The Cook Islands recently participated in Module 2 of the Singapore-Pacific Resilience and Knowledge Sharing (SPARKS) Programme, hosted by the Centre for Liveable Cities. The module focused on Climate Resilience and Urban Sustainability for the Pacific, offering lessons that are highly relevant for small island states adapting to a changing climate.Â
Building with Nature
One of the programme’s major highlights was its emphasis on nature-based solutions where Nature is Infrastructure. Building with nature compared to hard structure protection can enhance long-term protection, biodiversity and revitalisation. Singapore used examples of enhanced coastal resilience by working with ecosystems—mangroves, dunes, and coral reefs—as natural infrastructure.
This approach has clear potential for the Cook Islands. For example, reef-based Coastal Protection Units (CPUs) could simultaneously reduce coastal erosion and promote coral regrowth aligning with cultural and environmental values.
Future-Focused Planning
A key theme throughout the programme was the importance of planning with the long term benefits in mind—not only to address today’s climate risks but to secure the wellbeing of future generations. Singapore’s integrated approach to infrastructure, land use, and environmental planning reinforced the value of proactive, forward-thinking development.
For the Cook Islands, this highlights the need to embed resilience into every stage of planning, with a particular focus on education and human resource development. Investing in our own people—through upskilling, education, and institutional capacity-building—is essential to encourage national self-reliance, ensure long-term sustainability, and create locally driven, culturally relevant solutions that benefit both people and the economy.Â
Resilience Starts with People
Beyond infrastructure, the programme underscored that resilience is ultimately people-driven. Inclusive planning, broad stakeholder consultation, and strong community ownership were identified as key success factors in Singapore’s model.
This message resonates strongly in the Cook Islands context, where tight-knit communities are among our greatest strengths. Enhancing public understanding and participation through school-based education and community outreach, is crucial to building a culture of resilience.
The importance of collaboration and coordination across all sectors—government, NGOs, traditional leaders, the private sector, and the public—was repeatedly highlighted. Resilience cannot be achieved in silos; it requires a shared vision and collective action.
Singapore provided proof that integrated, inclusive, and forward-thinking strategies are both achievable and effective. With strong community foundations and growing technical expertise, the Cook Islands can be well-positioned to turn these insights into action. Module 3 is expected to occur in 2026 to provide supplementary topics to complement action plans created in Module 2.
