The work of the Division is directed by the CI National Official Development Assistance (ODA) Policy approved by cabinet in October 2011 and is overseen by the National Sustainable Development Commission (NSDC).

The ODA policy states that the achievement of the Cook Islands development outcomes will be supported by the effective and efficient use of ODA aligned to the National Sustainable Development Plan (NSDP). The Division fosters relationships with development partners and acts to broker cooperative arrangements funded by ODA. These activities are increasingly delivered through diverse partnerships at a variety of levels including local government, civil society, private sectors and national government agencies.

The division also provides secretariat services to the National Sustainable Development Commission (NSDC) and provides the national executing office for European Union ODA and contributes to the development of concessional loans with Asian Development Bank, European Investment Bank and Development Partners. Activities also include the development of concessional loans and blended financing arrangements with the Asian Development Bank, European Investment Bank and Development Partners like the People's Republic of China.

Guiding Principles, Goal, and Objectives

The following principles guide the ODA policy:

• Aid and its delivery mechanisms must be relevant and aligned to national development priorities.
• Aid must foster accountable partnerships between stakeholders at all levels including government, development partners, private sector and civil society.
• Aid processes must be efficient and well managed using local systems and procedures and based on sustainable local capacities.
• Aid needs to be effective and well coordinated at all levels and use a range of mechanisms adapted to diverse community situations. Budget support is the favored modality.
• Aid support must lead to measurable sustainable and equitable results which promote positive outcomes for women, people with disabilities and young people.
• Aid must improve the capacity of the Cook Islands to become self reliant by fostering opportunities for local people to provide services and increase skills and experience by participating in all stages of development initiatives.

ODA Goal and Objectives

In conjunction with Cook Islands Government’s own contributions to development priorities, the overall goal of this policy is to ensure aid effectiveness in achieving national development outcomes.Specific ODA policy objectives include:

• Strengthening governance and management of aid effectiveness at all levels;
• Strengthening partnerships in the coordination and delivery of ODA ; and
• Ensuring accountability of ODA to achieving sustainable and equitable development results.

Cook Islands Official Development Assistance Policy 2011 (ODA Policy)

Development Coordination Division Staff