New Zealand will be represented by caretaker Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and caretaker Minister for Trade and Investment Todd McClay at the annual APEC Leaders' Meeting in China.
The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is a regional economic forum bringing leaders and ministers from across the Indo Pacific together to discuss issues important to the country's security and prosperity.
This year, it has been announced Luxon and McClay would attend APEC Leaders' Meeting in Shenzhen on November 18 and 19, which "provides an opportunity to advocate for practical steps that make trade easier and less costly".
Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters would attend the East Asia Summit in Manila, Philippines on November 16 and 17.
The East Asia Summit was the region's premier forum for dialogue on political, strategic and economic issues.
APEC economies purchase 75% of New Zealand’s exports and this year’s host, China, was New Zealand’s largest trading partner.
New Zealand would participate in these meetings in line with the caretaker government convention, in consultation with the Opposition.
In 2023, New Zealand was in a similar position regarding APEC attendance while National, ACT and New Zealand First were in coalition talks.
At the time, outoing Labour Trade Minister Damien O’Connor attended the summit instead as the coalition negotiations dragged on.
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