Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 18 March 2026 –The Cook Islands delegation participated in the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Pacific Expanded Constituency Workshop, held in Nadi, Fiji from 24 to 27 February 2026.
The workshop brought together Operational and Political Focal Points from 15 Pacific countries, alongside multilateral partners, convention focal points, regional organisations, and philanthropic actors. Discussions focused on sharing experiences, strengthening collaboration, and identifying strategic priorities for the upcoming GEF-9 programming cycle.
Key areas of focus included integrated environmental management, marine spatial planning, sustainable financing, strengthened regional coordination, and the preparation of national portfolios for future GEF support.
Updates were also provided on the Unlocking Blue Pacific Prosperity (UBPP) initiative, including progress under the Bezos Earth Fund Pacific Pledge. This work supports expanded marine protection, sustainable financing mechanisms, and improved ocean governance across the region. Presentations highlighted the importance of multi-partner approaches to accelerate implementation of the 30×30 global ocean protection goal, in line with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
The Cook Islands delegation was led by the National Environment Service (NES), the country’s Operational Focal Point for the GEF, with representation from relevant government agencies, including Ms Peka Fisher, Foreign Service Officer from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI). MFAI acts as the Political Focal Point for the GEF and works closely with NES. Its participation also supported broader government engagement with regional partners and reinforced the Cook Islands’ role in Pacific environmental initiatives.
Participation in the workshop provided opportunities to exchange technical knowledge, strengthen bilateral and regional networks, and deepen understanding of emerging GEF priorities ahead of the GEF 8th Assembly, scheduled for 30 May to 6 June 2026 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
The workshop reaffirmed the Cook Islands’ commitment to working collaboratively with Pacific partners and international agencies to promote sustainable development, conserve biodiversity, and build climate resilience across the region.
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