Cook Islands is creating the Pacific’s first Ra’ui To’ora, a dynamic ocean protection zone for whales, within its Marae Moana marine park to safeguard the migratory corridors of the endangered Oceania humpback whale.

This was announced by Prime Minister Mark Brown in his national statement at the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, France, on Monday.

Brown, who had jetted to France from Australia after holding seabed mining consultations with the Cook Islands diaspora, affirmed the country’s leadership in ocean governance, innovation and regional cooperation at UNOC3.

In his statement, the Prime Minister said as a proud large ocean state, the Cook Islands brings a clear message – “let those who call the Ocean home be trusted to lead its protection”.

“The Ocean is not what separates our islands, it is what connects, defines, and sustains us. It is our border, our resource, our highway, and our sacred duty. Safeguarding its biodiversity and ecosystem services demands that we scale up science-based and innovative action for sustainable use and conservation,” Brown said.

“This year, the Cook Islands proudly marks 60 years of self-governance, six decades of acting in the best interests of our people and our ocean. In that time, we have shown what is possible, both as a nation and as part of a global community.”

Brown said in 2017, the Cook Islands established Marae Moana, the world’s first whole-of-EEZ multi-use marine park, “nearly two million square kilometres governed not by symbolic lines, but by an inclusive legal framework and a council of government, traditional leaders, civil society and industry”.

He announced that within Marae Moana, the Cook Islands wished to take another step forward with the creation of the Pacific’s first Ra’ui To’ora, a dynamic ocean protection zone for whales.

“For the first time, we can apply our traditional Ra’ui practice at ocean scale, to protect the migratory corridors of the endangered Oceania humpback whale,” Brown said.

“Spanning over 400,000 square kilometres, this zone will adapt with the seasons and respond to emerging threats. Its purpose is not only conservation, it is recovery.

“Ra’ui To’ora reflects a growing global truth: that traditional knowledge and science can work together to shape powerful solutions. With regional cooperation, this could become the foundation of the Pacific’s first transboundary whale corridor.”

To support this, Brown said the country is further exploring the establishment of the Institute of Blue Ocean Sustainability and Science – a national initiative to advance ocean governance, foster applied research and strengthen partnerships across government, academia, industry and traditional leadership.

“These are not radical ideas, they are overdue. This is sovereignty matched with stewardship. And sovereignty does not mean isolation.

“In the Pacific, regionalism is our strength. Through the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, we are advancing joint enforcement, shared monitoring, and coordinated legal frameworks.

“We have chaired regional bodies, hosted key negotiations, and ratified ocean agreements that show the Pacific’s ability to lead. The Pacific is not asking for leadership. We are offering it.”

Brown also reaffirmed Cook Islands’ call for an international ocean governance system that is fit for purpose, one that recognises coastal states as custodians of their waters, uplifts all knowledge systems and ensures finance flows to those doing the work on the frontlines.

“For the Cook Islands, SDG14 is not just a global commitment, it is a national imperative. The conservation and sustainable use of our ocean defines our development, our resilience, and our identity. Protecting marine biodiversity and ecosystem services is essential, not only for us, but for the planet,” he said

“The world does not lack ideas, it lacks implementation. And implementation requires political will, community trust, and sustained investment.

“So I leave you with this: Respect those who govern their ocean with integrity. Recognise the sovereign authority of states who steward more ocean than land. Rally behind frontline ocean governance—not as charity, but as equal partners in purpose.

“The Cook Islands is ready.”

The Cook Islands delegation to UNOC3 includes senior officials from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI) and the National Environment Service (NES).

Together they represent Cook Islands priorities across ocean finance, marine protection, science and policy development and treaty engagement, OPM said in a statement.

The Prime Minister’s participation at UNOC3 is made possible with support from the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (OPOC), funded by the Government of Australia.