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

All creatures great and small—life in the abyss

Life is everywhere. It is found in rocks deep beneath the surface of the earth, in a lake buried under the ice in Antarctica, and even in ponds of liquid tar-asphalt. So, although the physical environment-in the 5,000 m deep ocean floor is challenging, numerous species of organisms call it home.

SBMA Science ArticleDede Mingi26 October 2024Deep-Sea Life, Abyssal Plains, Marine Biodiversity, Seabed Minerals, Extreme Environments, Deep Ocean Ecosystems, Cook Islands Marine Life, Marine Adaptation, Environmental Management, Marae Moana Conservation, WISE Expedition 2024

Government sees seabed mining as economic game-changer

Cook Islands government has revealed that it sees greater economic potential in seabed mining, which has fuelled concerns from the Opposition.

The deep-sea mining for polymetallic nodules rich in cobalt, copper, nickel and manganese has the potential to transform the country’s earning to “much, much greater levels”, says Prime Minister Mark Brown.

CI NEWSDede Mingi10 October 2024Deep Sea Mining, Economic Potential, Polymetallic Nodules, Green Energy Transition, Cook Island Economy, Tourism Earning, Seabed Minerals, Government Vs Opposition, Environmental Concerns, Nauru Phosphate Mining

Cook Islands passes historic first law for minerals harvesting management

After four years of development and two rounds of public consultations, the Seabed Minerals (Minerals Harvesting and Other Mining) Regulations 2024 (MH Regulations) have now been passed.

The adoption of these regulations is a crucial step in establishing a comprehensive legal framework, providing all stakeholders with clarity and certainty regarding the Cook Islands' legal regime for seabed minerals governance, and are administered by the Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA).

Media ReleaseDede Mingi4 October 2024Cook Islands, Seabed Minerals, SBMA, Sustainable Development, Minerals Management, Marine Government, Environmental Regulations, Policy Development, Seabed Mining, Minerals Harvesting, International Best Practice, Legal Framework, Resource Management

Underwater Minerals Conference 2024: A Historic First in the Cook Islands

The Cook Islands recently hosted the 52nd Underwater Minerals Conference (UMC) from 15 to 21 September 2024, marking the first time this prestigious event took place in a small island state. Organised by the International Marine Minerals Society (IMMS) in partnership with the Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority, the conference was held at the Cook Islands National Auditorium, attracting experts, researchers, and industry leaders from around the world.

CI NEWSDede Mingi27 September 2024UMC 2024, Underwater Minerals Conference, Cook Islands First, Going Deep, Science For Informed Decisions, Seabed Minerals, Global Conversation, Sustainable Development, SBM Research, Environmental Focus, Ocean Conservation, Marine Science

Prime Minister welcomes At Sea, Sail Out Rally, rejects moratorium

Prime Minister Mark Brown has welcomed the At Sea,Sail Out Rally against deep-sea mining but has expressed reservations about the call for a moratorium on deep-sea activities.

The “peaceful rally” at sea and on land to call for a precautionary pause to deep sea mining is organised by Ocean Ancestors, a collective of individuals, NGOs, and businesses united by their shared passion for protecting the ocean. It will be held this afternoon, starting at 4pm, at the Avarua Harbour (Trader Jacks carpark).

CI NEWSDede Mingi18 September 2024Deep Sea Mining, Ocean Protection, Protect Our Oceans, At Sea Rally, Sail Out Rally, Ocean Ancestors, Cook Islands, Rarotonga, Marine Conservation, Moratorium Debate, Seabed Minerals, Peaceful Protest, Avarua Harbour

Seabed Minerals Exploration Programme Updates

We are committed to sustainably and responsibly developing our 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 harvesting to occur needs to be science based.

To achieve this, we need more data and information about the nature of our mineral resource and the marine environment so that we can better understand and address the potential environmental impacts and likely commercial viability. This understanding can only be obtained through exploration research work, which is why the Seabed Minerals Exploration Programme is important.

Media ReleaseDede Mingi18 September 2024Seabed Minerals, Exploration Programme, Cook Islands, Sustainable Development, Environmental Protection, Mana Tiaki, Marae Moana, Knowledge Advancement, Clean Energy Transition, Deep Sea Exploration, CSD, Precautionary Approach

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.

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