The Cook Islands Government today officially opened the IORIS Foundational and Leadership Training, a two-week programme designed to strengthen national maritime security, inter-agency coordination, and information-sharing capability.
The training is delivered under the European Union-funded CRIMARIO (Critical Maritime Routes Indo-Pacific) project and focuses on the use of IORIS, a secure, web-based platform that enables real-time coordination and information sharing between national and regional agencies.
The Cook Islands’ participation in IORIS supports both regional security initiatives and declarations that emphasise cooperation, interoperability, and collective responses to transnational threats across the Pacific and Indo-Pacific. It also directly advances the objectives of the Cook Islands National Security Policy, particularly in relation to protecting the country’s vast Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and strengthening whole-of-government coordination.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Chief of Staff of the Office of the Prime Minister, Karopaerangi Ngatoko, highlighted the importance of modern tools and skills in responding to increasingly complex maritime threats.
“This training is a direct investment in our national security capability. IORIS equips our agencies with contemporary tools and techniques that allow us to better share information, coordinate responses, and keep pace with evolving maritime risks. The Office of the Prime Minister remains committed to supporting our law enforcement partners and stakeholders in protecting the Cook Islands EEZ from both internal and external threats. We value partnership, coordination, and readiness, and we see this training as a meaningful investment in all three,” said Ms Ngatoko.
The Cook Islands was first introduced to IORIS in 2023 through training hosted by the Pacific Fusion Centre in Vanuatu. Since then, OPM has supported introduction of the platform to nine government agencies, with nineteen registered users nationally. Cook Islands agencies have also taken part in regional tabletop exercises using IORIS alongside Pacific and Latin American partners.
The current Foundational and Leadership courses will further build national capability by developing advanced users and national administrators, enabling Cook Islands agencies to manage country-specific coordination areas within the platform and provide ongoing technical support.
The Government acknowledged the continued support of CRIMARIO, including the provision of IORIS to the Cook Islands at no cost, as well as ongoing training and technical assistance through the IORIS Instructor and Pacific Lead role.
The Office of the Prime Minister also thanked the Cook Islands Police Service and Customs Service for co-hosting the training, and Heads of Agencies for nominating participants.
The training reinforces the Cook Islands’ commitment to working collaboratively across government and with regional partners to safeguard maritime security and national interests.
