Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today met with Malaysian Prime Minister, YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, with the pair expressing their mutual appreciation for enduring and warm bilateral ties over 67 years of diplomatic relations during Mr Luxon’s official visit to Malaysia.
“New Zealand and Malaysia have been friends for decades, so it was a pleasure to meet again with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim,” said PM Luxon.
“We’re both of one mind that our Governments must inject more energy into what we do together. We want our countries even more closely connected in 30 years’ time as we are today.”
In a joint statement released following their meeting today, the leaders recognised their cooperation under the four pillars (Prosperity, People, Planet, Peace and Security) of the Malaysia-New Zealand Strategic Partnership signed in 2023. They noted a mutual intent to continue to strengthen the relationship between Malaysia and New Zealand in ways that deliver real benefits and advance shared security and economic interests.
Their discussions included the topics of defence and security cooperation, trade and economic relations, people-to-people connections, climate change and disaster management.
The leaders said they valued ongoing close cooperation on countering terrorism, “preventing violent extremism, and combatting transnational organised crime, including through capacity building and two-way exchanges of experts”.
They welcomed a new bilateral cooperation arrangement which will underpin this engagement and directed officials to continue to explore opportunities for New Zealand and Malaysia to work together on strengthening social cohesion.
Prime Minister Anwar and Prime Minister Luxon also tasked officials to conduct a scoping exercise prior to the launching of a review of the Malaysia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (MNZFTA), to identify new areas and gaps which could be addressed under the review to enhance the bilateral economic relations. Trade Ministers will meet next year to co-chair a joint commission to progress recommendations for refreshing MNZFTA.
They welcomed the upgrade of the ASEAN Australia New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA) and the successful implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
“The two leaders acknowledged the strong collaboration between Malaysia and New Zealand through the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in advancing the Putrajaya Vision 2040, including through the implementation of the Aotearoa Plan of Action, aimed at fostering an open, dynamic, resilient and peaceful Asia-Pacific community by 2040, for the prosperity of all our people and future generations,” the joint statement reads.
They have committed to further eliminating unnecessary barriers to trade and working together to ensure exporters can fully utilise the comprehensive suite of free trade agreements between the two countries, with a view to increasing the value of two-way trade by 50% by 2030.
In this context, the Prime Ministers acknowledged ongoing work to conclude a bilateral Customs Mutual Recognition Arrangement which will allow trusted traders to enjoy expedited cross-border customs clearance in both countries.
They noted strong potential to further expand Halal and other trade between Malaysia and New Zealand. They also welcomed the pilot implementation of electronic certification for trade in both directions and said officials will continue interagency work to further increase market access for each other’s products, and to maintain compliance and reduce transaction costs for exporters.
Both leaders said they looked forward to having the relevant agencies on both sides work towards the conclusion of:
- the draft Export Plan for Fresh Fruit and Vegetables from Malaysia to New Zealand specifically for exportation of Malaysian Pineapples to New Zealand;
- a Dairy Implementing Arrangement, providing recognition of food safety system equivalence for dairy products;
- an upgraded Halal Implementing Arrangement; and
- an electronic certification Implementing Arrangement.
The Leaders noted the importance of working with partners to successfully respond to climate change and transition to a low carbon economy, saying Malaysia and New Zealand were both committed to the implementation of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) Clean Economy Agreement, including through the IPEF Cooperative Work Programmes, and, through the Asia-Pacific Carbon Markets Roundtable offers opportunities, to sharing experiences in carbon markets developments including in relation to voluntary markets, emissions trading schemes, and Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
Prime Minister Anwar and Prime Minister Luxon also exchanged views on regional and global developments.
Prime Minister Luxon acknowledged the role of Malaysia within ASEAN, including as Malaysia takes on the role of ASEAN Chair in 2025.
The Leaders reaffirmed their shared aspiration and common interest to promote and maintain a peaceful, prosperous and rules-based Indo-Pacific region underpinned by ASEAN-led mechanisms and agreed to strengthen ASEAN-New Zealand cooperation consistent with the objectives and principles set out in the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, including enhancing ASEAN Centrality, inclusiveness, openness, transparency, and respect for international law.
