New Zealand and Singapore forge stronger ties, aim to unite Pacific and Asia

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is signalling a commitment to a tighter alliance between the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

In 2027, New Zealand is set to host the PIF Leaders’ Meeting while Singapore will chair ASEAN.

Luxon says the two countries are laying the groundwork to bring the regions closer together.

“In the same way we look at ASEAN, I keep talking about the centrality of PIF as the convening body for pulling the Pacific together, ASEAN does the same role in Southeast Asia,” Luxon says.

After a recent dinner with Singapore’s Prime Minister, Lawrence Wong, Luxon revealed that they agreed to work together to bring the two bodies together in 2027.

Luxon points to countries like Papua New Guinea, which, while being part of the Pacific, also act as gateways to Asia.

ASEAN, which stands for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, is a regional intergovernmental organization of 11 Southeast Asian countries. Photo/PMN News/Ala Vailala

“[Bringing the two bodies together] creates opportunities for the Pacific Island nations in terms of growth and development, and likewise opportunities for ASEAN countries to support development in the Pacific as well,” Luxon says.

“So I think you'll see, with the leadership of New Zealand and Singapore, who are very good friends… we want to keep innovating because we both are free traders, but I think the two regions can come together more.”

The 47th ASEAN summit is currently being held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, bringing together its 10 member states: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Watch a summary of the ASEAN summit's day one below.

The ASEAN Summit was established in 1967 and is held biannually. It also includes dialogue partners like the United States, New Zealand, and Australia.

The combined population of the 10 ASEAN member countries is 678 million, with a gross domestic product of US$3.9 trillion (NZ$6.7t), according to the Office of the United States Trade Representative.

Several member countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand, are dialogue partners. But they were excluded from this year’s PIF Leaders’ Meeting due to a decision made by the host country, the Solomon Islands.

Prime Minister of Timor-Leste Xanana Gusmão speaking at the celebration of the country's admission to ASEAN. Photo/PMN News/Ala Vailala

This year also marks the inclusion of Timor-Leste as ASEAN’s 11th member since Cambodia’s admission in 1999. Timor-Leste is a Southeast Asian nation with a population of 1.4 million people and is an observer in the PIF.

With President Donald Trump attending this year’s ASEAN summit, many leaders will be seeking meetings with the global superpower. But for New Zealand, Luxon isn’t too fussed. “If it happens, it happens,” he says. “If it doesn’t, it doesn’t.”

Luxon will remain in Malaysia until Wednesday before travelling to the Republic of Korea for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.