NZ and the UN General Assembly

New Zealand reconfirmed its commitment to the United Nations at the 64th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) held in New York.

Prime Minister John Key led the New Zealand delegation to New York, where nearly a hundred other world leaders attended General Assembly opening week. 

During the General Debate, from 23-30 September 2009, leaders, Ministers and other heads of delegation delivered statements outlining their respective countries’ main interests in the United Nations. 

New Zealand has long been an advocate of the multilateral approach to world affairs and the Prime Minister formally confirmed New Zealand’s commitment to the UN during his address at the General Debate.    In addition, New Zealand confirmed its candidature for the UN Security Council for the term 2015-2016.     

Climate change was a particular focus of the UN General Assembly.  This included the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's Leaders' Summit.   Coming in the lead up to the Copenhagen climate change conference in December 2009, a number of high level events and meetings in New York were aimed at mobilising political will for a new global climate change agreement.   New Zealand called for greater international research effort on agricultural greenhouse gas emissions.    

Participation in the UN General Assembly also provided a significant opportunity for New Zealand to connect with world leaders,  take the temperature of the international community, and promote New Zealand and its interests to both UN and US audiences.

• Prime Minister's statement to the Opening of the 64th General Assembly (Beehive website)
• NZ pushes for Global Alliance on agricultural emissions (Beehive website)
• PM to attend UN General Assembly opening week (Beehive website)
• Groser to New York for climate change meetings (Beehive website)
• Climate Change
• New Zealand and the United Nations