National Sustainable Development Agenda (NSDA) 2020+ 2021–2121.

The National Sustainable Development Agenda (NSDA) 2020+ takes an extended outlook over 100 years, including short to medium-term plans. The Cook Islands' 100-year wellbeing vision will be guided by 25-years frameworks that provide a generational roadmap and by 5-years strategies that outline key milestones, ensuring progress is tracked, monitored, and adjusted to address priority areas. The NSDA lays down targets to achieve wellbeing of all Cook Islanders as the central focus of the national vision and the driving force for transformational change in the sustainable development.
As a result of research and consultations, well-being is defined as being comfortable, healthy, and happy. This includes but not limited to: being educated, healthy, socially secure; having liveable income; maintaining language and cultural traditions and heritage; having fundamental human rights and freedoms; being a member of a healthy and productive community; and maintaining an environment that is rich in biodiversity and its benefits for the future generations. In the Cook Islands, every individual will have equal access to health, education, and employment, fostering a fair and socially sustainable society that supports wellbeing and security for all. Resources will be directed toward reducing inequality and enhancing quality of life, with a strong emphasis on maintaining high educational standards and innovation. Wellbeing will be woven into lifelong learning, with a special attention to vulnerable groups, including children, parents, youth, and the elderly. Cultural rights will be recognized and reinforced, supporting all islands in preserving and passing down indigenous heritage in line with sustainable development principles. The Government will actively engage with communities and locally rooted economies. The inclusion of other communities within the society, integration and mutual respect will be promoted. Strong partnerships with non-governmental organizations and the private sector will help embed wellbeing into every aspect of life, alongside a nationwide commitment to sports and active lifestyles for all age groups.
The environment and natural heritage will be protected to the highest level and sustainably integrated into the economy. Development projects will be carried out in a way that will not affect the environment, social and cultural fabric and which will bring positive change to the nation. Public awareness will be raised on biodiversity and its importance in order to persuade everyone to give due consideration to sustainability issues in their decision-making processes and actions. This will help to prevent biodiversity loss and effectively manage and eliminate invasive species. More resources will be allocated to education and guidance that promote biodiversity and the sustainable use of natural resources with due regard to the rights of ownership. The Government will take measures to conserve Marae Moana, Enua and Mareva; sustainably harness nature's benefits for societal well-being; reassess harmful environmental incentives in line with local social, economic and cultural conditions; and integrate traditional knowledge and scientific evidence into decision-making. Green and blue economy will be supported by the Government. Cultural heritage sites will be secured, protected and maintained for future generations.
To achieve a more sustainable economy, efforts will focus on diversification of the conomy, job creation, and enhancing productivity, profitability, and work quality. Sustainable jobs will be created by modernizing production methods and business models. Cook Islands companies will engage in the global economy while upholding sustainable development principles, ensuring strong social responsibility and sustainability both within their operations and throughout their supply chains. The education and social security systems will be developed to respond to the need for new skills and competence and address the concerns related to employment relationships, the labour market and adequate basic incomes. Equality will be promoted in the labour market by facilitating the recruitment of youth, people approaching the retirement age and immigrants. Measures will be taken to reduce the gender pay gap and remove obstructions to women’s career development. The entrepreneurship and innovation will be promoted by lowering the threshold for starting a business. The industries will be supported to restructure in order to create jobs that generate more added value and improve productivity. Decent work will be promoted in line with the global efforts.
The resilience to the impacts of climate change will be increased through planning towards adaptation and mitigation and the technologies. Nature-based solutions will be incorporated in addressing climate change. Emergency and disaster preparedness will be strengthened to allocate resources and ensure equal participation and planning for all sectors of the society. Emissions reduction will be achieved by reducing the need for motor traffic and creating community structures conducive to healthy and sustainable transport. Efforts will be given to bring the global consumption of natural resources to an environmentally sustainable level. Both consumers and companies will be encouraged to reduce their ecological footprints, adopt a lifestyle respectful of nature, and adapt to a more resource-wise low-emission economy.
The Government aims to achieve energy, water and food self-sufficiency. It seeks to provide clean energy to all and access to sufficient quantity and quality of water for all purposes. Food security will be achieved on the basis of food self-sufficiency and good healthy nutrition. Local production will continue to meet most of food demands. Additionally, efforts will be intensified to promote exports of sustainable clean-tech solutions to expand positive carbon impact while ensuring consumers can easily and affordably make eco-friendly choices in housing, transport, and food.