Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has concluded the country's participation in the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Koror, Palau, with major commitments for the upgrade of Penrhyn's port and new investment in ocean conservation.
The Cook Islands secured significant support for two key national priorities during the week-long regional engagement, with the United States and New Zealand announcing intended contributions toward upgrading a safe and reliable port on Penrhyn (Tongareva), while new investment was also announced for Marae Moana, the country's Sacred Ocean.
The United States, through its Department of State, intends to contribute US$50 million, approximately NZ$84 million, toward the Penrhyn port upgrade, while New Zealand has committed NZ$17.5 million, approximately US$10 million. The project will be delivered in partnership with the Cook Islands.
The country also secured new investment in Marae Moana through a partnership involving the Bezos Earth Fund and BirdLife International.
“Everything we carried to this Forum, we carried on behalf of our people,” Brown said. “From a lifeline port for Tongareva to lasting protection for our ocean, this has been a week of turning long-held priorities into action, on our own terms, and for our own future.”
Regional and bilateral engagement
The Forum followed the Prime Minister's participation in the inaugural Realm Leaders' Meeting in Auckland alongside the leaders of New Zealand, Niue and Tokelau.
In Koror, Brown held bilateral discussions with a range of regional and international partners.
His meeting with New Zealand included discussions on progress with the Penrhyn project and New Zealand's hosting of the Pacific Islands Forum in 2027. Discussions with China focused on preparations for 30 years of diplomatic relations in 2027 and opportunities to deepen practical cooperation in technology, machinery and equipment and capacity building.
Brown also met with Tonga, Japan, Singapore, Spain and Canada.
The Japan discussions marked 15 years of diplomatic relations and covered cooperation including the new inter-island vessel and grassroots funding for Cook Islands communities. Discussions with the Nippon Foundation focused on ocean stewardship and opportunities for young Cook Islanders.
With Singapore, the Prime Minister reaffirmed the relationship between the two countries, with discussions focused on economic resilience, energy security and the transition to renewable energy.
Meetings with Spain and Canada addressed opportunities to deepen bilateral cooperation, while discussions with the Green Climate Fund explored further financing opportunities to strengthen the Cook Islands' resilience.
Push for Pacific-led resilience financing
The Cook Islands also participated in meetings of the Smaller Island States, the Polynesian Leaders Group, and the Pacific ACP grouping, as well as an Ocean Partnership Roundtable hosted by Palau.
Brown was also a leading advocate for the Pacific Resilience Facility, described by the Cook Islands government as the Pacific's first collectively owned international financial institution. The facility is now established in the Kingdom of Tonga.
“The Pacific Resilience Facility is a fund by the Pacific, for the Pacific,” Brown said. “I have been part of this journey from the very beginning, and to see it now delivering in our communities is a proud moment for our whole region.”
At the Leaders' Retreat, Forum leaders agreed on a framework governing how the Pacific engages with external partners, reinforcing a transparent, accountable and Pacific-led approach to partnerships in support of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.
The outcomes are reflected in the 2026 Pacific Islands Forum Communiqué.
Brown thanked Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr and the people of Palau for their hospitality and reaffirmed the Cook Islands' commitment to a united, resilient and self-determining Blue Pacific.
