Kia Orana and Mauri from Cook Islands!
The 3 representatives from the Kiribati Marine Spatial Planning Coordinating Committee are currently in the Cook Islands which is another CaB-SMART MSP country for a Peer-to-Peer learning visit going on from 15th - 25th September 2026. The representatives selected from the committee in alignment with their expertise and portfolio are:
- Mrs.Catherine Paul from Geoscience Division for MFOR
- Ms.Kaaroti Henry from Environment Conservation Division for MELAD
- Mrs.Ruria Iteraea, a legal advisor actively supporting the Committee
The purpose of the Multi-Country Activity 5 exchange (MC5) program is to strengthen MSP capacity by learning directly from another CaB-Smart partner engaged in similar marine spatial planning processes.
During the exchange, the representatives of the committee will be learning from our MSP colleagues from the Cook Island team through bilateral meetings and other engagements arranged by our esteemed colleagues in Cook Island. Their invaluable experience in leading these activities will further support Kiribati national MSP process towards:
-Finalizing ocean zoning processes and further development on Special and Unique Marine Areas guidelines for Kiribati
Further development on the Kiribati National Marine Spatial Planning Act
-Progress towards the first draft Kiribati Marine Spatial Plan and including Communication Strategy for the rebranding to Phoenix Island Marine Spatial Planning
The committee would like to extend their gratitude to:
- SPREP team for handling logistics for this exchange
- MFAT for financially supporting this exchange
- Marae Moana Coordinator Ms.Maria Tuoro, the Cook Islands CaB-SMART team for their coordination and the stakeholders for their ongoing support to the representatives
- The selected committee members and their respective management for their commitment and support for this initiative.