Cook Islands is standing firm with its family of over 35 Small Islands Developing States in Antigua and Barbuda at the Fourth International Conference on SIDS, charting a course towards resilient prosperity.

Held every 10 years, the International SIDS Conference develops a blueprint to be implemented with partners to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. In 2014, it was hosted by Samoa, ten years later in 2024 over 3000 delegates are hosted by Antigua and Barbuda.

Cook Islands is one of the smallest and most remote countries in the world challenged by the constraints of a small population, narrow economic base and high vulnerability to the impacts of climate change.

In a statement, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration said: “The special circumstances of Small Islands Developing States for sustainable development grows in priority as the threats from climate change continue to grow and loom.  The special recognition of SIDS is a long standing one based on the challenges we face with our small size and economies, remote locations far from international markets, and vulnerability to external shocks.”

As current chair of the Pacific Islands Leaders Forum, Prime Minister Mark Brown has joined other SIDS leaders in Antigua and Barbuda to amplify our Cook Islands concerns, a key one being the need for urgent access to climate finance. 

Brown is presenting at a number of special events, participating in bilateral meetings with global partners, as well as presenting a high-level statement on behalf of the Cook Islands.

• MFAI