30 APRIL 2024

“You cannot manage what you cannot measure” said Prime Minister Mark Brown at the Ocean Decade Conference held in Barcelona, Spain from 10-12 April themed 'The science we need for the ocean we want'.

The Ocean Decade is a global initiative aimed at promoting international cooperation and collaboration in ocean science to achieve sustainable development, referred to as the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development and is set from 2021 to 2030.

As a large ocean state, the Cook Islands is committed towards supporting the Ocean Decade efforts, being one of the first to establish an EEZ-wide multi-use marine park in 2017, our Marae Moana.

In line with this, the Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) has been compiling multibeam survey data of the Cook Islands exclusive economic zone gathered from historical surveys, as well as more recent seabed exploration research, and contributing this to the Nippon Foundation-GEBCO Seabed 2030 Project.

The Ocean Decade Conference, co-organised by IOC/UNESCO, took stock of progress thus far and advocated for continued efforts towards sustainable ocean management for current and future generations.

The Cook Islands added its perspective to the discussions on how to effectively address the challenges of climate change resilience, protection of marine environment, capacity building and knowledge sharing, and international collaboration.

High-Level Opening

In his remarks at the High-Level Opening, Prime Minister Brown shared the importance of the Moana Nui o Kiva to Pacific peoples, and the commitment to living in harmony with our ocean as we have done for thousands of years. He also reaffirmed the Cook Islands science-based and evidence-driven approach emphasising that “we should be guided by science and knowledge, not fear.”

Pacific Centre of Excellence on Deep Ocean Science (PCEDOS)

Prime Minister Brown stressed the need for stronger partnerships and engagements within and beyond the Blue Pacific Continent stating, “the challenges that we face as a global community in addressing the decline of the state of the ocean system is a shared responsibility that must be tackled collectively.”

To this end, Prime Minister Brown highlighted a Regional Collective Action from last year’s Pacific Island Forum meeting, where Pacific Leaders committed to establishing a Pacific Centre of Excellence on Deep Ocean Science (PCEDOS).

PCEDOS exemplifies the Pacific’s collaborative spirit and dedication to advancing ocean science and stewardship. PCEDOS is currently in the process of a scoping study towards its establishment. The positive reception on this Pacific-led initiative thus far, particularly in supporting the Ocean Decade efforts, has been encouraging.

Pacific side-event

As the current PIF Chair, Prime Minister Brown was invited to give opening remarks in support of a side-event aimed at leveraging the benefits of the Ocean Decade for the Pacific, called “Towards a 100% integrated Blue Pacific management” and hosted by SPC and Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner. Prime Minister Brown advocated for greater ownership by the Pacific “of our ocean science [to] empower us to better protect and manage crucial ecosystems.”

Pacific family photo at side-event organised by the Pacific Community (**SPC**) and the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (**OPOC**)

ISA side-events

The Cook Islands, alongside the Governments of Argentina and Bangladesh and other partners, co-hosted a side event with the International Seabed Authority (ISA) on leveraging knowledge, innovation, and empowerment in deep-sea research.

In his opening remarks, Prime Minister Brown shared, “For us, data and knowledge is more valuable than the resource itself. This is because it is only with knowledge and understanding that we can make sound decisions to unlock our Blue Economy and improve our lives and those of our children. Knowledge empowers us all.” The side-event included panels of experts where Commissioner Herman also shared insights on the Cook Islands perspective regarding the enablers for unlocking data and building capacity.

SBMA participated in another side event focused on Women Empowerment and Gender Equality in the Ocean Science space. Browne delivered a presentation on the involvement of women in the Cook Islands SBM sector and advocated for more women to be involved at the decision-making level. Her contributions were well received, providing attendees with valuable insight into the Cook Islands journey thus far.

Cook Islands SBMA Scientist Rima Browne (left) and Commissioner Herman speaking at the ISA side-events

Bilateral meetings

During the Conference, Prime Minister Brown held bilateral meetings, including with the President of Seychelles H.E. Wavel Ramkalawan, Executive Secretary of IOC/UNESCO Vidar Helgesen, Pacific Ocean Commissioner Filimon Manoni, UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for the Ocean Peter Thomson, and State Secretary of Foreign Affairs for Norway Maria Varteressian.

“Overall, I am pleased with the Cook Islands contributions at the Ocean Decade conference to advocate for more ocean science and more data and knowledge to benefit our people, our Marae Moana and our Blue Pacific Continent” said Prime Minister Brown,

“We need to continue to add our Pacific voices to these global efforts. We are after all custodians of around 20% of the world's surface.”

Prime Minister Brown was supported by Seabed Minerals Commissioner Alex Herman and Senior Knowledge Management Officer Rima Browne from SBMA, and Nathalie Rossette-Cazel, Ambassador of the Cook Islands to UNESCO.

L-R: Prime Minister Hon. Mark Brown, Albert II Prince of Monaco, President Cabo Verde José Maria Pereira Neves

Cook Islands meeting with Office of the Pacific Oceans Commissioner (OPOC)

Cook Islands meeting with IOC-UNESCO Executive Secretary Vidar Helgesen

Cook Islands meeting with Norwegian delegation

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News & Press Releases

Joint OPM & SBMA Release: Cook Islands participate in UN Ocean Decade Conference