Cook Islands Reviews PACER Plus Implementation And Sets Priorities For Phase 2

RAROTONGA, Cook Islands – As the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations Plus (PACER Plus) enters Phase 2 of implementation (2025-2030), the Government of the Cook Islands, in collaboration with the PACER Plus Implementation Unit (PPIU), has undertaken national consultations to review progress under the Agreement and identify priorities for the next phase of implementation.

Held from 1–6 March, in Avarua, Rarotonga, the consultations brought together PACER Plus contact points and government departments responsible for implementing key areas of the Agreement, including Rules of Origin, Customs Procedures, Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures, Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), Trade in Services, Temporary Movement of Natural Persons, Investment, and Labour Mobility.

The consultations focused on assessing the Cook Islands’ progress in implementing the Agreement using the PACER Plus Implementation Trackers. The Trackers are a monitoring tool used to evaluate how national laws, policies, and institutional systems align with the Agreement’s commitments. They help identify implementation strengths, gaps, and capacity needs, supporting targeted technical assistance and improved utilisation of the Agreement.

After the first five years of PACER Plus implementation, the Cook Islands is now positioned to build on key achievements to date and leverage the Agreement to better support trade outcomes and sustainable economic development for the country.

Elizabeth Wright-Koteka, Secretary of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, PACER Plus Focal Point, said the consultations confirmed that the Cook Islands has made significant progress in implementing the Agreement.

“Preliminary findings show that the Cook Islands has established strong legal and institutional foundations for PACER Plus implementation, particularly in areas such as Customs Procedures, Rules of Origin, and services regulation. These systems are supported by modern customs platforms and transparent regulatory frameworks that facilitate trade and investment,” Ms. Wright-Koteka said.

“At the same time, the consultations highlighted opportunities to further strengthen implementation in areas such as sanitary and phytosanitary measures and technical barriers to trade, enhance investment promotion and facilitation, and improve coordination across agencies involved in trade and labour mobility.”

The outcomes of the consultations help guide national priorities for Phase 2 of PACER Plus (2025–2030) and project proposals for the FY2026-2027 PACER Plus Annual Plan.

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