Cook Islands wants to be the country that is at the forefront of the seabed minerals sector, declared Prime Minister Mark Brown.

At the opening cocktail event for the 52^nd Underwater Minerals Conference being held at the National Auditorium, Brown said “we want to be the country that knows the most about its ocean and its deep-ocean resources”.

The cocktail event held on Sunday at the Tamarind House was attended by ocean mineral stakeholders, including government, academic and commercial sector professionals, from over 25 countries.

Brown, who is also the Minister responsible for Seabed Minerals, said that the Cook Islands’ underwater minerals journey started back in 1974 and its achievements over the years have contributed to its goal of becoming a leader in the international seabed minerals sector.

“We want people to look at the Cook Islands and say, that is a country who shows us how things should be done – because a reputation like that is something to be treasured,” he said.

Brown highlighted that there have been almost two dozen research expeditions between 1974 and 2007.

“The passing of our Seabed Minerals Act in 2009, a world-first for a national jurisdiction. The establishment of our Seabed Minerals Authority in 2012.

“The passing of our Marae Moana (Sacred Ocean) Act in 2017, enacting vital protections across our two-million square kilometre Exclusive Economic Zone.

The issuing of five-year exploration licences to our three licence holders in 2022, followed by the arrival of the first research vessel, MV Seasurveyor, later that same year.

“Then the arrival of the Cook Islands-registered and Cook Islands-based research vessel the Anuanua Moana, early last year in 2023. The first ever Government led research expedition in late 2023. And many more besides that.”

The Prime Minister said the hosting of the Underwater Minerals Conference was another milestone. This is the second time the conference has been held in a South Pacific nation in its 52-year history.

“Our Cook Islands Government presents UMC 2024 in partnership with the International Marine Minerals Society. A partnership that reflects our shared commitment to advancing scientific research in the seabed minerals sector and connecting with others who share that commitment.”

While emphasising the importance of that commitment, Brown explained the concept “that we have here in the Cook Islands that is passed down from generation to generation”.

“It’s called mana tiaki – the responsibility of Cook Islanders as the guardians and stewards of our environment and resources,” he said. “As well as a commitment to conservation and preservation, this traditional concept of stewardship also extends to the appropriate management of natural resources for the continued benefit of the Cook Islands people.”

Brown said in order to be good stewards, “we have to know, we have to understand just what it is we are managing”.

“So it is our firm belief that if there is to be sustainable use of our deep-sea resources, the decision to do so must be driven by science, guided by robust regulatory frameworks, and rooted in our Pacific values and a commitment to our environment and our people.

“This is our journey together, and I am confident that what we started decades ago and what continues here will prove to be the right thing, the right thing that we have done for our people and our future.”