Prime Minister Ardern to attend APEC and the East Asia Summit
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will travel to Da Nang, Viet Nam to attend the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
(APEC) Leaders’ Meeting 10-11 November. The Prime Minister will then travel to Manila, The Philippines where she will
attend the East Asia Summit 12-14 November.
Foreign Minister, Winston Peters, and Trade and Export Growth Minister, David Parker, will accompany the Prime Minister
in Viet Nam and attend the APEC Ministers’ meetings. Associate Trade and Export Growth Minister Damian O’Connor will
also attend the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Ministerial meeting in Manila next week.
“I’m very much looking forward to meeting other regional leaders. At the beginning of my leadership, it’s important that
I work to strengthen what are very important relationships.”
In Da Nang, the Prime Minister will meet with a number of political leaders, and will attend both the APEC Leaders’ and
TPP Leaders’ meetings. She will also speak at the APEC CEO Summit on ‘Resource Efficiency and Sustainable Growth’.
“This year’s APEC Leaders’ meeting is focused on economic, financial and social inclusion. This responds to a rising
concern in the region about the impact of globalisation and the demand for inclusive and sustainable growth,” says Ms
Ardern.
“The APEC region is vital for New Zealand’s economic future and my attendance at the meeting will provide a valuable
opportunity to promote New Zealand’s commitment to the region. APEC has been a driving force for better connecting the
dynamic Asia Pacific region, and the relationships we have developed with our regional partners have helped lay the
foundation for several of our regional FTAs.”
In Manila, the Prime Minister will meet with key counterparts in the region and attend the East Asia Summit, at which
strategic challenges such as North Korea, will be discussed.
“New Zealand is committed to working with member countries to address the Asia-Pacific region’s most pressing strategic
challenges and opportunities.
“New Zealand will continue to support UN Security Council Sanctions and international efforts to send a clear message to
North Korea and to support a diplomatic solution to the situation,” Ms Ardern says.
The Prime Minister will also attend a celebration to mark ASEAN’s 50th Anniversary, and will return to New Zealand on 16
November.
Notes to Editors:
· APEC has 21 members: Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia,
Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, the United
States of America and Viet Nam
· The East Asia Summit includes all ten ASEAN members (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the
Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Viet Nam) and Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russia
and the USA.