is a Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade programme, funded through the International Development Cooperation programme and delivered by Maritime NZ.