The Cook Islands Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, Ms. Elizabeth Wright‑Koteka, has paid her first official courtesy call on the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) in Suva this week, marking the beginning of her engagements with key regional institutions and partners.
Secretary Wright‑Koteka met with Forum Secretary General, Mr. Baron Waqa, for an introductory exchange reflecting on the Cook Islands’ long-standing partnership within the Forum family and its commitment to strengthening Pacific regionalism. She expressed her appreciation for the opportunity to contribute to the regional agenda in her new role, noting the enduring ties that unite Forum Members in collective purpose. “In today’s fast‑changing development landscape, where partnerships are constantly being redefined, regional unity through the Forum is essential,” said Secretary Wright-Koteka.
Following her courtesy call, Ms. Wright‑Koteka received a detailed briefing from Forum Deputy Secretary General, Mr. Esala Nayasi, and the Secretariat’s Senior Management Team. The discussions covered the regional priorities guiding this year’s Leaders’ agenda, institutional developments within the Secretariat, and current strategic issues, including the implications of international tensions, such as the ongoing Iran conflict, on Pacific security and stability.
During her visit, the Secretary also formally deposited the Cook Islands’ Instrument of Ratification for the Agreement to Establish the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF), signed by Forum Leaders in Honiara. The Cook Islands is now the sixth Forum Member to complete ratification. Under the PRF Treaty, eight ratifications are required to convene the inaugural PRF Council meeting, expected to take place during the Forum Economic Ministers Meeting (FEMM) in the Marshall Islands this June.
“The Pacific Resilience Facility is about investing in ourselves – in our communities, our infrastructure, and our future resilience,” said Secretary Wright‑Koteka. “Our Cabinet’s endorsement of this ratification demonstrates the Cook Islands’ confidence in a Pacific‑designed solution to strengthen preparedness and adaptive capacity across our region.”
Secretary Wright‑Koteka reaffirmed that the Cook Islands’ engagement in regional processes is focused on delivering clear value and results for Members. She underscored the importance of ensuring the Forum system provides practical benefits, particularly for the Smaller Island States (SIS) group, where dedicated and sustained delivery is critical. Looking ahead to the upcoming Forum Leaders Meeting in Palau, she noted that the Cook Islands remains committed to working constructively with Members and partners to advance priorities that strengthen capability, resilience, and stability across the Pacific.
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