WELLINGTON, 19 April 2024 – The 31st ASEAN-New Zealand Dialogue held today in Wellington welcomed the positive developments in the ASEAN-New Zealand Strategic Partnership and shared mutual commitment to energise and promote relations.
ASEAN recognised New Zealand’s commitment to supporting ASEAN Centrality including through its participation in ASEAN-led mechanisms and the implementation of activities under the four themes of cooperation of the ASEAN-New Zealand Plan of Action 2021-2025, namely Peace, Prosperity, People, and Planet.
Both sides voiced the need to continue strengthening cooperation and exploring new cooperative areas, including in counter-terrorism and combatting trafficking in persons; cyber security; maritime cooperation; trade, investment, digital economy; Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs); green transition; people-to-people initiatives; education; and public health. The two sides also agreed on the need to ensure 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. New Zealand also expressed its support for Lao PDR’s ASEAN Chairmanship this year, including the implementation of priorities under the theme of “Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience”.
Noting that 2025 marks the 50th Anniversary of ASEAN-New Zealand Dialogue Relations, both sides agreed to explore initiatives and activities to commemorate the milestone and to further substantiate the cooperation. New Zealand also informed the Meeting of its intention to request the establishment of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) with ASEAN in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of relations.
Both sides also exchanged views on issues of common interest and concern, including situations and developments in the South China Sea, Myanmar, and the Middle East, among others.
The 31st ASEAN-New Zealand Dialogue was co-chaired by ASEAN-Brunei Darussalam SOM Leader, H.E. Johariah Wahab, and the New Zealand Acting SOM Leader, H.E. Paula Wilson. In attendance were also the Senior Officials of ASEAN Member States or their representatives, and the Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Political-Security Community. Representatives from Timor-Leste were also present as Observer.
