ASEAN and New Zealand have pledged to strengthen their cooperation by implementing the ASEAN-New Zealand Plan of Action (2021-2025). The commitment was reaffirmed at the 11th ASEAN-New Zealand Joint Cooperation Committee (ANZJCC) Meeting, which was held at the ASEAN Secretariat on March 25. The meeting was co-chaired by Permanent Representative of Brunei to ASEAN Ambassador Latifah Zaini and Ambassador of New Zealand to ASEAN Stuart Calman.
Both parties recognised the progress made in implementing the Plan of Action and New Zealand’s commitment to supporting ASEAN centrality through active participation in ASEAN-led mechanisms. The Plan of Action covers four themes: Peace, Prosperity, People, and Planet. Both sides welcomed the ongoing negotiations to upgrade the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA) and urged for the effective implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement to further enhance economic cooperation.
The two sides also discussed the importance of enhancing cooperation in areas such as counter-terrorism, human rights, trade, investment, digital economy, and public health. The meeting acknowledged New Zealand’s role in addressing climate change and the need for enhanced cooperation in renewable energy, sustainable development, and smart cities.
Furthermore, both sides looked forward to commemorating the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-New Zealand Dialogue Relations in 2025, and the reopening of international borders, which will facilitate the resumption of people-to-people initiatives.
The meeting welcomed the inaugural batch of the ASEAN Trade Academy, an initiative by New Zealand, which is scheduled to commence on May 1. The ANZJCC meeting highlights the importance of cooperation between ASEAN and New Zealand in promoting regional peace, stability, and prosperity.
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