Cook Islands Country Implementation Plan (CIP) 2025-2027

The Cook Islands Country Implementation Plan (CIP) 2025–2027 provides a strategic framework for the partnership between the Government of the Cook Islands and the United Nations to advance climate resilience, inclusive human development, sustainable economic transformation, and accountable governance. The CIP reflects a shared commitment to coordinated action under the Pacific United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2023–2027 and is firmly grounded in national ownership and partnership.

The Cook Islands faces distinct development challenges as a small island state, including high exposure to climate and disaster risks, reliance on tourism-driven growth, labour shortages, housing pressures, persistent gender inequalities, and significant data gaps across the Sustainable Development Goals. At the same time, the country has made notable progress in economic recovery, renewable energy transition, marine and biodiversity conservation, and fiscal management—creating strong foundations for scaled and integrated UN support.

The CIP responds directly to national development priorities and key planning frameworks, including the National Sustainable Development Agenda 2020+ (NSDA), the Economic Development Strategy 2030, and the Economic Recovery Roadmap 2021–2026. It is fully aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS (ABAS), and the Pacific UNSDCF 2023–2027.

The plan is structured around four interconnected pillars of action:

Planet – strengthening climate resilience, sustainable ocean and marine governance, ecosystem protection, pollution and waste management, and disaster risk reduction through climate-smart and nature-based solutions.

People – advancing resilient and inclusive health systems; improving food security, nutrition, WASH, education, and social protection; and strengthening gender-responsive approaches to addressing gender-based violence, child protection, and inclusion of persons with disabilities, migrants, and communities in the Pa Enua.

Prosperity – promoting sustainable economic diversification through blue and green economy initiatives, climate-smart agriculture and fisheries, digital connectivity and innovation, sound public finance management, and expanded decent work and livelihood opportunities—particularly for youth and women.

Peace – strengthening inclusive, transparent, and accountable governance systems, access to justice and human rights, national data capacities, anti-corruption measures, and evidence-based policymaking, while supporting participatory civic engagement and social cohesion.

Implementation is anchored in strong national leadership and coordinated through a Joint National–UN Steering Committee, supported by a UN Country Coordination Team. Progress is monitored through a robust monitoring, evaluation, and learning framework, using UNINFO and national systems to ensure accountability, transparency, and adaptive management.

Across all pillars, the Cook Islands CIP mainstreams gender equality, human rights, environmental sustainability, and the commitment to leave no one behind, ensuring that development gains are inclusive, resilient, and sustainable for all people of the Cook Islands.