JAKARTA, 15 May 2024 – ASEAN and New Zealand reaffirmed commitment to strengthening their partnership and enhancing cooperation including through continued implementation of the ASEAN-New Zealand Plan of Action (2021-2025) at the 12th ASEAN-New Zealand Joint Cooperation Committee (ANZJCC) Meeting held today at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat.
ASEAN recognised New Zealand’s commitment to supporting ASEAN Centrality including through its participation in ASEAN-led mechanisms and implementation of cooperation activities under the four themes outlined in the Plan of Action 2021-2025- Peace, Prosperity, People, and Planet.
Both sides noted the substantive progress made in the implementation of almost all action lines in the Plan of Action. They agreed to continue strengthening cooperation and exploring new areas of collaboration, including in combatting transnational crime; maritime cooperation; women, peace and security; digital transformation; energy transition; agriculture; blue economy; tourism; connectivity; environment and climate change; culture; education; and disaster management. The two sides also agreed on the need to strengthen trade and economic relations, including through ensuring the effective implementation of the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP).
ASEAN welcomed New Zealand’s support for the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) and looked forward to concrete activities to enhance practical cooperation in line with the ASEAN-New Zealand Joint Statement on Cooperation on the AOIP adopted in 2023.
Noting that 2025 marks the 50th Anniversary of ASEAN-New Zealand Dialogue Relations, and a new Plan of Action (2026-2030) will also be adopted next year, both sides agreed to explore initiatives and activities to commemorate the milestone and further substantiate cooperation. New Zealand reiterated its intention to request the establishment of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) with ASEAN in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of relations.
Permanent Representative of Brunei Darussalam to ASEAN, Ambassador Latifah Zaini, and Ambassador of New Zealand to ASEAN, Stuart Calman, co-chaired the meeting. In attendance were Permanent Representatives to ASEAN or their representatives, the Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Political-Security Community, and their respective delegations. Timor-Leste attended as Observer.
——
