Wednesday 19 March, Rarotonga - Cook Islands Foreign Secretary Ms. Tepaeru Herrmann met virtually with Ambassador Olivier Poivre d'Arvor, France’s Special Envoy for the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC 3) to discuss the Cook Islands’ potential participation in the conference, scheduled for June 9-13, 2025, in Nice, France.
The exchange provided an opportunity for the Cook Islands to better understand the outcomes being sought from UNOC 3 and to express its interest in participating, focusing on ensuring its national perspectives and priorities, alongside those of the broader Pacific region, are effectively represented at this global gathering. UNOC 3 is recognized as a platform to address ocean-related challenges and advance sustainable ocean management.
Secretary Herrmann noted, "The Cook Islands has a long and proud history of responsible and pioneering ocean stewardship, and we exist in a time where global collaboration is imperative to ensure the ongoing health of oceans. We look to the host countries, France and Costa Rica, to bring together leaders and decision-makers who have the courage and commitment to future generations that the conference needs to deliver meaningful, tangible outcomes."
The Cook Islands recognizes the importance of regional coordination in advancing shared ocean objectives. To this end, the Cook Islands delegation, led by Foreign Minister, Hon. Tingika Elikana, will participate in the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Ocean Ministers Meeting, to be held in Suva from April 10-11, 2025. The regional meeting, convened by the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (OPOC) and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, will facilitate regional dialogue on ocean issues towards preparations for UNOC3. The Cook Islands will collaborate with Pacific nations to develop a political declaration, strategic engagement plans, and voluntary national commitments to strengthen regional advocacy at UNOC 3. This coordinated approach seeks to ensure Pacific priorities, including the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement) and sustainable ocean resource management, are effectively represented at the global level.
The Cook Islands anticipates continued engagement with France and other partners to support its participation in UNOC 3 and contribute to global ocean sustainability efforts. The Cook Islands is committed to working with all partners to ensure Pacific perspectives and priorities are represented at UNOC 3 and that meaningful outcomes are achieved for the benefit of Pacific peoples and the international community.
For further inquiries related to this release, please contact: [email protected]