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Stopping the spread of weapons of mass destruction and the materials that are used to make them is a global concern. The Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) was established five years ago to advance international cooperation to stop illicit shipments of weapons of mass destruction, their delivery systems, and related materials. New Zealand has been a participant in this initiative for four years and is a member of the PSI's 20-strong steering group. Our participation helps keep New Zealand safe by deterring would-be traffickers from sourcing or transporting weapons of mass destruction and related materials from or through our country or region.
The fifth anniversary of the PSI is being marked with a high level meeting in Washington DC between 28-29 May 2008, where the PSI's successes and future challenges will be discussed by over 90 countries or states that support the Initiative. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade will lead an inter-agency delegation and will give presentations at the meeting and at a workshop being held as part of the anniversary to provide information to countries that have yet to endorse the Initiative. These countries will be able to gain an insight into the technical assistance, information sharing, informed discussions, and participation in international PSI training exercises that comes with being part of the PSI.
PSI exercises help supporting countries work together in a more coordinated manner to stop, search and seize illicit shipments before and after they leave for their destination. In September New Zealand will host an exercise, Exercise Maru, that will test our ability to halt a weapons of mass destruction-related shipment transiting across New Zealand borders and will also test post-seizure systems. New Zealand will welcome a number of fellow PSI-supporting countries to Auckland to participate in the exercise, as well as observers from the Asia-Pacific region. Hosting the exercise is one way that New Zealand can help prevent weapons of mass destruction proliferation in our region and contribute to a safer world.
