Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has reaffirmed Malaysia’s commitment to strengthening ASEAN’s longstanding partnership with New Zealand, calling it a bond built on trust, mutual respect, and shared prosperity. The remarks came during a commemorative summit celebrating 50 years of diplomatic relations and economic cooperation between ASEAN and New Zealand.
Speaking at a luncheon attended by ASEAN leaders and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Anwar expressed his deep appreciation for New Zealand’s steadfast friendship and enduring engagement in the region.
“We have been together for 50 years… we consider you a great friend, a great team, and I have no doubt that our colleagues in ASEAN share the same sentiment,” Anwar said warmly during his speech.
Malaysia and New Zealand are now working towards concluding the review of the Malaysia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (MNZFTA) by the end of 2025 — a pact originally signed 16 years ago that has played a crucial role in fostering trade and investment between both nations.
New Zealand, a key Dialogue Partner of ASEAN, also participated in the signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in 2020 — the world’s largest free trade agreement that connects major economies across the Asia-Pacific.
According to the ASEAN Secretariat, two-way trade between ASEAN and New Zealand reached US$12.66 billion (RM53.1 billion) in 2024, with ASEAN standing as New Zealand’s third-largest trading partner, representing 10% of its total trade volume in 2023.
During the summit, Prime Minister Luxon held a closed-door session with ASEAN leaders, where a regional air services agreement was among the key agenda items discussed. In his address, Luxon emphasized the importance of unity and continued engagement amid global uncertainty.
“Together, our cooperation makes each other more prosperous and more secure in a challenging world. We base our relations on peace, partnership, and respect,” Luxon said.
“Dialogue is essential for enhancing understanding and bridging differences. Under our comprehensive strategic partnership, we will meet formally as leaders every two years.”
This renewed commitment marks a promising future for ASEAN–New Zealand relations, strengthening not only trade and diplomacy but also people-to-people connections built on decades of mutual understanding.
In an era where alliances define stability and progress, partnerships like these remind us that collaboration—not competition—shapes the pathway toward shared prosperity.
