Following the approval of the 55th RCA General Conference Meeting, held on 11 September 2026 in Vienna, Austria, the Cook Islands formally deposited it instrument of acceptance of the 2017 RCA Agreement during the Treaty Event held on the margins of the 70th IAEA General Conference.

With this, the Cook Islands has become a new member of the RCA, bringing the total number of the RCA Government Parties to 23 across the Asia-Pacific region. Its participation marks a further expansion of regional cooperation in the peaceful applications of nuclear

science and technology. At the same time, the Cook Islands is expected to benefit from greater access to advanced nuclear technologies, expertise and knowledge, contributing to the strengthening of its national capacities.

The RCA Government Parties warmly welcome the Cook Islands and look forward to its active participation in and contribution to a wide range of activities under the RCA framework.