Press Releases
Signing and Exchange of Notes concerning support for strengthening agricultural development to the Cook Islands (Grant aid “the Economic and Social Development Programme”)
On August 22, in Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, H.E. Mr. OSAWA Makoto, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Cook Islands, and Her Excellency Ms. Kairangi SAMUELA, Cook Islands High Commissioner to New Zealand, signed and exchanged notes for "the Economic and Social Development Programme" (project up to four hundred and eighteen million yen).
- The Cook Islands consist of 15 islands spread over a vast area of ocean, and the distance from Rarotonga, the capital island, to the furthest island is approximately 1,300 km. Apart from the capital island of Rarotonga, the remote islands of the Cook Islands are facing development challenges due to the geographical distance. The agricultural sector of the remote Cook Islands is experiencing declining productivity for reasons such as aging of the population. Therefore, agricultural equipment and development of agricultural fields are required in order for the islanders, including young generation, to engage in agriculture activities efficiently.
- The purpose of this cooperation is to support agricultural development on remote islands in the Cook Islands. By providing agricultural equipment, such as towing trucks with trailers and field tractors, including equipment manufactured by Japanese companies, it is expected to contribute towards improvement of food security and agricultural productivity, thereby to contribute to the economic and social development in the country.
- In the “Leaders Declaration” and the "Joint Action Plan" issued at the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM10) held on July 18, Japan has announced "Resources and Economic Development " as one of the priority areas of cooperation, and this project will help to realize the Plan.
The Cook Islands has an area of 237 square kilometers, a population of 19,200 (2022, Asian Development Bank), and a per capita gross national product (GDP) of 27,799 New Zealand dollars (2021, Asian Development Bank).
On July 18, 2024, the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM 10) was co-chaired by Prime Minister KISHIDA and Prime Minister BROWN of the Cook Islands, the Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF). The Meeting was attended by the leaders and representatives of 19 countries, regions and regional organization including Japan, 14 Pacific Island countries, two French overseas collectivities, Australia, and New Zealand, and the chair of Pacific Islands Forum (PIF).
The Government of Japan announced Japan’s commitment to continue its robust development assistance and support for more than 6,500 people-to-people exchanges as well as human resource development over the next three years based on the seven priority areas of cooperation which are in line with the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent or “2050 Strategy" of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF): (1) Political Leadership and Regionalism, (2) People-centered Development, (3) Peace and Security, (4) Resources and Economic Development, (5) Climate Change and Disasters, (6) Ocean and Environment, (7) Technology and Connectivity.