Official Development Assistance (ODA)

The Cook Islands consists of 15 scattered islands and is a popular tourist destination for its neighboring countries such as Australia and New Zealand, as well as countries in Europe and the Americas. Because of its geographic character and their vulnerability to climate change and natural disasters such as cyclones, the country needs to build basic infrastructure for economic development and transportation networks, and disaster prevention measures for each island.

Japan has developed its cooperative relationship with the Cook Islands since the establishment of the official diplomatic relationship in 2011. Japan recently provided three fire trucks to the Cook Islands for the first time under the grant assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects. The Cook Islands is experiencing an increase of in-bound tourists so strengthening its capacity of emergency countermeasures and disaster prevention/reduction are key priorities. Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Brown mentioned that Japan’s assistance was one of the most successful and beneficial for the Cook Islands. Japan will continue to engage with the Pacific islands for their sustainable development and stability.