A multi-agency Cook Islands delegation participated in the International Maritime Organization (IMO) SMART-C Leadership Programme: Regional Workshop on the Implementation of IMO Instruments.

The workshop, held from November 12–14 at the Novotel Hotel in Nadi, Fiji, was aimed at strengthening maritime governance and enhancing technical capacity in the Pacific.

Representing the Cook Islands were foreign service officer Tatryanna Utanga (Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration), Amy Ngatamaine (Ministry of Transport), David Greig (Crown Law Office), and Paula Manarangi and Paulo Favilli (Maritime Cook Islands). According to MFAI, this collaborative effort reflects the unified approach of the government and private sector in advancing maritime responsibilities and compliance.

The SMART-C Leaders Project, a collaboration between the IMO, the Republic of Korea, and the Pacific Community (SPC), equips participants with tools and knowledge to address corrective actions identified in the IMO Member State Audit Scheme (IMSAS). The workshop focused on enhancing national capacities in ship inspection, port state control, and flag state inspection, ensuring alignment with IMO reporting guidelines.

With the next IMSAS audit scheduled for September 29 to October 6, 2025, this training represented a critical step in the Cook Islands’ preparations to maintain its compliance with international maritime standards, MFAI said.

“The Cook Islands, as a maritime nation, has consistently demonstrated its commitment to upholding IMO conventions, which underpin safety, security, and environmental protection in the global shipping industry.”

Adding to the nation’s maritime achievements, Captain Ian Finley, permanent representative to the IMO, has received the International Maritime Prize 2023, a prestigious recognition of his three decades of service to the IMO and his advocacy for small island developing states (SIDS). The award is to be presented during a ceremony in London in early December.

Secretary of MFAI Tepaeru Herrmann remarked: “We recognise the gravity of our maritime obligations and will work assiduously to meet all requirements in a timely manner. This programme, which the team of multi-disciplinary experts has just completed, will contribute tremendously to the due diligence of the IMSAS report and to advancing our collective endeavour for future initiatives related to maritime governance and operations.”

The Cook Islands continues to align itself with international best practices in maritime governance, ensuring the sustainability and compliance of its maritime operations. This workshop served as a testament to the nation’s commitment to protecting its marine space, advancing its economic interests, and contributing to the global maritime community.

• MFAI