The Cook Islands joined fellow members of the Pacific Islands Forum Smaller Island States (SIS) group at the SIS Officials Meeting held at the Forum Secretariat in Suva, Fiji on 8 August.
The meeting, chaired by Federated States of Micronesia Ambassador Carson Sigrah and supported by Forum deputy Secretary General Esala Nayasi, marked the start of a week of key Forum governing council meetings leading into the Forum Leaders Meeting to convene in Honiara next month.
In their discussions, SIS officials agreed four prioritised actions for SIS advocacy, regional support and resources mobilisation. These were securing reliable and affordable air and sea transport; advancing fisheries development; strengthening regional procurement and health workforce mechanisms; and improving access to climate finance.
Cook Islands Head of delegation Foreign Secretary Tepaeru Herrmann said “In reflecting on our 60 years of self-government journey, we’re reminded of the resilience, innovation and determination of SIS members in delivering people centred development that is environmentally sound and enriched by cultural identity and social cohesion,” said Secretary Herrmann.
“That being said – our geographic isolation, economic and climatic vulnerabilities require innovative and tailored development approaches with dedicated financing which we look to the regional architecture to support. The Review of the Regional Architecture must mainstream recognition of the SIS within the regional system, including through regional ministerial meetings to ensure regional organisations (CROP) support – technical and financial – deliver tangible national level outcomes for SIS.”
The outcome of the SIS officials meeting will be considered by this week’s Forum Officials Committee meeting which will be attended by all 18 members of the Forum and CROP agencies. The SIS outcomes will be considered by SIS Leaders when they meet in Honiara next month.
Members of the SIS include the Cook Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Nauru, the Marshall Islands, Palau, Niue and Tuvalu.
