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Chairing CPTPP gave New Zealand an opportunity to influence the direction and implementation of one of our most important trade agreements.
Throughout our hosting year we looked to reflect the interests of all New Zealanders. We worked closely with Treaty partners, businesses, exporters, civil society and the public to achieve this.
Our objectives included: advancing ratifications and accessions to the Agreement; effective and improved implementation of CPTPP; promoting trade that’s sustainable and benefits all people, with a focus on indigenous trade; and delivering a high quality experience to our international guests and showcasing New Zealand to CPTPP economies.
Find out more about New Zealand's objectives for CPTPP in 2023.
CPTPP Commission Meeting
The centrepiece of New Zealand’s host year was the 7th CPTPP Commission Meeting held on 16 July in Auckland attended by Trade Ministers, officials and media from CPTPP economies.
During the Commission we formally welcomed the United Kingdom, a G7 member and the world’s sixth largest economy, as the newest member of the CPTPP.
The United Kingdom’s accession was a major milestone, showing the appeal of the Agreement to other economies in the region and beyond. It was also a recognition of the Agreement’s importance as a critical piece of regional trade architecture.
CPTPP now spans 12 economies — Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, United Kingdom, and Viet Nam — which increases CPTPP members’ collective global share of GDP to 14.6%.
The Commission Meeting [PDF, 527 KB] was an opportunity to work with the CPTPP membership to further regional economic integration and promote trade that delivers economic opportunity and prosperity.
General Review
During New Zealand’s host year, CPTPP members have agreed terms of reference for the CPTPP General Review, which will help ensure the Agreement remains dynamic and attractive to other economies.
There is a commitment to modernising CPTPP especially on digital trade, environment and climate change, and inclusive trade.
The Review will also focus on ensuring the benefits of CPTPP are fully realised, especially for SMEs (small and medium enterprises).
New Zealand used its host year to promote indigenous trade. New Zealand also, worked with members to ensure that the Agreement remains relevant to the trade and investment issues we collectively face, and developing practical initiatives that deliver gains for exporters.
To this end, Ministers agreed at the Commission to establish an ad-hoc working group under Chapter 5 (Business Facilitation) of the Agreement which aims to cut the red-tape for businesses operating under the CPTPP.
The fifth Senior Officials Meeting in Queenstown in December marked the end of New Zealand’s year as CPTPP Chair, with Canada taking over as Chair in 2024.
Key dates
| Date | Meeting |
|---|---|
| 21 February | 1st Senior Officials Meeting |
| 18-19 April | 2nd Senior Officials Meeting |
| 13 July | 3rd Senior Officials Meeting |
| 15-16 July | Ministerial-Level Commission Meeting |
| 4 October | 4th Senior Officials Meeting |
| 11-12 December | 5th Senior Officials Meeting |
Meeting summaries
- Read a summary of the 1st Senior Officials meeting held in February.
- Read a summary of the 2nd Senior Officials meeting held in April.
- Read a summary of the 3rd Senior Officials meeting held in July.
- Read a summary of the 7th CPTPP Ministerial-Level Commission meeting held in July.
- Read a summary of the 4th Senior Officials meeting held in October.
- Read a summary of the 5th Senior Officials meeting held in December.