Press Releases | Cook Islands Environmental Bulletin

2023, our 30th Anniversary, a year of recommitment to our vision and journey towards Pacific sustainability, resilience and wellbeing through safeguarding our island culture and heritage

Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) · January 31, 2023

By Mr Sefanaia Nawadra, Director General, Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) I am excited for 2023 as our 30th anniversary and as the winds of political change sweep through our region in recent months – Australia,...

Why the One Pacific Voice matters in global effort to end plastic pollution, as we look towards INC2 in Paris

Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) · February 10, 2023

Anthony Talouli Director of Waste Management and Pollution Control, SPREP It’s ironic. Although there is a common global understanding about the adverse impact of plastic pollution on human health, the economy, and the environment, it would be...

Wallis & Futuna Pledges to Support Sustainable Tourism in the Pacific Region

Pacific Tourism Organisation · March 28, 2023

Wallis & Futuna affirmed its commitment to regional sustainable tourism through the endorsement of the Pacific Leader’s Sustainable Tourism Commitment (SOC) in Nadi late last week. As the 15th signatory, Wallis and Futuna has joined the Federated...

At Ocean Conference, Vanuatu rallies support for Advisory Opinion on implications of climate crisis

Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) · January 21, 2023

“We reach out the hand of friendship to all those who may wish to join us in taking a holistic, integrated approach to protecting human rights from climate change impacts as well as the survival of our oceans.” 30 June 2022, Lisbon Portugal, UNOC...

COVID pandemic compounds climate and Ocean challenges, Nauru reminds

Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) · January 21, 2023

30 June 2022, Lisbon Portugal, UNOC2022 - The impacts of the climate crisis on Pacific Island countries have been further compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic, Nauru has reminded the international community. A COVID wave in Nauru has prevented a...

NTO Update – Kiribati commits to sustainable tourism development

Pacific Tourism Organisation · March 12, 2023

In October 2022, Kiribati affirmed its commitment to being part of the regional sustainable tourism cohesion as it signed the Pacific Leader’s Sustainable Tourism Commitment. Kiribati joined 14 Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) members in...

Fiji affirms Commitment to Improving Regional Sustainable Tourism

Pacific Tourism Organisation · December 14, 2022

Fiji affirmed its commitment to being part of the regional sustainable tourism cohesion as it signed the Pacific Leader’s Sustainable Tourism Commitment in Suva this week. Fiji becomes the 14th Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) member to...

Tourism Panel For Climate Change Announces Inclusion Of Important Pacific Voice

Pacific Tourism Organisation · November 16, 2022

The Pacific Tourism Organisation congratulated Massey University and SPTO Pacific Islands Tourism Research Symposium (PITRS) chair Dr. Apisalome Movono on his appointment as a Lead Expert on the Tourism Panel for Climate Change (TPCC), launched on...

Regional Air Connectivity and Sustainable Tourism Development Highlighted by the SPTO Council of Tourism Ministers

Pacific Tourism Organisation · November 9, 2022

The Thirty first meeting of the Council of Ministers of Tourism convened this morning, at the Edgewater Resort and Spa in the Cook Islands. In his opening address Council Chairman Hon. Tingika Elikana (Associate Minister for Tourism for the Cook...

2022 Pacific Sustainable Tourism Leadership Summit

Pacific Tourism Organisation · October 26, 2022

Home 2022 Pacific Sustainable Tourism Leadership Summit The stage is set for the Pacific Tourism Organisation’s (SPTO) inaugural “Pacific Sustainable Tourism Leaders’ Summit” on November 2 in the Cook Islands. With the theme ‘Partnering for a...

Pacific Tourism Organisation Hosts 2022 Inaugural Pacific Sustainable Tourism Leadership Summit

Pacific Tourism Organisation · October 26, 2022

Home Pacific Tourism Organisation Hosts 2022 Inaugural Pacific Sustainable Tourism Leadership Summit The Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) will host the inaugural Pacific Sustainable Tourism Leadership Summit (PSTLS) on November 2nd in the Cook...

Pacific Sustainable Tourism Leadership Summit Calls on Pacific Leaders to Work Together to Build Resilient Futures

Pacific Tourism Organisation · November 9, 2022

The Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) hosted its Sustainable Tourism Leaders Summit (PSTLS) under the theme of ‘Partnering for a resilient, prosperous, and inclusive Pacific through sustainable tourism”. Convened at the Edgewater Resort & Spa in...

MEDIA RELEASE: Samoa Climate Finance Workshop Eyes Private Sector Opportunities

Government of Samoa · October 25, 2022

Wednesday 19 October 2022, Suva, Fiji/Apia, Samoa – Private sector partnerships on climate resilience have gained momentum after Samoa’s Polynesia Sub-Regional Private Sector Workshop. The 27-29 September workshop focused on improving private...

MEDIA RELEASE: Signing of the Pacific UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2023-2027

Government of Samoa · October 11, 2022

SAMOA, October 11 - October 11, 2022 Since August 2021, United Nations (UN) teams across the Pacific have worked closely with Pacific governments, civil society, development partners, and the Council of Regional Organizations of the Pacific...

KEYNOTE ADDRESS DELIVERED BY HON. FALEOMAVAEGA TITIMAEA TAFUA, ASSOCIATE MINISTER OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT AT THE SECOND ANNUAL INTRA-CLIMATE SERVICES AND RELATED APPLICATIONS (CLIMSA) FORUM

Government of Samoa · September 26, 2022

SAMOA, September 26 - Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentelmen, It is my honor to address this Second annual Intra-Climate Services and Related Applications (ClimSA) forum on behalf of the Government of Samoa and would like to...

PRESS RELEASE: Pacific island funds work together for sustainable investment ;

Government of Samoa · October 6, 2022

SAMOA, October 6 - https://www.pacificinvestmentforum.com/ Auckland, 5th October 2022 The Sovereign Wealth, Trust, Provident, and Superannuation Funds of the Pacific Islands Investment Form (PIIF) met in Auckland last week hosted by the NZ...

Visitor Industry Grows Again in April 2025

State of Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism · May 29, 2025

Posted on May 29, 2025 in News For Immediate Release: May 29, 2025 HONOLULU—According to preliminary statistics from the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT), total visitor arrivals and total visitor spending in April...

WHO Director-General Dr Tedros appoints Cook Islands’ Elizabeth Iro as WHO’s Chief Nursing Officer

World Health Organization · October 12, 2017

12 October 2017 | BRISBANE - Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus today appointed Ms Elizabeth Iro as the Chief Nursing Officer at WHO. Ms Iro is a registered nurse, and the Cook Islands’ current Secretary of Health. With this...

New Caledonia scoops 2024 Pacific Invasive Species Battler of the Year Award

Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) · August 28, 2024

15 August 2024, Rarotonga, Cook Islands - Mr. Patrick Barrière, Coordinator of the Threats Unit at the New Caledonian Biodiversity Agency (ANCB), has been honoured as the 2024 Pacific Invasive Species Battler of the Year. This accolade was...

Pacific Invasive Species Battlers Embrace GEDSI and Traditional Knowledge

Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) · August 25, 2024

14 August 2024, Rarotonga, Cook Islands - Regional participants attending the sixth Pacific Invasive Learning Network (PILN) meeting reaffirmed the importance of applying Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) and traditional...