In a first for the Pacific, the secretary general for the Cook Islands Red Cross, Niki Rattle, will chair next week's 31st International Conference of the Red Cross/Red Crescent in Geneva.
The conference includes delegates from nearly 200 countries
In recognition of the global event being chaired by a Cook Islander for the first time, the Prime Minister Henry Puna has been invited to attend at the cost of the Swiss government.
Ms Rattle says Mr Puna's presence will provide moral support and make the world aware the Cook Islands is a small neutral nation willing to play its part in Red Cross operations.
