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JOINT MEDIA RELEASE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND COOK ISLANDS HIGH COMMISSION
The Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) expect exports of Cook Islands pawpaws to New Zealand to commence within the first half of 2012.
An extensive pawpaw planting program supported by Cook Islands Government has been underway under the direction of the MoA for a number of months which is expected will culminate in the export of pawpaws to New Zealand as early as February or March 2012. The outstanding matter to facilitate pawpaw exports include completion of renovations to the facility housing the Heat Treatment Force Air (HTFA) at Rarotonga Airport and a commercial audit of the HTFA by New Zealand’s Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF). |
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7th Conference of the Pacific Community
Statement by Cook Islands Prime Minister the Hon. Henry Puna
Climate Change and Food Security – challenges and solutions in the Pacific Island countries and territories Salutations
In 2010, the Pacific Small Island Developing States five-year review of the Mauritius Strategy for Further Implementation of the Barbados Programme of Action for Sustainable Development of SIDS (MSI+5) found that since the Rio Meeting in 1992 our vulnerability has increased whilst our capacity to cope has not. This has been due in no small part to the additional pressures of climate change, climate variability and sea-level rise which have been compounded by the international fuel, food and financial crises. These new pressures have exacerbated those that were identified in 1992.
We share much in common. However, we each have our own particular challenges and opportunities, many of which stem from our largest shared resource, the Pacific Ocean. We have, are, and will continue forever to exist in a Blue World, the vast Pacific Ocean, which comprises over 95% of our sovereign territory and over which we have stewardship in the interest of the Global Commons.
Socially, the context of widespread small communities on generally small if not tiny islands provided, and still largely does provide, the basis for our traditional and cultural social fabric. The ocean feeds us (and a large part of the global community), it endangers us (cyclones, storm surges, and tsunamis), and underpins the many challenges we face (isolation from markets, high cost of imports and exports, cost of internal transport) and opportunities they have for economic development (tourism, fisheries, seabed minerals). |
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Monday 28 November l2011
Prime Minister, Hon Henry Puna, today reiterated the Cook Islands firm commitment to the Red Cross Movement and international humanitarian law that protects individuals in times of armed conflict.
Addressing the 31st International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in Geneva Switzerland he said it was important for all members of the international community, both big and small, to work together to support the Red Cross and promote respect for international humanitarian law. |
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 Friday 16 December 2011
In a simple yet meaningful ceremony held at the Embassy of the Philippines in Wellington on Monday, 12 December 2011, the Cook Islands and the Philippines formally established diplomatic relations through the signing of a Joint Communiqué by the Cook Islands High Commissioner H.E. Tekaotiki Matapo and Philippines Ambassador H.E. Virginia H. Benavidez for their respective governments.
The Cook Islands and the Philippines have always maintained friendly relations and have supported each other in many common issues affecting the two countries such as maritime safety and climate change. The establishment of diplomatic ties further cements this friendship and the two countries look forward to deepening the cooperation existing between them. The formal establishment of relations becomes even more relevant and timely as the Cook Islands will be hosting next year’s Pacific Islands Forum and the Philippines is a dialogue partner. This highlights the increasing interaction and connectivity of countries in the global arena.
The Cook Islands hosts a number of Filipino citizens in the professional and service sectors. “The Cook Islands looks forward to increased cooperation and collaboration with the Philippines in a range of areas, both bilaterally and multilaterally,” said High Commissioner Matapo. 
“Likewise, the Philippines will continue to build on the strong foundation of friendship and partnership with the Cook Islands in the political, economic, socio-cultural and people-to-people ties and to work hand-in-hand to fulfil our collective goal of peace, progress and prosperity in our part of the world,” Ambassador Benavidez stated.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by the Heads of Missions of the ASEAN and Pacific Island countries and senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of New Zealand.
The Ministry would like to acknowledge Mr Alan Raga of “My Photograph” for providing the photos.
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TO THE 31ST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE RED CROSS, GENEVA, 28 NOVEMBER 2011
May I begin by expressing my appreciation to the Swiss Government and the IFRC for the hospitality extended to me and my delegation since our arrival in Geneva.
We are also grateful to the ICRC for the assistance extended to the Cook Islands since our country became a member of this great Movement in 2003.
May I also say that my country is deeply honoured to have one of its own nationals, Ms Miki Rattle, to chair this most important Conference. |
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