Washington DC, May 17 2011

The US NZ Council in Washington and the NZ US Council in Auckland have unveiled a joint plan to guide their co-operation over the next three years.

At the Annual Meeting of the US NZ Council held in Washington DC on May 17, the two Councils agreed a Joint Statement on Future Direction and Co-operation.

US NZ Council President John Mullen and NZ US Council Executive Director Stephen Jacobi who attended the Washington meeting said the joint statement built on the success of the recent US NZ Partnership Forum.

“Our two Councils have been partners for progress in the relationship for the last decade and the success of the US NZ partnership today reflects the work of both governments and their supporters outside government, ” said Mr Mullen.

“The relationship is at an all time high and this new expression of our alliance will help guide us in the next period as we consolidate the gains we have made and move towards the completion of the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) as the center-piece of our economic interaction”.

The Joint Statement covers five areas where the two Councils will work together intentionally:

• Building on the momentum of the Partnership Forum to strengthen US/NZ co-operation across the board incorporating the views of the next generation of leaders
• Fostering closer economic ties through two-way trade, investment and innovation
• Supporting the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) as a high standard model trade agreement for the 21st century
• Collaborating within APEC particularly in the areas of trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, food security, enhancement of regional supply chains, harmonization of customs practices and pursuing regulatory coherence and co-operation
• Advancing a strong regional alliance, particularly in the areas of nuclear non-proliferation, sustainable economic development, climate change and emergency preparedness and response.

“These priority work areas complement the two governments’ blueprint for the future of relationship enshrined in the “Wellington Declaration,” said Mr Jacobi.

“The joint statement provides a framework within which we can more effectively co-operate with the work of governments and take forward the priority areas of linkage described in the “Pacific Partners” report issued at the Partnership Forum.”

The two Councils will remain separate organizations with separate governance structures and funding streams. Reports on achievements under the five strategic priorities will be reported at regular intervals to the Councils’ respective boards and stakeholders.

ENDS

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