The Right Honourable Prime Minister Christopher Luxon,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Once again, a very warm welcome to Prime Minister Luxon and his delegation to Singapore. I still remember fondly my visit to Auckland last October and I am very happy to be able to return the hospitality this time.
Since our last meeting, the world has become much more unsettled.
The conflict in the Middle East is disrupting energy markets and supply chains. And countries like ours – small, open and trade-dependent – feel these shocks most directly.
And that is why this visit is so important.
Singapore and New Zealand share many strategic perspectives – we have long seen the world in similar ways. We believe in openness and cooperation. Over the years, we have built a deep reservoir of trust. And we do not just speak about principles; we act on them.
And that is how we helped pioneer agreements like the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership or P4, which laid the foundations for the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership or CPTPP.
We launched the world’s first plurilateral Digital Economy Partnership Agreement. And more recently, the Green Economy Partnership Agreement.
So each time, we have broken new ground. We do not just wait for consensus to happen. We, our two countries, are prepared to move ahead first. We do not just follow the rules – although we do, we are always the ones who follow the rules. But, we proactively work together to shape new rules at the same time, and today, we are taking another step forward.
We have just signed a new agreement on supply chain resilience – the Agreement on Trade in Essential Supplies.
This is the first agreement of its kind for both our countries – and also globally. And it marks another breakthrough, and sends a clear signal: even under strain, trusted partners will keep faith with one another.
It means that even in time of crisis or shortages, we will keep essential goods flowing – food, fuel, and other critical supplies. We will not shut each other out. And instead, we will work actively to keep trade moving.
This matters, because in difficult times, every country will be tempted to look inward. But when that happens, supply chains break down and everyone ends up worse off.
So this agreement is our answer. It is a commitment that we will do things differently – that we will keep markets open, keep essential goods flowing, and stand by one other, especially when it matters most.
This Agreement is part of our broader Comprehensive Strategic Partnership or CSP.
And this morning, Prime Minister Luxon and I discussed how we are taking our cooperation forward under the CSP.
First, we welcomed the Singapore-New Zealand Leadership Forum happening today. It brings together senior business leaders from both sides, and both Prime Minister Luxon and I encourage the CEOs to build new partnerships and seize opportunities in our region.
Second, we continue to deepen our defence and security ties. Singapore values New Zealand’s longstanding support for the Singapore Armed Force’s training in Waiouru, and we will likewise continue to support the New Zealand Defence Force’s access in and through Singapore. We are also working together in newer areas, including in unmanned technologies. These will benefit the professional development of both our armed forces.
Third, we are strengthening cooperation in critical areas like healthcare and food supply. We are sharing lessons from Covid-19 to be more prepared for future pandemics. And we are making it easier and more efficient to trade food and primary products.
And finally, we continue to invest in people-to-people ties – in education, culture and professional exchanges, including between our judiciary, teachers and civil servants. These important human connections give our relationship more depth and resilience.
Of course, beyond our bilateral ties, our two countries also work together closely on the wider stage. Both countries believe in an open, rules-based international system – especially at a time when it is under strain. And as fellow founding members of the Future of Investment and Trade Partnership, we will push to keep trade open, rules clear, and supply chains dependable.
I also welcome New Zealand’s upgrading of its relations with ASEAN to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Next year, Singapore will chair ASEAN. New Zealand will chair the Pacific Islands Forum. That gives us a good opportunity to bring our regions closer together and strengthen cooperation across a wider area.
In these uncertain times, partnerships like this become even more important. We may be small countries, at least in terms of population, but we have agency. And when we work together – with clarity, with purpose, and with trust – we can shape outcomes together, turn challenges into opportunities, and bring benefits to our peoples.
So, Prime Minister Luxon, Chris, my good friend, thank you for the fruitful and excellent discussions today, and I wish you a very fruitful visit to Singapore. Thank you very much.
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