The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration’s (MFAI) participated in the Regional Workshop on the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), hosted by the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) in Sydney, Australia.

Representing the Cook Islands was MFAI National Security Advisor, Mackenzi Wichman, who joined technical and policy officials from UNODA and across the region for discussions aimed at strengthening understanding of the BWC and the obligations that fall on state parties to the Convention. 

Participation in the workshop is a step up in the Cook Islands bolstering of national security and multilateral engagement. As a state party to the BWC since 2008, the Cook Islands has had limited integration with the treaty but is now looking to participate more and enhance its contribution towards global disarmament efforts. This year marks 50 years of the BWC, which prohibits biological and toxic weapons, underscoring its significance in international security. 

MFAI’s attendance at the workshop reflects the Cook Islands renewed commitment to global disarmament efforts and contributing to global peace initiatives. Following this workshop, MFAI will follow through with domestic and regional agencies to support the compilation of the Cook Islands first annual Confidence Building Measures (CBM) Report. The CBM report is aimed at promoting transparency and trust among States Parties by documenting biological activities and compliance with treaty obligations. 

Ms Wichman noted that as a signatory to the BWC, the Cook Islands recognised the importance of upholding its commitments as a signatory and working collaboratively with multilateral partners and state signatories to the BWC. "Although the Cook Islands has not faced direct threats related to biological or chemical weapons, taking proactive measures and enhancing safeguards and awareness are essential to the ongoing security of the Cook Islands, and we look forward to working with UNODA and regional counterparts to complete the Cook Islands CBM report.” 

For enquires related to this release, please email: mfai.media@cookislands.gov.ck