Cook Islands National Environment Service (NES) hosted the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Asia-Pacific regional training workshop for Operational Focal Points (OFPs) this week at the Edgewater Resort, Rarotonga marking a significant milestone for the country.

The event brought together OFPs from across the Asia-Pacific region to enhance their capacity in environmental finance management and project oversight.

The workshop, supported by GEF, aimed to improve how focal points access, monitor, and evaluate GEF support.

Since joining GEF in June 1994, the Cook Islands has undertaken over 12 GEF-funded projects.

Currently, NES serves as the executing agency for three major projects including:

• GEF-7 Project ENUA, aimed at reducing environmental impacts from agriculture, infrastructure, and tourism through sustainable land and coastal water management.
• GEF-8 Project RESPONSE, focused on minimizing plastic waste from the food and beverage sector, promoting reuse options, and reducing pollution.
• GEF Islands, addressing environmental and health risks in the Outer Islands (Pa Enua) through the safe collection and recycling of electronic and bulky waste.

The workshop welcomed several high-profile guests, including the Minister Tingika Elikana, Fiji’s Minister for Environment and Climate Change Mosese Bulitavu, Ambassador Filipo Tarakinikini of Fiji, Lady Tuaine Marsters, GEF General Manager Peter Lallas, GEF Secretariat SIDS Coordinator Asha Bobb-Semple, and Reverend Makara and his wife.

The first day featured presentations and breakout sessions aimed at strengthening the roles of OFPs and enhancing project management.

The second day included a visit to the Takitumu Conservation Area, where participants observed the outcomes of the GEF-5 Ridge to Reef project and the ongoing GEF-7 Project ENUA initiatives.

The event was part of ongoing preparations for the GEF Pacific Constituency meetings that was held on Thursday and Friday, ahead of the bi-annual GEF Council meeting scheduled for June 2 to 6 in Washington, U.S.A. Discussions will include considerations for the GEF Trust Fund’s ninth replenishment (GEF-9).

NES expressed pride in hosting the workshop and emphasised the importance of continued collaboration in managing environmental projects within the Asia-Pacific region. NES