Why A Big Team Is Going To UN General Assembly
August 27th, 2009
NZ will mount its heaviest political presence in years at the opening of the UN General Assembly next month. John Key will lead the delegation and give NZ’s address. Foreign Minister Murray McCully will be there for a meeting of Commonwealth Foreign Ministers as well as attending a CMAG meeting on Fiji, while Tim Groser will attend a climate change meeting. In two of the last 4 years, NZ has not been represented by a Minister at the annual General Assemby because it coincided with general elections here. President Barack Obama will host the traditional presidential reception for leaders and heads of delegations, and there may be also an opportunity for a “pull-aside” for Key. With other world leaders on hand, Key will be able to engage in discussions on a wide range of issues.
The CMAG meeting will determine Fiji’s future in the Commonwealth, as it is only “suspended” at present from attending Commonwealth councils. Full suspension will see its ejection. Despite the Pacific Islands Forum’s unified stand last week against the military Govt in Fiji, Melanesian members are pressing ahead with informal links. Vanuatu PM Edward Natapel wants to bring together the regime, Fiji’s Great Council of Chiefs, churches and civil society for dialogue on the way ahead. In a rebuff to the PIF he says island Govts should continue to engage with the regime.
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Duncan Cotterill