Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown met with his Tongan counterpart last Friday to strengthen bilateral ties and discuss regional cooperation ahead of the 60th anniversary of Cook Islands’ self-governance.
Prime Minister Brown welcomed the Prime Minister of Tonga and current Pacific Islands Forum Chair, Dr Aisake Eke, to Rarotonga to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Cook Islands self-governance on Monday.
As the first in a series of high-level engagements with international partners, the bilateral meeting provided a timely opportunity to deepen ties with Tonga, and reaffirm the Cook Islands’ commitment to regional solidarity, particularly in light of the upcoming Forum Troika meeting, comprising the Cook Islands Tonga and the Solomon Islands.
According to a joint statement the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI) and the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), PM Brown began the meeting by thanking Prime Minister Eke for his continued leadership as Forum chair, as well as for the Tongan vessel MV Taka-i-Pomana to help with passenger transport from the Pa Enua to Rarotonga.
The Tongan Prime Minister expressed gratitude for the invitation to Rarotonga, and emphasised the importance of regionalism and working together to address shared challenges.
Reflecting on the cooperation between the Cook Islands and Tonga, Prime Minister Brown affirmed, “Tonga has long been a valued partner for the Cook Islands. Their recent support provided through the MV Taka‑i‑Pomana, to reunite our communities for this historic celebration, is a testament to the kind of partnership that lifts the region as a whole. By strengthening ties with those closest to us, we create real opportunities for our people and advance the shared goals for a more resilient and connected Blue Pacific.”
Building on outcomes from the recent Forum Economic Ministers Meeting, the two leaders discussed opportunities to accelerate regional economic cooperation, particularly through operationalisation of the Pacific Roadmap for Economic Development, mobilising finance through the Pacific Resilience Facility, and progressing outcomes from the Deep Sea Minerals Talanoa.
In this context, Brown shared the Cook Islands intention to establish an Institute of Blue Ocean Sustainability and Science (IBOSS), aimed at strengthening ocean science, climate resilience, and sustainable blue economy development across the Pacific – ensuring ocean resource use remains strategically aligned with national and regional sustainable development ambitions.
The meeting concluded with Prime Minister Brown expressing appreciation for Prime Minister Eke’s attendance to the 60th Constitution celebrations, and reiterating the Cook Islands commitment to strengthen both regional and bilateral cooperation in the lead-up to a suite of ministerial and leader-level meetings, including the 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Solomon Islands later this year.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration yesterday welcomed Lenora Qereqeretabua, Deputy Speaker of Parliament and Assistant Foreign Minister of Fiji as well as Esala Nayasi, deputy secretary general of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat to join the 60th Constitution celebrations.
Over 30 regional and international leaders are expected to arrive on the weekend for the 60th self-governance anniversary, which will be celebrated on Monday.
