Thirty four stakeholders gathered at Crown Beach and online for the Inception Workshop of the GEF-8 Reducing Single-use Plastics on Small-island Economies (RESPONSE) Project, February 18th 2026.
Conducted by the National Environment Service (NES), the inception workshop focused on stakeholder engagement, project’s objectives, strategies, results framework, and national implementation arrangements, while contributing perspectives on priorities and circular economy in the tourism sectors and food & beverage industry.
The RESPONSE Project, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), aims to reduce plastics entering the Cook Islands, with a strong focus on the food and beverage (F&B) and tourism sectors. The project supports circular economy approaches designed to reduce waste, minimize pollution, and alleviate pressure on national waste management systems.
RESPONSE forms part of the GEF Global Child Project REBOOT, of the fifteen participating countries, the Cook Islands is the only Pacific Islands nation involved.
NES serves as the National Executing Agency (NEA), delivering project activities under the guidance of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) as the Implementing Agency.
Siana Whatarau, RESPONSE Project Coordinator and Senior Partnerships Coordinator at NES, highlighted the importance of inclusive collaboration.
“Reducing single-use plastics requires strong partnerships and shared ownership. This workshop enables stakeholders to align expectations, strengthen coordination, and ensure RESPONSE activities are relevant to national priorities,” said Whatarau.
Hayley Weeks, Manager of Environmental Partnerships at NES, emphasized the integrated design of the project.
“The RESPONSE Project is structured around five complementary components that address plastics from policy and regulation, alternative products, private sector and community engagement, improved national data, and knowledge management and communications. Together, these components create a balanced approach that supports systemic, long-term change,” said Weeks.
Weeks added that the project’s success will depend on cooperation across sectors.
“Government, businesses, and communities each have a role to play. RESPONSE provides the framework and resources to help stakeholders transition toward practical circular solutions that protect our environment and support sustainable development,” she said.
The RESPONSE Project includes five project components, 1) Enabling a Regulatory and Policy Environment, 2) Identifying Suitable Alternative Products, 3) Engagement with the F&B Private Sector and Communities, 4) Improving National Data and 5) Capacities and Knowledge Management and Communications.
NES acknowledged the strong participation and constructive engagement from stakeholders and reaffirmed its commitment to working collaboratively to reduce plastic pollution across the Cook Islands.
