A Deep-Sea Milestone: Cook Islands and China Partner on Sustainable Seabed Resource Development

The Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) has entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for Blue Partnership in the Field of Seabed Minerals Affairs with the Ministry of Natural Resources of the People’s Republic of China, reinforcing a shared commitment to marine cooperation, sustainable resource management, and advancing deep-sea research.

Media Release, Press ReleaseDede Mingi21 February 2025Seabed Minerals, Cook Islands SBMA, Blue Partnership, Seabed Minerals Governance, Deep Sea Research, Sustainable Oceans, Marine Cooperation, Environmental Stewardship, Capacity Building, Technology Transfer, Scientific Collaboration, Blue Economy, Sustainable Development

Cook Islands Prime Minister to Engage New Zealand Diaspora on Cultural Pride and Sustainable Development

The Cook Islands Government, led by Prime Minister Honourable Mark Brown, is set to engage with Cook Islands communities across New Zealand from November 18 to 22 in a week-long Diaspora Consultation. These consultations, organised by the Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA), the Office of the Prime Minister, and the Cook Islands New Zealand High Commission, with the aim to update the diaspora on important national developments, including progress in the seabed minerals sector and the Cook Islands’ upcoming 60th anniversary of self-governance in 2025.

Joint ReleaseDede Mingi14 November 2024Cook Islands, New Zealand, Consultations, Prime Minister Mark Brown, Seabed Minerals, Sustainable Development, Diaspora Engagement, Cook Islands 60th Anniversary, Community Consultations, Environmental Stewardship, Cultural Pride, Pacific Sustainability, Cook Islands Heritage, Empowering Our People, Cook Islands Global Community, Seabed Minerals Authority, Strengthening Our Future

Seabed Minerals Exploration Updates

We are committed to sustainably and responsibly developing our seabed minerals (SBM) sector for the benefit of our Cook Islands people. In line with the precautionary approach, any future decision on whether or not we will allow minerals harvesting to occur must be science based.

Media ReleaseDede Mingi2 November 2024Seabed Minerals, Cook Islands, Sustainable Development, Ocean Conservation, Marine Protection, Environmental Stewardship, Clean Energy, Marae Moana, Responsible Mining, Exploration, Deep Sea Research, Future Generations, Economic Diversification, Science Based, Community Engagement, Knowledge Advancement, SBM

Thomas Tarurongo Wynne: The deeper debate on deep-sea mining

Some say there is not enough evidence or data so stop, and some say well, it is from God so we must proceed, writes Thomas Tarurongo Wynne.

CI NEWSDede Mingi28 September 2024Deep Sea Mining, Environmental Stewardship, Sustainable Development, Pacific Nations, Climate Change, Energy Transition, Scientific Data, Economic Equity, Trust In Leadership, Ocean Conservation, Precautionary Approach

Letter: SBMA ‘losing control’

I would like to speak as an environmentally concerned Cook Islander, hearing concerns raised by Dr Teina Rongo on Temu Okotai’s radio show yesterday morning (Monday).

I felt that our local Seabed Mining Authority is losing control of the situation.

They emphasised the unknown and confirmed life in the deep ocean, but I got the impression that they await more and more advantage findings.

Letter to the editorDede Mingi18 September 2024Protect Our Oceans, Seabed Mining Concerns, Cook Islands Voices, Environmental Stewardship, Ocean Conservation, Local Scientist First, Sustainable Oceans, Deep Sea Protection, Scientific Intergrity

PM declares seabed minerals ambition

Cook Islands wants to be the country that is at the forefront of the seabed minerals sector, declared Prime Minister Mark Brown.

Cook Islands hosts world’s largest marine minerals gathering

Over 100 stakeholders and marine minerals experts from all across the globe have gathered for the International Underwater Minerals Conference (UMC) 2024 in Rarotonga this week.

The four-day conference, which began in 1970, will be held from Monday to Thursday this week at the National Auditorium, gathering marine minerals experts from over 25 countries.

UMC is the world’s largest gathering of ocean mineral stakeholders, including government, academic, and commercial sector professionals.

Letter: Nodules: ‘Our underwater Amazon’

I thank Ms Alex (Herman) for her reply to my previous letter regarding DSM (Deep Sea Mining) or SBM (Sea Bed Mining) which is what some are hoping to do in our EEZ.

PM Brown urges Pacific unity on deep-sea mining

Cook Islands Prime Minister and former chair of the Forum, Mark Brown is urging Pacific Island leaders to come together on a collective stance on deep-sea mining, ahead of a key talanoa session set for next month.

News & Press Releases