New Zealand is not only a long-time diplomatic partner of the Solomon Islands but a close Pacific friend and for those reasons alone a good time to have knowledge of the shape of New Zealand’s Foreign Policy going forward, but especially in regard to commitments to the Pacific and Pacific Islanders.
Speaking at the University of Otago last night, Friday, NZ’s Foreign Minister, Ms Nanaia Mahutu was reported by Radio New Zealand saying, and I quote.
Covid-19 has been an all-dominating distraction from international relations, but also shows how important New Zealand's relationships with other countries are, Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta says.
Opening the two-day annual Foreign Policy School at the University of Otago last night, Mahuta gave a wide-ranging assessment of New Zealand's foreign policy issues - trade negotiations, climate change, human rights and even an outline of her thoughts on how to administer outer space.
But the impact of the global pandemic and the diplomatic challenges and opportunities posed by it were a recurrent theme.
Ms.Mahuta said New Zealand had already committed to protecting more than 1 million Pacific Islanders from Covid-19, as well as reprioritising $120m to support Pacific economies devastated by the impact of the pandemic on trade and tourism.
"We will support each island nation's ambition to chart their own development pathway in conjunction with our common commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals," she said.
"Over time it is my intention to strengthen the integration of this approach to our Overseas Development Assistance Framework."
"Other actors" were starting to play a role in the Pacific, she said, and New Zealand needed to work in partnership with island nations to develop programmes to help them recover following Covid-19.
"There is a lot we do not know for certain about Covid's trajectory, but its effects on societies and governments will compound over time.
"We must learn to adjust our own foreign policy sails as we determine new directions."
The event was the 55th Foreign Policy School. It continues today, hosting sessions on topics such as small and middle state leadership, climate policy, and connections between trade and values and interests.
End of quote.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
