Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 31 March 2026 – The Cook Islands has agreed to a new national plan with the United Nations that sets out how development support will be delivered across the country over the next three years, following the formal endorsement and signing of the Cook Islands Country Implementation Plan 2025–2027.
The Plan sets a clear direction for how international support is aligned with national priorities and delivered across key sectors. This approach reduces duplication, improves coordination across partners, and ensures support is directed where it is most needed.
Signed by the Prime Minister, Hon. Mark Brown, and United Nations Resident Coordinator, Ms Karla Hershey, the Plan marks the transition from planning to implementation, with a focus on delivering practical and measurable outcomes for the people of the Cook Islands.
Developed over more than two years of consultation across Government, the private sector and civil society, the Country Implementation Plan provides a structured and practical framework for how the United Nations system will work alongside the Cook Islands. It strengthens coordination across partners while ensuring that national priorities remain at the centre of decision-making and delivery.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration played a central role in coordinating engagement across Government and partners, supporting the development of a framework that strengthens national ownership and improves how international support is delivered,
Oversight of implementation will be guided by a Joint Steering Committee, which will monitor progress, support coordination, and ensure continued alignment with national priorities. The Committee will reconvene in September 2026 to review progress and next steps.
Acting Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, Ms Mackenzi Wichman, said the Plan represents a practical shift in how development support is delivered.
“For a country like ours, coordination matters. This Plan brings partners into one clear direction, reduces duplication, and ensures support is focused where it will have the greatest impact for our ipukarea. It is about making sure effort and resources are used properly and deliver tangible results.”
Following the endorsement, the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office convened a Common Country Analysis consultation workshop, bringing together Government, civil society, and private sector stakeholders to identify key development challenges and opportunities.
The Cook Islands Country Implementation Plan 2025–2027 reflects a shared commitment between the Cook Islands and the United Nations to deliver inclusive, resilient, and sustainable development, grounded in national priorities and supported through coordinated partnership.
For enquiries related to this release, please email: [email protected]