Cook Islands and United States Establish Strategic Framework for Critical Minerals Research and Supply Chain Security

The Government of the Cook Islands and the Government of the United States have agreed a non-binding Framework for Engagement and Cooperation to strengthen supply chains for critical minerals and rare earths, including cooperation relating to deep-sea minerals.

Media ReleaseDede Mingi4 February 2026Cook Islands Government, Seabed Minerals Authortiy (SBMA), Critical Minerals, Rare Earth, International Cooperation, Ocean Governance, Supply Chain Security, Sovereignty, Environmental Protection, Science-Led Decision Making, Scientific Research, Geological Mapping, Knowledge Exchange, Capacity Building, United States, Pacific Region, Indo=Pacific

Global Lessons, Local Impact: SBMA’s Te-Ara Henderson Returns from South Australia Secondment

The Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) proudly welcomes home its Senior Policy and Legal Officer, Te-Ara Henderson, following the successful completion of an 11-week regulatory secondment with the South Australian Department for Energy and Mining (DEM), an exchange facilitated through the Australasian Environmental Law Enforcement and Regulators Network (AELERT).

Press ReleaseDede Mingi30 July 2025SBMA, Cook Islands, Rarotonga, Te-Ara Henderson, South Australia, AELERT, Global Learning, Local Impact, AELERT Network, Cook Islands Leadership, Seabed Minerals, Regulatory Excellence, Pacific Innovation, Knowledge Exchange, Ocean Governance

Rima Browne Explores the US Leadership Programme on behalf of the Cook Islands 

In a bid to bolster sustainable development and explore collaboration opportunities, representatives from the Cook Islands have actively participated in a recent International Visitor Leadership Programme (IVLP) focused on "Sustainability and Economic Development in the Blue Economy."

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