Government has concluded its national High-Level Political Talanoa (HLPT), facilitated by the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) High-Level Persons Group (HLPG), as part of a region-wide consultation process under Phase 3 of the Review of the Regional Architecture (RRA).

Led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI), the Cook Islands undertook extensive cross-government consultations over the past month to prepare for this engagement.

These consultations gathered the views and experiences of ministries and agencies with significant involvement in the regional system, ensuring that the Cook Islands’ contribution to the HLPT reflected both technical and policy insight as well as political direction.

The process was designed to promote transparency, inclusivity, and national ownership while equipping the HLPG with a grounded understanding of the Cook Islands’ unique context and aspirations.

Building on this, the discussions emanating from the Talanoa focused on the practical strengths and structural weaknesses of the current regional system, including overlapping mandates among regional agencies, gaps in implementation, and the growing complexity of coordination across the Pacific’s regional landscape.

Participants reaffirmed the Cook Islands’ commitment to regionalism but stressed the importance of reforming existing institutions to improve delivery, align with national priorities, and enhance accountability.

They also highlighted the need to preserve Pacific political leadership and ensure space for Pacific Island countries to deliberate and make decisions free from undue external influence.

Cook Islands Chargé d’Affaires for the Cook Islands High Commission in Fiji, Antonina Browne, said, “Our regional architecture must be clear on its purpose and sharper in its execution. CROP agencies were established to support national governments, not to compete with or duplicate them. Regionalism succeeds when it listens, adapts, and delivers.”

Foreign Secretary Tepaeru Herrmann added, “This is the most important regional reform conversation in a generation. The Cook Islands has consistently backed Pacific regionalism with action, not just words. But loyalty must not come at the cost of effectiveness. Our leaders have made bold commitments under the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific, and it’s time the regional system rose to match that ambition. We require institutions that are fit for purpose, not just fit for funding.

“Regional bodies must demonstrate discipline, responsiveness, and impact that support development outcomes at the community level. Our future regional architecture must be politically anchored, technically competent, and accountable to the people it serves.”

The HLPG will continue its consultations across the region and will meet with Prime Minister Mark Brown on the margins of the Third UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3) this week.

Their final recommendations, based on in-country engagements with all 18 Forum Members, will be presented to Forum Leaders for consideration at the 54th Pacific Islands Forum in Honiara in September 2025. MFAI