National assessment report of commitments to Sustainable Development programmes in the Cook Islands

Abstract

During the 1995 national crisis and subsequent economic reform programme (ERP), several national consultation forums saw key policy measures and economic structural changes introduced. These had considerable influence on current national sustainable development initiatives including the draft NSDP and NESAF. Drastic measures were adopted, including introduction of new key legislations such as PERCA Act, MFEM Act, PSC Act to support the ERP, prudent fiscal policies, downsizing of the public service, changes in taxation regimes, establishment of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), privatization of key government assets and a private sector-led economy.