The Cook Islands National Environment Service (NES) proudly welcomed and hosted the GEF Asia-Pacific regional training workshop for Operational Focal Points (OFPs) on 13 & 14 May 2025 at the Edgewater Resort, Rarotonga. As part of the Global Environment Facility’s (GEF) continued support to its recipient countries, this event marks a major milestone for the country, bringing together OFPs from across the region to strengthen their capacity in environmental finance management and project oversight.
The focus is particularly on how these focal points can better access, monitor and evaluate support from the GEF.
Since becoming a GEF member in June 1994, the Cook Islands has benefited from more than 12 GEF-funded projects. NES currently serves as the Executing Agency for three major projects:
- GEF-7 Project ENUA, which focuses on reducing and mitigating negative environmental impacts of the key development sectors (agriculture, infrastructure, tourism), which are the main national drivers of biodiversity and habitat degradation, through mainstreaming integrated, sustainable management of land and coastal waters.
- GEF-8 Project RESPONSE, which aims to reduce the amount of plastics entering the Cook Islands via the food and beverage sector and to support enabling environments for reuse options and other circular solutions, with the intention of reducing the burden on the Cook Islands waste management system, as well as reducing pollution and harmful impacts of plastic.
- GEF Islands, which focuses on reducing the environmental and health risks in the Outer Islands (Pa Enua) by safely collecting, removing, and recycling electronic-waste, and bulky waste. This will reduce the environmental impact of hazardous materials and improve public health which prevents improper disposal and pollution in our Pa Enua.Â
NES warmly welcomed a number of high-level representatives. Distinguished guests included the Honourable Minister Tingika Elikana, Fiji’s Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Mosese Bulitavu, Ambassador Filipo Tarakinikini of Fiji, Lady Tuaine Marsters, GEF General Manager Mr. Peter Lallas, GEF Secretariat Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Coordinator Mrs. Asha Bobb-Semple, and Reverend Makara and his wife.
The official opening included remarks by NES Environmental Partnerships Manager Hayley Weeks, a video message from the GEF CEO Mr. Carlos Manuel Rodriguez, and formal opening remarks by Minister Elikana, who also presented a gift to Mr. Lallas on behalf of the Cook Islands.
The first day set a strong foundation with presentations and breakout sessions aimed at enhancing the roles and responsibilities of OFPs, tools to improve project oversight, and strengthening inclusive whole-of-government approaches to managing GEF-funded projects. Participants gained valuable tools to better manage and implement environmental initiatives across the region.
Day two entailed a visit to the Takitumu Conservation Area (TCA) to give the participants a firsthand look at the impact of GEF support through the GEF-5 Ridge to Reef project, as well as a preview of activities under GEF-7 Project ENUA.
We look forward to continued collaboration and progress throughout the week as meeting focus pivots to the GEF Pacific Constituency meetings over 15 -16 May, in preparation for the bi-annual GEF Council meeting to be held on 2-6 June in Washington, U.S.A. Meeting discussions will focus on the upcoming ninth replenishment of the GEF Trust Fund (GEF-9) considerations.
