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New Zealand will host APEC in 2021, with Leaders’ Week to be held in Auckland from November 8 to 14, Foreign Minister Gerry Brownlee says.

“With Auckland also set to host the America’s Cup, 2021 will be a big year for the country’s biggest city,” Mr Brownlee says. 

“We are announcing the dates as early as possible to provide some clarity for planning, which is already under way.

New Zealand’s new Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Iran is Hamish MacMaster, Foreign Minister Gerry Brownlee announced today.

Foreign Minister Gerry Brownlee will tomorrow attend the annual Pacific Islands Forum – Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Fiji.

“As Foreign Minister I’ve made meeting with – or talking to – my Pacific counterparts a priority,” Mr Brownlee says.

“This visit will help strengthen New Zealand’s interests and relationships in the Pacific, including our support for economic development in the region.

Foreign Minister Gerry Brownlee has today marked the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) by announcing the ASEAN@50 Fellowship Programme.

New Zealand is providing $6.5 million over five years to help Cambodia develop a more sustainable horticulture industry, Foreign Minister Gerry Brownlee announced today.

“As in New Zealand, horticulture is essential to the Cambodian economy,” Mr Brownlee says.

“The Cambodia Quality Horticulture Initiative will help Cambodian farmers increase their incomes by diversifying into more sustainable crops and improve production and food safety.”

Foreign Minister Gerry Brownlee has today welcomed a United Nations Security Council Resolution strengthening sanctions on North Korea.

Resolution 2371 was passed unanimously following North Korea’s testing of intercontinental ballistic missiles on 4 and 28 July. All North Korean ballistic missile tests are banned under existing Security Council resolutions.

“I have previously strongly condemned North Korea’s illegal and dangerous missile tests, which are a threat to regional stability,” Mr Brownlee says.

Foreign Minister Gerry Brownlee will today arrive in Manila to meet with his Asia-Pacific counterparts.

From August 5 to 8, Mr Brownlee will attend ASEAN-New Zealand Ministerial consultations, the East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Regional Forum.

He will also join celebrations to mark the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of ASEAN.

New Zealand will provide a further $4.85 million in relief to humanitarian crises across Africa and Yemen, Foreign Minister Gerry Brownlee has announced.

“About 20 million people are at risk of famine and require urgent support across Nigeria, South Sudan, Somalia and Yemen,” Mr Brownlee says.

“In many places, the combination of drought conditions, alongside conflict and outbreaks of cholera, is affecting thousands of people.

Foreign Minister Gerry Brownlee has denounced the further testing of a ballistic missile by North Korea.

“I’m deeply concerned that North Korea continues to flout its obligations to the international community by testing these missiles – it’s completely unacceptable,” Mr Brownlee says.

“New Zealand would encourage North Korea to look at the plight of its people, who are living in less than advantaged circumstances, while the regime spends millions of dollars on its weaponisation programme.

Foreign Minister Gerry Brownlee will today arrive in Indonesia to attend a meeting on foreign terrorist fighters and cross-border terrorism.

The sub-regional meeting – co-hosted by Indonesia and Australia in Manado, Indonesia – will ensure New Zealand is well informed about the threat cross-border terrorism and foreign terrorists pose to parts of South East Asia.

Mr Brownlee will also meet with his Indonesian counterpart, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi.

Viet Nam’s Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue will arrive in New Zealand today for talks with ministers, Foreign Minister Gerry Brownlee has announced.

“Viet Nam is one of our most important partners in South East Asia,” Mr Brownlee says.

“Trade has grown 150 per cent since 2009 and continues to rise. We are seeing strong growth in student numbers too.

“We are now working towards an ambitious $2.3 billion target for two-way trade by 2020 – that’s compared with a little less than $1.3 billion now.

Foreign Minister Gerry Brownlee says New Zealand’s renewable energy expertise are in demand worldwide as our Development Programme continues to help Pacific Island nations achieve renewable energy targets.

Mr Brownlee has welcomed the signing of a Partnership Arrangement between New Zealand and the African Union Commission to establish the New Zealand – Africa Geothermal Facility.

Foreign Minister Gerry Brownlee has welcomed further engagement between New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

“The establishment of a people-to-people dialogue has been announced during Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson’s visit to New Zealand,” Mr Brownlee says.

“New Zealand and the United Kingdom enjoy a broad and enduring partnership. At its foundation are the connections between the people of our two countries.

The United Kingdom and New Zealand have a long-standing, deep and close relationship.

Foreign Minister Gerry Brownlee says he’s concerned that Japan is driving towards overturning the long-standing global moratorium on commercial whaling.

“New Zealand is extremely disappointed that Japan has passed new legislation that commits to subsidising its whaling fleet,” Mr Brownlee says.

“Attempts to artificially increase consumer demand for whale meat are a step backwards for the conservation of whales.

Foreign Minister Gerry Brownlee has announced diplomat Jonathan Schwass as High Commissioner to Vanuatu.

“New Zealand and Vanuatu have close and long-standing ties,” Mr Brownlee says.

“In the last year, more than 4,000 Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) workers from Vanuatu were in New Zealand – representing about 40 per cent of the total workers in the scheme.

A new sporting partnership will promote healthy lifestyles and encourage teenagers in the Pacific to take part in sport, Foreign Minister Gerry Brownlee says.

The Pacific Sporting Partnership – Sports for Health Rugby programme kicked off yesterday at the Pacific Nations Cup test match between Samoa and Fiji.

“New Zealand and the Pacific Islands share a proud sporting tradition and it is great to use this to help promote healthy lifestyles in the Pacific,” Mr Brownlee says.

Foreign Minister Gerry Brownlee has confirmed that United Kingdom Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson will visit New Zealand from 23-25 July.

“New Zealand and the United Kingdom enjoy a close and enduring friendship,” Mr Brownlee says.   

“We share extensive defence and security links as well as significant business and investment ties.

“We also have a common interest in a range of international peace and security matters.

New Zealand has congratulated the Iraqi government on the successful liberation of Mosul from ISIS after a long and hard-fought campaign.

Foreign Minister Gerry Brownlee and Defence Minister Mark Mitchell say the liberation of Mosul is an important milestone in Iraq’s battle against ISIS.

“Losing the symbolic heartland of its so-called Caliphate in Iraq will serve as a severe blow to ISIS fighters and its supporters around the globe,” Mr Brownlee says.

Foreign Minister Gerry Brownlee has welcomed the successful conclusion of negotiations for a new international treaty to ban nuclear weapons at the United Nations in New York.

New Zealand joined more than 120 other states in voting in favour of the final text of a Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons,” Mr Brownlee says.

“Some countries like New Zealand have already enacted a national ban on nuclear weapons. This treaty now provides the first legal prohibition on nuclear weapons at a global level.

New Zealand will contribute $1.5 million to the International Committee of the Red Cross for crucial humanitarian assistance in Iraq, Foreign Minister Gerry Brownlee has announced.

The humanitarian crisis in Iraq is one of the largest and most volatile in the world, with 3.1 million people internally displaced and more than 11 million in need of help.

“New Zealanders are rightly appalled at the civilian toll of this violent conflict,” Mr Brownlee says.

“Many Iraqi people are living in untenable conditions.

Foreign Minister Gerry Brownlee has condemned today’s test launch of a ballistic missile by North Korea.   

“North Korea has now tested more than a dozen ballistic missiles this year,” Mr Brownlee says.

“Like those previous tests, today’s launch violates UN Security Council Resolutions and is completely unacceptable.

“New Zealand has made clear its opposition to such tests and I want to reiterate our condemnation of this type of activity.

The Government has today announced $10 million in new funding to expand Pacific labour mobility, as the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme celebrates ten years of success.

Foreign Minister Gerry Brownlee and Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse say the RSE scheme is an innovative immigration policy that fulfils a labour need in New Zealand while giving Pacific workers the chance to earn an income and gain skills.

Foreign Minister Gerry Brownlee has today marked the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

“The story of Hong Kong’s economic success under the ‘one country, two systems’ arrangement has been a very positive one,” Mr Brownlee says.

“This arrangement has also given confidence to New Zealand businesses operating in Hong Kong and New Zealanders living and working there.