The following is attributable to Spokesperson Ned Price:
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken welcomed New Zealand Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta to Washington, D.C. today and congratulated the Foreign Minister on New Zealand’s successful APEC Chairmanship in 2021. The Secretary and Foreign Minister reiterated our shared values and commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. The Secretary and the Foreign Minister discussed the global importance of acting on the climate crisis and underscored our close scientific cooperation in Antarctica. Secretary Blinken and Foreign Minister Mahuta also discussed New Zealand’s new Pacific Resilience approach to the region and coordinated efforts to support Pacific partners during the COVID-19 pandemic.
