The Prime Minister, Hon. Mark Brown, has travelled to Honolulu, Hawaiʻi this week to attend the Pacific Agenda: Investment, Security, and Shared Prosperity Summit, a senior-level, invitation-only forum designed to advance viable investment across the Pacific.
Hosted by the United States Government and the East-West Center, the Summit focuses on mobilising private sector investment to support economic resilience, infrastructure development, and long-term regional security across the Pacific.
Prime Minister Brown said the Cook Islands is attending with a clear objective: to convert partnerships into tangible opportunities that support national development priorities.
“The Cook Islands is a large ocean state with ambition and clarity about our future. This Summit provides an opportunity to present our priorities directly to decision-makers and investors who are looking to partner with the Pacific in meaningful ways.”
Discussions will centre on sectors critical to the Cook Islands’ economic future, including critical minerals, renewable energy, climate-resilient infrastructure, tourism and digital connectivity.. Sector working sessions and curated investment discussions are designed to move projects toward financing and implementation rather than remain at the level of dialogue.
The Prime Minister said participation reflects the country’s broader strategy to strengthen relationships while ensuring Pacific priorities shape global investment conversations.
“We are not attending simply to observe. We are attending to position the Cook Islands as a trusted and proactive partner, ready for investment that supports sustainable growth, strengthens resilience, and delivers real outcomes for our people.”
The Summit will also bring together regional partners including Australia, New Zealand, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and France, creating opportunities to deepen cooperation and coordinate investment across a range of areas.
While in Hawaiʻi, the Prime Minister will engage with government leaders, development finance institutions, and private sector representatives to promote Cook Islands opportunities and advance ongoing discussions in areas such as renewable energy development, digital transformation, and responsible ocean-based industries.
Prime Minister Brown will be accompanied by senior officials from the Office of the Prime Minister, the Seabed Minerals Authority, and the Cook Islands Investment Corporation, reflecting the Government’s focus on promoting cross-sectoral collaboration and strengthening economic partnerships.
“We will continue to chart our own course, grounded in who we are, confident in our partnerships, and focused on building a resilient and prosperous future for the Cook Islands.”
