Activities of Secretary-General in New Zealand, 5-7 September
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, accompanied by Madam Ban Soon‑taek, arrived in Auckland late on the evening of Monday, 5 September, after a flight from Tarawa, Kiribati.
The next morning, the Secretary-General had a range of bilateral meetings with leaders attending the Pacific Islands Forum summit in Auckland. He held talks with Ano Pala, the Foreign Minister of Papua New Guinea; Lord Tu’ivakano, the Prime Minister of Tonga; and Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaol, the Prime Minister of Samoa. Central themes in these discussions included climate change and women’s empowerment.
Next, the Secretary-General delivered a speech at the University of Auckland entitled “New Zealand and the World: Sustainability and Security in a Time of Global Transition”. He also took questions from students. After the address, the Secretary-General, accompanied by Mrs. Ban, attended a lunch hosted by the Chancellor of the University, Roger France. (See Press Release SG/SM/13776)
The Secretary-General then had a bilateral meeting with the host of the Pacific Islands Forum summit, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, John Key. They discussed sustainable development and climate change, women’s empowerment, the Forum and developments in the Middle East and North Africa. The Secretary-General thanked the Prime Minister for New Zealand’s long-standing support for the United Nations.
He then attended a round table with New Zealand media.
Following this, the Secretary-General met Tuiloma Neroni Slade, the Secretary-General of the Pacific Islands Forum.
That evening, the Secretary-General and Madam Ban attended a traditional Maori welcoming ceremony, at Auckland War Memorial Museum, for leaders attending the Forum. They later made a courtesy call on Jerry Mateparae, Governor-General of New Zealand, and Janine Mateparae. This was followed by dinner hosted by the Governor-General.
The next morning, the Secretary-General met with Marcus Stephen, President of Nauru.
The Secretary-General, accompanied by Madam Ban, then attended the opening ceremony for the Forum at a new venue known as The Cloud, on Auckland’s Queens Wharf. He then joined Pacific Island leaders for a special interactive dialogue at the nearby Forum venue and then lunch.
The Secretary-General outlined the content of the discussions during a joint press conference with Prime Minister Key.
Next, the Secretary-General held a bilateral meeting with Murray McCully, the Foreign Minister of New Zealand. Among other matters, they discussed regional issues, including the Middle East and North Africa, Fiji and Sri Lanka.
The Secretary-General later met Phil Goff, Leader of the Opposition.
The Secretary-General, accompanied by Madam Ban, departed for Sydney, Australia, on Wednesday afternoon, 7 September.