Photo: Lillian Hanly / RNZ
"It's just important to be in the room," says the head of the Asia New Zealand Foundation, as the prime minister heads into meetings with other Indo-Pacific leaders on Monday and attends the 20th East Asia Summit (EAS).
Chief executive Suzannah Jessep said economic and security summits underway this week are important for the region's stability and prosperity.
It's even more important this year, she said, because the region is "under significant strain" and major world leaders will be in attendance.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is in Malaysia to attend the EAS alongside Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries and partners. Later this week, he will attend APEC in South Korea, where US President Donald Trump and China's President Xi Jinping were scheduled to meet.
Speaking to RNZ before departing on the trip, Luxon said his focus was to strengthen New Zealand's trading relationships in the Indo-Pacific, diversifying the country's economic opportunities in an environment of global instability.
The annual EAS brings together ASEAN member countries such as Malaysia (hosting this year), Thailand, Singapore, Laos and so on, as well as partner countries such as the US, China, India, Australia and New Zealand.
Trump is attending the EAS, while China is being represented by Premier Li Qiang. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, the new Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will also be attending.
Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak will represent Russia and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will join virtually. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney was expected to be in Kuala Lumpur too.
Jessep told RNZ these meetings are an opportunity for the prime minister to discuss with his counterparts regional stability and security, and advance "rulemaking" that "helps to keep markets connected".
"Turning up is the first thing - that's really important. There is no faster way to speed up the erosion of regional roles in architecture than abandoning them," so getting leaders into a room for discussions was important.
Being in the same room meant there were opportunities to "advance matters that attain to the region's stability".
She used the peace deal signed between Thailand and Cambodia at the summit - ending a border dispute - as an example, as well as trade outcomes that could have ramifications for New Zealand's economy.
It was "just important to be in the room" she said, as well as an opportunity for New Zealand to have its interests heard.
"We want to be a fairly practical pragmatic voice in the region."
Photo: Lillian Hanly / RNZ
Jessep spoke about a region "under significant strain", referencing conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan and elsewhere which were "grabbing headlines." But she also said there were tension points "closer to home" across Southeast Asia.
Malaysia as host country would be wanting to draw decision makers and leaders into the region to show ASEAN had a real voice and say in regional and global stability, she said.
As well, she indicated southeast Asian countries would be concerned their region could become a theatre of "worsening US-China competition".
US tariffs will be high on the agenda as part of the summit, amidst the continuing fallout of Trump's 'Liberation Day'. The United States imposed a 15 percent tariff on New Zealand exports in August, which remained in place.
Tariffs for Laos and Myanmar sit at 40 percent, while other ASEAN countries face between 10 and 20 percent tariffs. China has since retaliated by tightening export restrictions on rare earth minerals, which will also likely be discussed at the summit.
Having major leaders like Trump and Xi Jinping turn up to these summits was really important, she said, and Jessep hoped the smaller and middle-sized countries could have their voices heard. She acknowledged there may not be a specific outcome sought, but the summits were taking place in a context of "heightened tension", in regards to both security and trade.
She pointed to New Zealand's "proud history" of being a "rule shaper and builder of trade architecture," and in both forums, New Zealand had "quite a bit to offer."
Looking ahead to APEC, she considered the significance of a potential trade deal between the US and China being secured, which would have an impact across the region. Moreover, the US and Canada may also reach an agreement she pointed out.
Jessep admitted there was a time she thought the economic forum had "largely served its purpose," due to trade being largely uncomplicated for the last 70 odd years. Now the region was facing greater uncertainty, a larger number of conflicts, and more assertive and disruptive styles of government she explained.
"They're sort of 'nice to have' in peacetime, but become more critical when the region is under pressure."
With tariffs and "all the eruptions and challenges facing global trade" she believed there'd be a resurgence in interest in APEC as a body that was trying to promote trade and investment, connect businesses and develop economic and technical cooperation.
"We may see a slight sort of resurgence in APEC, just because countries are so much in need of organisations and roles that will help glue - rather than tear apart - trade relations," said Jessep.
She said the attendance list for the event in South Korea was a "vote in favour" of APEC, and that was a good sign.
Luxon will be in Kuala Lumpur for two days, before travelling to South Korea. As part of the EAS this year, there will be commemorations for 50 years of ASEAN-New Zealand relations.
New Zealand will also finalise a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with ASEAN itself.
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