Cook Islands endorses UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2023 - 2027

The Cook Islands has endorsed the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2023 – 2027. The agreement, signed on 31 October 2022, is between the Government of the Cook Islands and the United Nations.  The UNSDCF was developed in consultation with government stakeholders, civil society, private sector and development partners from across the Pacific region including the Cook Islands.

The Framework acts as the blueprint for the work of the UN across 14 Pacific Island countries over the next five years (2023-2027).  The Pacific UN Country Team worked extensively to align the UNSDCF to each country’s development plans and aspirations with strengthened efforts to support the acceleration of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) post pandemic. The Framework is also fully aligned to the recently launched '2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent’ in addition to the S.A.M.O.A Pathway and other key regional plans and policies.

The Framework will contribute to a Pacific region where all people, leaving no place behind, are equal and free to exercise their fundamental rights, enjoy gender equality and peace, are resilient to existential threats, and live in harmony with the blue continent.

The UN will support the national development priorities across four strategic outcomes:

PLANET: By 2027, people, communities and institutions are more empowered and resilient to face diverse shocks and disasters, especially related to climate change, and ecosystems and biodiversity are better protected, managed and restored.

PEOPLE: By 2027, more people, particularly those at risk of being left behind, benefit from more equitable access o resilient, and gender-responsive, quality basic services, food security/nutrition and social protection systems.

PROSPERITY: By 2027, more people, especially those at risk of being left behind, contribute to and benefit from sustainable, resilient, diversified, inclusive and human-centred socio-economic systems with decent work and equal livelihoods opportunities, reducing inequalities and ensuring shared prosperity.

PEACE: By 2027, people enjoy and contribute to more accountable, inclusive, resilient and responsive governance systems that promote gender equality, climate security, justice and peace, ensure participation, and protect their human rights.