Hon Tim Groser

Minister of Trade

Minister Responsible for International Climate Change Negotiations

21 June 2011

Media Statement

Groser To Visit Europe and Asia

Tim Groser, Trade Minister and Minister responsible for International Climate Change Negotiations, departs tomorrow for Europe and Asia to attend trade and climate change related meetings.

On 24 June, Mr Groser will join Minister of Agriculture, David Carter in Rome for the Ministerial Summit of the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases. Mr Groser will chair the meeting while Mr Carter leads the NZ delegation. The Summit will mark the official launch of the Alliance, with its Charter expected to be signed by more than 30 countries.

“Agriculture is an important sector, making up 14% of global emissions. The Alliance brings together a range of countries to work on reducing emissions from livestock, cropping and rice production.”

“The signing of the Charter represents a critical milestone in the Alliance’s development.”

The Minister will then travel to New Delhi and Mumbai in his capacity as Minister of Trade, to support the Prime Minister’s visit and a 25-strong CEO business delegation.

Following India, he will return to Europe to attend the Petersberg Climate Dialogue in Berlin, Germany. This high-level gathering aims to give political guidance to the United Nations Climate Change negotiations in the lead up to the next major meeting, to be held in Durban, South Africa in December this year.

Minister Groser will then fly to Tokyo to attend the Third Japan New Zealand Partnership Forum. At the forum, senior government and business leaders will explore how Japan and New Zealand can meet the challenges of recovery from recent natural disasters. They will also exchange views on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement.

"I am looking forward to talking with my Japanese counterpart and Partnership Forum participants about the tremendous opportunities TPP will provide to boost regional economic growth".

Minister Groser will also travel to the Philippines where he will meet with the President and his Trade counterpart, and open the Philippines Australia New Zealand Business Forum. He will also hold meetings in support of New Zealand businesses, promoting trade growth in the region.

ENDS

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