KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has joined regional leaders and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon at the ASEAN–New Zealand Commemorative Summit in Kuala Lumpur, celebrating 50 years of diplomatic relations. The event reaffirmed the partnership between ASEAN and New Zealand under their new Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework, centered on peace, economic growth, and regional cooperation.
Prime Minister Anutin described the ASEAN–New Zealand relationship as one built on trust and shared values, calling for future cooperation under three pillars—security, prosperity, and people. The Thai Premier urged greater collaboration on maritime security, cybercrime prevention, disaster management, and public health preparedness, while expressing support for humanitarian assistance in Myanmar to help create conditions for dialogue and stability.
On economic cooperation, Anutin proposed establishing an ASEAN–New Zealand Business Leaders’ Summit to boost trade, investment, and regional connectivity through both physical and digital channels. He also called for enhanced cooperation on green development, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, carbon credit systems, and climate adaptation, following the successful ASEAN–New Zealand Green Agenda Roundtable hosted by Thailand.
Supporting people-centered development, Prime Minister Anutin encouraged educational exchanges and youth cooperation to strengthen long-term ties between ASEAN and New Zealand. Thailand also voiced support for creating an ASEAN–New Zealand Center to promote knowledge sharing and regional understanding.
The summit concluded with a luncheon, marking five decades of ASEAN–New Zealand partnership and a shared vision for regional security, inclusive growth, and sustainable progress in the years ahead. (NNT)
