Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 22 May 2026 – The Cook Islands took part in the PACER Plus Budget Committee and Joint Committee Meetings held in Nuku’alofa, Tonga, from 18 to 22 May 2026, contributing to key discussions on the implementation of the Agreement and the future direction of cooperation under PACER Plus.
The Cook Islands delegation was led by Mr Jim Armistead, Director of the International and Trade Affairs Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI). The delegation also included Ms Charity Malaga, Trade Policy Advisor, Business Trade and Investment Board, and Ms Teremoana Fukofuka, Foreign Service Officer, International and Trade Affairs Division, MFAI.
For the Cook Islands, the meetings marked the culmination of several months of national and regional engagement under PACER Plus. This included in-country consultations with government agencies, participation in technical and subsidiary body meetings in Samoa, and ongoing coordination across Ministries to identify national trade and development priorities and implementation needs.
These engagements have helped shape several Cook Islands-led project proposals aimed at strengthening areas such as trade facilitation, customs processes, standards and biosecurity systems, private sector development, and broader economic resilience. Through PACER Plus, funding and technical support from Australia, New Zealand, and external partners helps translate regional cooperation into practical support and capacity building at the national level.
The meetings also gave the Cook Islands an opportunity to raise national priorities directly in regional discussions and contribute to ongoing conversations on how PACER Plus can continue responding to the needs and realities of Pacific countries, including small island states.
“The Cook Islands welcomes the practical and country-driven approach under PACER Plus, ensuring regional cooperation translates into tangible outcomes and support for our people. Through this work, we are continuing to strengthen the foundations of our trade landscape and build capability in areas important to our long-term economic development,” said Director Jim Armistead.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration acknowledges the continued collaboration of Government agencies and regional partners in advancing the Cook Islands’ engagement under PACER Plus and supporting the country’s broader trade and development priorities.
Implementation of the Cook Islands’ approved PACER Plus activities and projects under Phase II of the Development and Economic Cooperation (DEC) Work Programme is expected to commence from July 2026. The Cook Islands looks forward to sharing experiences with other Pacific countries at the next Joint Committee Meeting in 2027.