Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – New Zealand on July 13 expressed strong support for the efforts of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in maintaining the region as a nuclear-weapon-free zone, affirming that the Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Treaty remains a key pillar of regional peace and security.
New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters made the statement on the sidelines of the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM-58) and related meetings, reported Malaysia’s Bernama news agency.
Peters said the treaty, which came into effect in 1997, is “a tangible demonstration of ASEAN's deep-rooted wish" to prevent nuclear escalation, especially as nuclear-armed states continue to modernise and expand their arsenals amid growing global tensions.
As a state party to the Treaty of Rarotonga, which established the South Pacific nuclear-free zone, New Zealand also supports other nuclear weapon-free zones and appreciates their importance in contributing to regional peace and security, he said.
Peters said New Zealand views SEANWFZ as part of a broader network of nuclear weapon-free zones across the southern hemisphere, including in Latin America, Africa, and the South Pacific. He stressed the importance of these zones in reinforcing global disarmament norms, especially at a time when strategic uncertainties are intensifying.
On regional disaster cooperation, Peters reaffirmed Wellington's commitment to actively working with ASEAN countries to strengthen early warning systems, disaster preparedness, and post-crisis recovery efforts. He said New Zealand's National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) maintains regular engagement with its regional counterparts and takes part in various regional platforms, including the APEC Senior Disaster Management Officials Forum.
Peters noted that New Zealand has contributed over 5 million NZD (3.05 million USD) in financial and technical support to the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management (AHA Centre). He added that New Zealand experts have led training for ASEAN member states on hazard response and crisis leadership.
He also highlighted cooperation with Malaysia on halal trade, noting that New Zealand remains a reliable supplier of high-quality halal food products and is working closely with Malaysian authorities to refresh their Halal Implementing Arrangement.
Peters had led New Zealand’s delegation to several high-level sessions at the event, including the ASEAN–New Zealand Post Ministerial Conference, the 15th East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, and the 32nd ASEAN Regional Foreign Ministers’ Meeting./.
