Cook Islands has officially joined the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), underscoring its commitment to global nuclear safety and amplifying the Pacific voice on nuclear issues.

This milestone represents the Cook Islands' dedication to the peaceful use of nuclear science and technology, alongside the promotion of safety standards that protect people, the environment, and future generations.

Established in 1957, the IAEA remains the world’s foremost forum for scientific and technical cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear technology.

The Cook Islands’ decision to become a member reflects its commitment to the principles and purposes of the United Nations Charter, and it brings a unique perspective to the IAEA as a trusted regional partner.

Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, Tepaeru Herrmann, noted the importance of IAEA  membership emphasising the contribution of the Cook Islands in enhancing the representation of Pacific values and priorities in nuclear safety dialogues during its tenure as Pacific Islands Forum Chair,

“Among the regional priorities the Cook Islands sought to elevate during its year and a half tenure as Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum was supporting greater engagement by the Pacific with the IAEA so the Pacific is more directly influencing global nuclear safety standards,” said secretary Herrmann.

IAEA Director General Raphael Grossi visited the Cook Islands in July 2023 when he met with Prime Minister Mark Brown and Pacific Islands Forum leaders virtually to discuss IAEA and Pacific co-operation including the formalisation of annual talks between the Forum and the IAEA on Pacific nuclear priorities. 

Pacific advocacy supported an agreement between Japan and the IAEA for independent comprehensive and continuous safety review by the IAEA of the discharge of treated nuclear wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station in the forward decades.

The Cook Islands' commitment to nuclear safety aligns closely with its historical legacy. As the birthplace of the Rarotonga Treaty, which established the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone in 1985, the Cook Islands has long been a leader in regional nuclear non-proliferation. The Treaty, a major regional achievement, includes specific protections against the dumping of radioactive waste, a provision that resonates deeply within Pacific communities. By joining the IAEA, the Cook Islands aims to further these protections and address emerging nuclear-related challenges, adding another Pacific voice to the IAEA’s 178-member body.

Climate change, one of the most pressing challenges for the region, is an area where IAEA expertise can be instrumental. The agency’s assistance allows countries to use nuclear science to monitor and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, preserve ecosystems, and adapt to changing environmental realities. For the Cook Islands, this support provides tools to better safeguard our ocean, our environment and our people, in pursuit of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.

The Cook Islands joins IAEA founding members Australia and New Zealand as well as a number of Pacific Island neighbours, including the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Palau, Fiji and Samoa as active IAEA members, reinforcing the significance of Pacific voices in global nuclear safety efforts. This partnership reflects the Cook Islands’ vision for a secure and sustainable future and stands as a testament to its commitment to advancing environmental preservation and nuclear safety. -MFAI