The Cook Islands is participating in the Third Session of the Preparatory Commission (PrepCom3) for the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), currently underway at United Nations Headquarters in New York from 23 March to 2 April 2026.
As a large ocean state with a longstanding commitment to ocean stewardship and multilateral cooperation, the Cook Islands is actively engaging in discussions that will shape the institutional framework of the Agreement ahead of its first Conference of the Parties (COP1) in January 2027.
This session focuses on critical elements required to operationalise the Agreement, including arrangements for the secretariat, the clearing-house mechanism, and subsidiary bodies that will support implementation.
Elizabeth Wright Koteka, newly appointed Foreign Affairs Secretary notes “This is a pivotal moment where the Agreement begins to move from text to implementation. The institutional choices countries make now will determine how effectively the system functions in practice and whether it delivers on the Agreement’s objectives. The Cook Islands has been present throughout the whole process and remains committed to supporting the Agreement’s implementation.”
During the Preparatory Commission, the Cook Islands is emphasising the importance of designing institutions that are inclusive, efficient, and accessible, particularly for Small Island Developing States (SIDS), whose economies, cultures, and livelihoods are deeply connected to the ocean. For SIDS, meaningful participation in these discussions is essential. Ensuring that the system reflects diverse realities from the outset will strengthen its legitimacy and long-term effectiveness.
Viv Fernandes, representative of the Ministry of Marine Resources, part of the Cook Islands delegation on the ground, added:
“As we design and implement the BBNJ system’s governance framework, it is essential that it respects and interacts with existing regional and global ocean governance frameworks. The Cook Islands continues to invest in, and lead within, these processes, for example within a range of regional fisheries bodies with mandates over the high seas. By ensuring strong linkages, we can draw on established scientific and technical expertise and deliver more effective and efficient BBNJ implementation.”
“In practice, many of the Agreement’s implementation and monitoring obligations will rely on existing fisheries monitoring frameworks developed by regional fisheries bodies. Recognising and utilising these systems will be critical to ensuring that the BBNJ is effective and grounded in operational realities.”
The delegation is also advocating for a balanced institutional model that enables the BBNJ secretariat to operate efficiently while maintaining the autonomy required to serve Parties effectively.
In parallel, back home, the Cook Islands is currently undertaking a legislative review aimed at scoping and assessing the requirements to support national ratification of the BBNJ Agreement through the Marae Moana framework. By aligning ratification with existing national ocean governance structures, the country is ensuring that international commitments are embedded within domestic policy and management systems, strengthening coherence between global obligations and local implementation.
A representative from National Environment Services, Tekura Moeka’a, also part of the Cook Islands delegation, noted “Advancing ratification of the BBNJ Agreement through Marae Moana reflects our commitment to integrated ocean management. It ensures that our international obligations are not treated in isolation, but are grounded in the same holistic, ecosystem-based approach that guides our stewardship of our entire ocean territory.”
During the negotiations in New York and in the lead-up to COP1, the Cook Islands will continue working closely with Pacific neighbors through Pacific SIDS and other SIDS through AOSIS to ensure the BBNJ Agreement delivers on its promise to conserve and sustainably use marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction for present and future generations.
