The Cook Islands recently joined representatives from 12 Pacific countries, 13 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in Brisbane, Australia, from 13-14 August for the 5th Pacific Islands Roundtable on International Humanitarian Law (IHL).
The Roundtable was co-hosted by the Government of Australia and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and provided an opportunity for Pacific countries to exchange experiences on the implementation of IHL, treaty participation, National IHL Committees and contemporary issues arising in armed conflict and other situations of violence. Discussions also considered how Pacific perspectives can contribute to global efforts to strengthen respect for IHL.
The Cook Islands was represented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFAI) Foreign Service Officer, Ms Peka Fisher, Cook Islands Red Cross Society Secretary-General Ms Fine Tuitupou, and Project Officer Mr Matthew Duffus.
Since the 4th Pacific Islands Roundtable in 2024 Kiribati acceded to the Biological Weapons Convention, the Marshall Islands and Tonga acceded to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, the Solomon Islands and Tonga joined the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons and Vanuatu acceded to the Convention on Cluster Munitions. These developments highlighted that treaty accession is only one part of implementation, with further work required to reflect international obligations in domestic legislation, policy and practice.
The Cook Islands is party to the four Geneva Conventions and their three Additional Protocols, as well as several treaties addressing weapons and the conduct of armed conflict. The discussions highlighted that meeting these obligations requires not only participation in the relevant treaties, but also ongoing work to ensure that those commitments are reflected in domestic legislation, policy and practice. The discussions on treaty implementation, as well as relevant humanitarian treaties, declarations and conventions to which the Cook Islands is not yet party, were helpful in identifying areas for further consideration and the work that may be required to progress future treaty participation.
A key area of focus was the Cook Islands National IHL Committee, which was established in 2011 to bring together relevant government agencies and organisations to support the implementation and promotion of IHL. The Cook Islands is one of seven Pacific countries with an established National IHL Committee or similar body. While the Committee has been inactive in recent years, MFAI is working with the Cook Islands Red Cross Society to revive the Committee and strengthen national coordination on IHL.
Discussions also considered contemporary issues including the protection of the natural environment during armed conflict, humanitarian issues in the maritime domain and the use of AI and new technologies in armed conflict. These issues are of particular relevance to Pacific countries given the region’s reliance on the ocean, maritime infrastructure and shipping for access to essential goods and services. The Roundtable also considered opportunities for greater Pacific engagement in global initiatives, including the Global Initiative to Galvanize Political Commitment to IHL and the Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel.
"International Humanitarian Law may be global in its reach, but its strength ultimately depends on what we do at the national level. For the Pacific, it is important that our voices and realities are part of global discussions, while at home we continue turning international commitments into legislation, policy and practice. The Cook Islands Red Cross Society stands ready to support Government in this work, including through the revitalisation of our National IHL Committee and greater awareness of IHL across our communities. As part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, we can also help connect our national efforts with regional and global humanitarian action," said Tuitupou.
The Cook Islands will continue to engage with Pacific partners on these issues, recognising the value of regional cooperation in strengthening respect for IHL and ensuring that Pacific perspectives are reflected in wider international discussions.