The Cook Islands participated at the Asia-Pacific Ocean Week 2026, held from October 26 to 30, 2026. Convened by the ESCAP Secretariat at the UN Conference Centre in Bangkok, Thailand. The conference brought together regional leaders, diplomats, scientists, and civil society to advance Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14) and regional ocean governance, from across the Asia – Pacific Region.
The five-day gathering focused on critical ocean challenges across five core themes: ocean-based climate action, implementing Regenerative Blue Economy principles, enforcing the BBNJ (High Seas) Agreement, scaling Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), ending ocean plastic pollution, and scaling 30×30 marine conservation networks and maritime law enforcement.
Ms. Roselyn Strickland, Senior Legal Officer from the Cook Islands National Environment Services, participated in the Conference and also participated as a member of the discussion Panel to share perspective relating to the BBNJ Agreement and around maritime illicit activities in the ABNJ. The conference provided opportunity for regional stakeholder engagements to address transboundary ocean governance and sustainable marine resource management, with a strong emphasis on supporting Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and coastal communities. Other discussions highlighted innovative technologies—such as satellite monitoring and AI—to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, alongside equitable frameworks like the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM).
“Translating global ocean diplomacy into concrete regional action is essential for protecting marine ecosystems and fostering sustainable livelihoods across Asia and the Pacific,” stated Ms. Strickland.
The event concluded with a strong commitment to regional collaboration ahead of the 2028 UN Ocean Conference in Busan, consolidating findings into actionable frameworks for climate resilience, ocean enforcement, and marine protection.
