The Cook Islands joined other Pacific Island nations at the Pacific Islands Regional Legal BBNJ Workshop, held from 28–30 January 2026 at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) in Suva, Fiji. The workshop was convened by the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (OPOC) and supported by a wide range of regional and international partners.
The Cook Islands delegation included Tekura Moeka‘a, Manager – Environmental Policy and Planning, National Environment Service (NES), and Peka Fisher, Foreign Service Officer, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI).
The workshop served as a practical training and information-sharing forum, recognising that Pacific Island countries are at different stages of ratification and implementation of the BBNJ Agreement. Discussions focused on understanding legal obligations, sharing national experiences, and identifying common challenges faced by Small Island Developing States (SIDS), including capacity constraints, coordination across agencies, and pressures associated with on-the-ground implementation.
The workshop explored treaty domestication processes, legislative and institutional requirements, and options for aligning BBNJ obligations with existing national and regional frameworks. The workshop also highlighted the importance of regional cooperation, early preparation ahead of ratification, and ensuring that Pacific priorities, equity considerations, and traditional knowledge are embedded in implementation pathways.
For the Cook Islands, the workshop provided valuable insights to inform the planned legislative review of the BBNJ Agreement, expected to commence this year. It also reinforced the importance of continued inter-agency coordination and engagement with regional partners
Tekura Moeka’a noted that “participating in this workshop strengthens the Cook Islands’ role as a large ocean state and supports ongoing efforts to ensure that national frameworks are well positioned to meet emerging global ocean governance obligations.”
