Visit by New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern - Apr 2022

The Right Honourable Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of New Zealand, received a ceremonial welcome at the Istana this morning and had a new orchid hybrid, the Dendrobium Jacinda Ardern, named in her honour. Prime Minister Ardern called on President Halimah Yacob and Prime Minister Lee. The two Prime Ministers held a Joint Press Conference before adjourning for an Official Lunch hosted by Prime Minister Lee.

Prime Minister Lee and Prime Minister Ardern reaffirmed the warm and excellent bilateral relations, which were upgraded to an Enhanced Partnership (EP) during Prime Minister Ardern’s last visit in 2019. The Prime Ministers were pleased with the good progress made under the EP across the four pillars of trade and economics, security and defence, science, technology and innovation, as well as people-to-people ties. They also welcomed the close cooperation between Singapore and New Zealand during the COVID-19 pandemic, including an air freight connectivity partnership that brought food supplies into Singapore and sent essential medical supplies to New Zealand.

The Prime Ministers agreed to explore new areas of cooperation to keep the EP forward-looking. They announced the establishment of a new pillar on “climate change and green economy” under the EP, which reflects the ongoing cooperation in this important area and the joint commitment to pursue closer collaboration. The Prime Ministers also welcomed the establishment of initiatives on sustainable aviation, business collaboration and supply chain resilience.

The Prime Ministers welcomed the timely launch of the Vaccinated Travel Framework by Singapore from 1 April 2022, and New Zealand’s reopening of borders to visa-free countries, including Singapore, from 1 May 2022. The establishment of a bilateral Working Holiday Scheme will allow young Singaporeans and New Zealanders to travel and work in each other’s countries.

The Prime Ministers also exchanged views on key regional and international developments. They agreed on the importance of international law and the principles enshrined in the UN Charter. Both leaders strongly condemned the invasion of Ukraine by Russia and called on all parties to facilitate unhindered humanitarian assistance to those in need in Ukraine.

(MCI Photos by Terence Tan)