In response to the increasing frequency and severity of health emergencies and natural hazards like tropical cyclones becoming more frequent and severe, the Cook Islands is taking proactive measures to safeguard its population by organising a workshop aimed at bolstering the nation’s health security.

The three-day workshop held from 18-20 February 2025 was based on the Strategic Toolkit for Assessing Risks, led by the Cook Islands Te Marae Ora (Ministry of Health) with technical support from the World Health Organization (WHO) and financial support from the Gates Foundation and the Government of Japan.

The workshop’s objectives included evaluating the country’s public health risks, developing a national risk profile, identifying gaps in workforce capacities, reviewing multi-hazard preparedness plans and strengthening cross-sectoral coordination.

“The future is not promised. We want the Cook Islands to be more prepared because we do not know when there will be another global health emergency. These potential public health risks to Cook Islands threaten not just Rarotonga but also the Pa Enua (outer islands),” said Bob Williams, Secretary of Health, during a speech at the workshop.

He further thanked the participants for their engagement and explained that the assessment from the workshop will be instrumental in developing and reviewing health plans.

The strategic toolkit for assessing risks (STAR) is a strategic assessment tool used to evaluate public health risks based on their scale, likelihood and potential health consequences. This approach not only identifies areas of improvement in the country’s International Health Regulations (IHR) core capacities but will also inform the development of contingency plans and multi-hazard preparedness and response strategies.

The tool also enables countries to prioritise actions to strengthen emergency workforce capabilities in line with the vision of WHO’s Global Health Emergency Corps Initiative (GHEC).

A national risk profile is being developed and finalised following the workshop to serve as a foundational document for the Cook Islands’ health security plans initiatives. This will guide the country in prioritising public health risks and planning effective responses to potential emergencies. The Cook Islands already has a National Pandemic Preparedness Plan published in 2024, which will be further strengthened by the insights gained from this workshop.

The workshop was organised with a multisectoral approach, involving participants from various government ministries, officials from the outer islands and civil society organisations in the Cook Islands. This inclusive strategy ensured the inclusion of a diverse range of voices and expertise, fostering collaboration across partners and sectors.

Dr Nuha Mahmoud, acting head of the WHO Office in Samoa, American Samoa, Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau, emphasised the significance of this initiative and praised the Cook Islands for their proactive, multisectoral approach to health security.

“The Cook Islands’ ongoing commitment to improving their health security is commendable. By bringing multiple sectors together to identify and prioritise public health risks, we can better prepare for and respond to health emergencies and ensure the safety and well-being of our people and communities,” said Dr Mahmoud.

After the STAR Workshop, the Cook Islands will undergo its first voluntary Joint External Evaluation (JEE) in May 2025. The JEE will further assess the country’s capacities to prevent, detect and respond to public health threats.

The joint efforts of the Cook Islands Ministry of Health, national and local leaders, civil society and WHO highlight the significance of a coordinated approach to health security. By involving various sectors and leveraging partners, the Cook Islands is taking proactive measures to protect its population against future health emergencies.

- WHO