The Cook Islands joined representatives from across the Asia-Pacific region in Bangkok, Thailand from 9–11 June 2025 for the Regional Consultations of the Asia-Pacific Group (APG), in preparation for the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5.2) on the Global Plastics Treaty. Organised by the Government of Thailand and the INC Secretariat, the consultations aimed to build regional alignment and strengthen negotiation strategies ahead of the next negotiations in Nairobi.
Tekura Moeka’a from the National Environment Service represented the Cook Islands, contributing to breakout discussions on key articles of the draft treaty, including plastic product design (Article 3) and sustainable production (Article 6).
The Cook Islands also joined Pacific SIDS counterparts including Palau, Fiji, Tuvalu, and others to highlight regional priorities such as reducing plastic pollution across the full life cycle, supporting national-level implementation, and ensuring flexibility for countries with limited capacity. The meeting served as a valuable platform to discuss bridging proposals, identify landing zones, and prepare for the Heads of Delegation discussions.
These consultations reinforce the Cook Islands’ commitment to a strong and effective global agreement that addresses the root causes of plastic pollution. As the world moves closer to finalising the treaty, the Cook Islands will continue to advocate for ambitious outcomes that protect its ocean, people, and future.
The APG discussions provided some momentum as countries head to Nairobi for the next round of discussions, where the stakes for environmental sustainability remain high.
