As High Commissioner, one of the highlights of any posting is having the Prime Minister in town and last month Rt Hon Christopher Luxon made his first official trip to Singapore. Accompanied by Minister for Climate Change Hon Simon Watts, officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, New Zealand Trade & Enterprise, a business delegation, Māori culture group and media, the trip was a fantastic opportunity to strengthen ties between NZ – SG and showcase the very best of Aotearoa New Zealand.
PM Luxon and Singapore’s then Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong agreed to elevate the relationship by the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year. They agreed that both sides should look to expand practical cooperation in priority areas of cooperation including food security, supply chains, the green economy, digital, critical and emerging technology, and engagement on Pacific issues and efforts to advocate for Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
Bilateral links
Having Prime Minister Luxon meet both Prime Minister Lee and then Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on the very day their handover of power was announced was particularly special, adding poignancy to the official engagements and underscoring the closeness of bilateral links. Prime Minister Luxon took the opportunity to thank PM Lee for the enormous contribution he has made noting, “Prime Minister Lee is rightly esteemed as a leader of the highest order the world over”. He offered DPM Wong New Zealand’s friendship and support as he assumes the Prime Ministerial role and leads Singapore’s Fourth Generation Government.
The visit allowed us to showcase New Zealand products, services, food, wine, and of course, our people. With events focused on education, the green economy and advanced technology, as well as a dialogue on geoeconomic developments and a Gala Dinner, the visit brought together New Zealand’s key stakeholders in Singapore and the many New Zealanders and friends of New Zealand that help the High Commission advance New Zealand’s interests here every day.
With increased ambition for the outcomes between our two countries, I am confident New Zealand – Singapore links will continue to go from strength to strength. The logistics and planning of such a large event cannot be underestimated and I am grateful to everyone, whether working within government or the private sector who contributed to the success of the visit.
