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The self-governing territory of the Cook Islands consists of 15 islands and atolls that are spread over 2 million square kilometres of the South Pacific Ocean. The islands are geographically divided into two groups, commonly referred to as the Northern and Southern Group islands. The two groups of islands making up the country exhibit marked differences in their social, cultural and economic activities. The Northern Group islands remain relatively isolated from the Southern Group islands. The Cook Islands were formed by of volcanic activity and coral growth. The islands of Rarotonga, Mangaia, Atiu, Mauke and Mitiaro are the emergent peaks of extinct volcanoes. The islands of Manuae, Palmerston, Manihiki, Rakahanga, Pukapuka, Nassau and Suwarrow are atolls - coral reefs around a lagoon on the top of submerged volcanoes. Aitutaki is part volcano and part atoll.

The self-governing territory of the Cook Islands consists of 15 islands and atolls that are spread over 2 million square kilometres of the South Pacific Ocean. The islands are geographically divided into two groups, commonly referred to as the Northern and Southern Group islands. The two groups of islands making up the country exhibit marked differences in their social, cultural and economic activities. The Northern Group islands remain relatively isolated from the Southern Group islands.

This review examines the current status of NBSAP development across fourteen South Pacific member nations, and assesses the scales of actionable planning and M&E protocols existing within these plans. The results of the review show that the status of NBSAP development and implementation in the selected Pacific member countries is varied; from some countries still awaiting funding to begin their NBSAP development process, to others that are busy undertaking implementation activities

The Cook Islands has already achieved the targeted two third reduction of under 5 year olds mortality rate from 26 per 1000 live births in 1991 to 7.7 in 2001. The infant mortality rate dropped from 31.3 infants per 1000 live births in 1991 to 9.8 in 2001.Whilst the maternal health indicators for Cook Islands women were rated amongst the best in the region, there remain some worrying statistics. Teenage pregnancies had been on the increase in the past with a quarter of childbearing women reportedly having children during their teenage years. In general, key health issues affecting mothers and women include the relatively high incidences of cervical and breast cancers, and increasing prevalence of non-communicable disease (NCDs) such as diabetes, obesity, hypertension, circulatory illnesses and their complications resulting from changing lifestyles of the Cook Islands population. NCD’s are now the major cause of morbidity and mortality in the adult Cook Islands population.There are no officially recorded cases of HIV/AIDS in the Cook Islands although there are 2 resident HIV/AIDS cases (one male, one female) in the Cook Islands. Prevention and awareness raising programmes on the modes of transmission and risks of HIV/AIDS in the Cook Islands need to be maintained and further strengthened.

Solid waste management strategy for the Pacific

The agreement, signed in Cotonou on 23 June 2000 for a period of twenty years and revised in 2005, builds on the acquis of thirty years of experience. The successive Lomé Conventions had provided a unique model of North/South relations, combining a negotiated system of trade preferences and considerable amounts of aid. Yet the results had been mixed. Evaluations of Community aid to the ACP countries often demonstrated that insufficient account had been taken of the institutional and policy context in the partner country, and this had too often undermined the viability and effectiveness of cooperation. The impact of non- reciprocal trade preferences had also proven disappointing. The rise in private direct investment flows to the developing countries over the previous two decades had not benefited the majority of ACP coun-tries. Although the farsightedness and the contractual nature of the Lomé Conventions were acquis worth preserving, there was also an obvious need to adapt to international and regional developments. The rise in poverty in a number of countries, demographic development and environmental pressures meant that objectives and cooperation practices needed to be substantially reviewed.