Joint Media Release issued by the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) Government of the Cook Islands and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).
Celebrating history with 60-years of self-governance this year, the Cook Islands is also focusing its lens on a future where the challenges of climate-induced loss and damage are met with equitable and effective solutions.
The Cook Islands national dialogue on Loss and Damage has concluded today in Rarotonga, bringing together people from across the Cook Islands to share their experiences, build their knowledge, and to enable mutual support to actively address this climate change challenge.
Our Pacific islands contribute to less than 0.03% of the world’s total greenhouse gas emissions, yet we are amongst the most vulnerable in the world to the impacts of climate change. Concern grows when we can no longer adapt to its impacts resulting in the loss and damage of those services and benefits to our Pacific Islands people and way of life.
“Climate-induced losses and damages have long been experienced across the Pacific, with our communities witnessing the heartbreaking impacts of sudden-onset events including tropical cyclones and storm surges as well as slow onset sea-level rise, ocean acidification and rising temperatures,” said Ms Karopaerangi Ngatoko, Chief of Staff of the Office of the Prime Minister of the Cook Islands.
“These impacts have led to significant harm to our communities, culture, wellbeing, livelihoods and environments. For decades, these challenges were confronted at the community level, often without adequate resources or recognition from global mechanisms. The Office of the Prime Minister is proud to host this dialogue as a living example of Pacific-led action to tell our own climate stories, in our own voice.”
“In bringing together diverse stakeholders here for this dialogue we aim to enhance our collective understanding, share knowledge, and collaborate on prioritising contextualised responses to these critical issues.”
The Cook Islands National Dialogue on Loss and Damage is coordinated in partnership by Climate Change Cook Islands and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) with funding from the Government of New Zealand. It is one of a range of different activities to take place across the Pacific Islands region under the Loss and Damage Capacity and Capability Project.
Enabling diverse voices to share their Cook Islands stories, engaging collectively has helped empower the sharing of knowledge to build understanding of climate-induced loss and damage in the Cook Islands.
“New Zealand is pleased to be supporting this partnership between the Cook Islands and SPREP as together you work to raise awareness of climate related loss and damage and develop clear measures to tackle the rising impacts from global warming in the Cook Islands,” stated H.E Catherine Graham, New Zealand High Commissioner to the Cook Islands.
“I also want to acknowledge the partnership’s inclusive approach. Evidence tells us that women, children, people living with a disability, and other vulnerable groups are affected by, and respond to, climate change in important and different ways.”
“It is great to see that this dialogue provides space to share different groups’ needs and experiences when assessing loss and damage, and planning and developing response measures.”
The 2025 Cook Islands National Dialogue on Loss and Damage is held from 14 to 16 April 2025 in Rarotonga. It is facilitated in partnership between Climate Change Cook Islands of the Office of the Prime Minister, Government of the Cook Islands, and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme under the Loss and Damage Capacity and Capability Project funded by the Government of New Zealand.
The Cook Islands Loss and Damage Dialogue brings together over 30 participants from Rarotonga, Aitutaki, Atiu, Mangaia and Mitiaro with delegates from the Northern Group Pa Enua participating virtually. This aims to be the first dialogue with a second face to face session to take place in the second half of the year with participants from te Pae Tokerau, the Northern Group Pa Enua, also.
For further information please email Jessica Rodham at jessicar@sprep.org or Annique Davis at annique.davis@cookislands.gov.ck
