International organisations are vital to our work
As the Government’s lead advisor on foreign affairs and trade, we work with many international and multilateral organisations and regional forums.
UN Security Council
New Zealand has a seat on this council. Its primary responsibility is the maintenance of international peace and security.
UN Framework Climate Change Conference
This framework is the parent treaty of the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, both of which aim to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere.
The Commonwealth
The Commonwealth of Nations was formed to maintain an association between countries that had once been part of the British colonies. It has 53 members.
ASEAN
New Zealand is building strong links with ASEAN - the political and economic community of 10 South-East Asian nations.
Pacific Islands Forum
This forum of 16 independent states aims to develop the economy and enhance political governance, security and cooperation within the Pacific.
APEC
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation is made up of 21 Pacific rim nations interested in promoting free trade in the region.
World Trade Organisation
The WTO helps New Zealand with major trade negotiations. We're one of 149 members that negotiate together to liberalise international trade and establish international trade rules.
More organisations
Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)(external link)
The OECD's members include many of the world's most advanced countries as well as emerging countries like Mexico, Chile and Turkey. Its mission is to promote policies that'll improve the economic and social well-being of people around the world, and it provides a forum in which governments can work together to share experiences and seek solutions to common problems.
New Zealand joined the OECD in 1973. The OECD provides us with access to high-quality comparative research and analysis, and offers a strong, independent source of material to assess best practice and how New Zealand might lift its performance.
While many government departments have regular direct contact with the OECD, MFAT has the overall lead and the New Zealand delegation to the OECD is part of the New Zealand Embassy in Paris.