Defence and Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins is off to Singapore today for defence and technology summits and meetings.
Minister Collin’s first stop is the Asia Tech X Singapore Summit, followed by the Five Power Defence Arrangements Defence Ministers Meeting, and finally the Shangri-La Dialogue for Defence Ministers from the Indo-Pacific region.
This follows her recent trip to Europe in April to meet with defence counterparts in the UK and Italy, and to attend Battle of Cassino commemorations. While in the UK, she also visited a British Army military base to meet New Zealand Defence Force Personnel training Ukrainian recruits to fight against Russia’s invasion.
“Our relationship with Singapore is particularly valued. Through our existing joint research programmes, we have leveraged complementary strengths and helped drive innovation and growth opportunities.”
“I am looking forward to engaging with Ministers from around the globe to share views of security in the region and beyond, and to also take the opportunity to be involved in discussions on the latest technology developments,” said Ms Collins of her upcoming trip.
“Cooperation through the Five Power Defence Arrangements continues to form an important component of New Zealand’s defence relationship with Malaysia, Singapore, Australia and the United Kingdom. This face-to-face meeting is an opportunity to discuss regional cooperation and enhance interoperability.”
During the Shangri-La Dialogue – the leading forum for Defence Ministers in the Indo-Pacific region – Ms Collins will also meet a range of counterparts and join a panel discussion on connecting Indian Ocean and Pacific security.
While attending the Asia Tech X Singapore Summit she will participate in a dialogue session with other Ministers from the Forum of Small Island States, hosted by Singapore’s Minister for Communications and Information Josephine Teo.
“Our relationship with Singapore is particularly valued. Through our existing joint research programmes, we have leveraged complementary strengths and helped drive innovation and growth opportunities,” said Ms Collins.
“I look forward to meeting with my Singaporean ministerial colleagues to discuss how we can deepen cooperation through the New Zealand-Singapore Enhanced Partnership, as agreed by the Prime Ministers of both countries last month.”
Ms Collins will return to New Zealand on Monday 3 June.
