The Cook Islands continued its engagement in international ocean governance at the International Seabed Authority Assembly in Kingston, Jamaica, from 27 to 31 July 2026.

Seabed Minerals Commissioner Beverly Ataera attended the Assembly as part of the Cook Islands delegation, with support and coordination across Government, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration.

The Assembly is the supreme organ of the International Seabed Authority and brings together all Member States. Its work includes consideration of the annual report of the Secretary-General, institutional and budget matters, the work of the Authority, and wider priorities linked to the governance of mineral-related activities in the international seabed Area.

For the Cook Islands, participation in the Assembly supports continued engagement in the international system governing seabed minerals activities beyond national jurisdiction. It also provides an opportunity to strengthen relationships, follow institutional developments, build national capability, and remain informed about international discussions on ocean governance, environmental protection, science, capacity development, and responsible stewardship.

During the Assembly, Commissioner Ataera formally signed the Cook Islands’ commitment to the International Seabed Authority’s See Her Exceed (S.H.E.) Gender Compact. The S.H.E. Gender Compact is a voluntary framework built around seven interconnected action areas, from strengthening leadership and accountability in gender mainstreaming to fostering cross-sectoral collaboration, to promote women’s safe participation at sea.

States and institutions can join as Champions, promoting the Compact across their networks, or as Implementing Partners, committing to putting at least two action areas into practice. The Governments of Belgium, France, India, Portugal and the Cook Islands have signed on as champions.

Commissioner Ataera said the signing was a decisive moment for the Cook Islands and reflected work already taking place at home. “For the Cook Islands, this commitment is not symbolic. It reflects practical work already underway to support women across seabed minerals, ocean science, environmental management, law, regulation, policy, data, research, and public engagement,” Commissioner Ataera said.

“The S.H.E. Gender Compact gives us another platform to strengthen that work and to show that small island States have important knowledge and leadership to contribute.”

SBMA said the Cook Islands’ role under the Compact aligns with the Authority’s ongoing work through Women in Science Exploration, known as WISE, as well as wider training and capacity development efforts across the organisation.

The Authority said this work is especially important for the Cook Islands, where national capability must be built across science, law, regulation, data management, environmental assessment, communications, and international engagement.

Commissioner Ataera said that gender equality in ocean governance must link to real opportunities.

“It is one thing to say that women should be included. It is another thing to make sure they are safe at sea and have access to training, decision-making spaces, technical knowledge, and leadership pathways,” she said. “That is where the real work sits. For SBMA, capacity development is not separate from gender equality. It is part of how we build a stronger, more capable Cook Islands.”

The Cook Islands’ participation at the Assembly also reflected strong collaboration across Government. SBMA acknowledged the role of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration in supporting the Cook Islands’ engagement with the International Seabed Authority and in ensuring the country’s participation is aligned with wider national and diplomatic interests.

SBMA said this whole-of-government approach is important as international seabed minerals discussions continue to evolve.

The Cook Islands remains in an exploration and research phase within its own national jurisdiction. No commercial minerals harvesting is authorised under current exploration licences, and exploration does not constitute approval for future commercial harvesting. Any future proposal would be subject to Cook Islands law and applicable to environmental, regulatory and public decision-making processes.

SBMA said the Assembly provided an opportunity to continue building Cook Islands visibility in international ocean governance while also reinforcing the country’s commitment to science, responsible regulation, capacity development, and inclusive leadership.

For the Cook Islands, meaningful participation means more than being present in international rooms. It means building the people, systems, and partnerships needed to make careful decisions for our moana and for future generations.

Stay Informed

SBMA will continue to share updates on its regulatory work, international engagement, research, partnerships and public information activities as part of its commitment to responsible seabed minerals governance.

🔹 SBMA — Supporting responsible seabed minerals governance through science, knowledge and public engagement.

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Cook Islands strengthens international engagement and women’s leadership at ISA Assembly