Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown recently stated that a meeting, termed a “talanoa,” is due to take place later this year. This involves a conversation with all Pacific Islands Forum member countries aimed at understanding and addressing concerns surrounding seabed activities. The discussion is also intended to address the interests of countries like the Cook Islands, who have a stake in seabed minerals.
Brown expressed hope that this talanoa would enable better comprehension of each country’s stance, ideally leading to a collective position. Such a position would consider member countries’ concerns around ocean protection, the need to enhance prosperity levels, especially post-Covid, and the role these countries could play in supplying critical metals for the green transition.
Henry Puna, the former Pacific Islands Forum secretary general, emphasized that each country has a sovereign right to their stance on this issue. He conveyed that even though there may be differing views within the Forum, such diverse opinions are respected. Regarding the Cook Islands, Puna stated that seabed minerals are exclusively within its EEZ, and thus, is not subject to jurisdiction by the seabed authority in Jamaica.
Puna reassured that mechanisms and frameworks have been put in place by the Cook Islands to safeguard the environment and ensure its sustainability and conservation.