Comings and goings – McClay heads for Abu Dhabi while our leaders prepare to welcome Indonesia Vice-president
Not too long after we posted Geoffrey Miller’s article about the challenge facing Trade Minister Todd McClay in Abu Dhabi, the minister announced he will be travelling today to attend the 13th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organisation where he will take up his role as Vice Chair of the negotiations.
The government’s official website today also features news that Indonesian Vice President Ma’ruf will visit New Zealand next week.
And Judith Collins, who yesterday was in Sydney as Minister for Digitising Government to attend the first Data and Digital Ministers’ Meeting of 2024, presumably is back in the capital.
As Attorney-General, she has announced an appointment round for King’s Counsel will take place this year and, as Minister of Defence, she thanked the retiring Chief of Navy for his service.
Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard, meanswhile, was announcing a $5 million boost to his department’s warchest for the fight against caulerpa, a fast-spreading exotic seaweed.
As Attorney-General, she has announced an appointment round for King’s Counsel will take place this year and, as Minister of Defence, she thanked the retiring Chief of Navy for his service.
Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard, meanswhile, was announcing a $5 million boost to his department’s warchest for the fight against caulerpa, a fast-spreading exotic seaweed.
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23 FEBRUARY 2024
Trade Minister Todd McClay travels to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates for the 13th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) today, to take up his role as Vice Chair of the negotiations.
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced an appointment round for King’s Counsel will take place in 2024.
Defence Minister Judith Collins has thanked the Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral David Proctor, for his service as he retires from the Royal New Zealand Navy after 37 years.
Indonesia’s Vice President Ma’ruf Amin will visit New Zealand next week, the first here by an Indonesian leader since 2018, Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters has announced.
The battle to contain the fast-spreading exotic caulerpa seaweed has today received a $5 million boost to accelerate the development of removal techniques, says Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard.
In his press release, Todd McClay said the WTO Ministerial Conference is the highest decision-making body within the organization and meets every two years. Trade ministers will negotiate the reform of agriculture trade rules, E-commerce, fisheries subsidies, and the dispute settlement resolution system during the conference, which runs from 26-29 February.
“As a small trading nation, New Zealand relies on the rules-based system to deliver for our exporters,” Mr McClay says.
“Against global economic challenges, New Zealand will be looking to influence outcomes that can enhance global food security and make progress on distortionary subsidies delivering for New Zealand exporters.”
This year, Mr McClay is also Facilitator of the WTO’s Work Programme on E-commerce.
“I’m honoured to accept this role and will be working hard with all WTO members to achieve a positive outcome across the range of issues in play at MC13. New Zealand remains committed to strengthening the role of the multilateral rules-based trading system in the global digital economy,” Mr McClay says.
While at the WTO Minister McClay will hold around 20 bilateral and country specific meetings including with China, the European Union, India, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Announcing the visit here by Indonesia’s Vice President Ma’ruf Amin, Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters said Indonesia is the largest country and economy in South East Asia and a key partner for New Zealand in the Indo-Pacific.
Annual two-way trade with Indonesia is worth almost $3.3 billion and halal exports comprise nearly half of that.
“Indonesia is a growing powerhouse in South East Asia, and is increasingly influential globally.
“As the world’s fourth-largest country, and by 2030 projected to be one of the world’s ten largest economies, there is further room for our bilateral trade to grow,” Mr Peters says.
Among the other issues to be discussed with the Vice President, will be the continued concern for the New Zealand citizen held hostage in Papua, Phillip Mehrtens.
The Vice President will have programmes in Auckland and Wellington – including meetings with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Peters.
Point of Order is a blog focused on politics and the economy run by veteran newspaper reporters Bob Edlin and Ian Templeton
1 comment:
Can I confidentially email Mr David Lillis.
I have a personal story I would like to send him.
Thank you
Suzanne
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