NZ at the UN

Representatives of Pacific Island Forum members met with the UN Secretary General today, on the sidelines of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) to discuss key issues of importance to the Pacific, including gender equality, climate change, and UN reform 🪸🇺🇳

As a Pacific nation, New Zealand is firmly committed to addressing sea-level rise. At the consultations on the UN political declaration on sea-level rise, we emphasised the importance of science, legal stability and Pacific Islands Forum leadership, and for solutions to this critical issue to be led by communities and countries that are most impacted 🌏🌊 Read the full statement here ➡️bit.ly/4d44rWC

🇳🇿🇯🇲 We welcome IAHWG members constructive engagement this week on Rev.1 of the 'Mandate Creation, Implementation, and Review for an Efficient and Effective UN' resolution. We will continue to strive for consensus and are committed to transparency and delivering pragmatic outcomes, ahead of the 31 March deadline. Read the Co-Chairs remarks and more about the Concept Note proposal here ➡️bit.ly/47fpou2

The work of the Informal Ad Hoc Working Group under UN80 offers a key opportunity to make the @UN more effective, efficient and inclusive.

Our Embassies in the Middle East are closely monitoring the situation and will continue to provide support to New Zealanders. If you require urgent consular assistance, please call the New Zealand 24/7 Consular Emergency Line on +64 99 20 20 20. Find info at mfat.govt.nz/middle-east

Grateful to IAHWG members and USG Ryder on their participation at the 25 March briefing by 🇯🇲🇳🇿 co-chairs on Rev.1 of the GA resolution on mandate creation, implementation, and review. Consultations continue on 3 March 🇺🇳 Watch the briefing and download the revised draft resolution here ➡️bit.ly/4cfAQcv

Four years since Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine, 🇳🇿 stands firm. Today at the UN General Assembly, we co-sponsored and voted for a resolution reaffirming our unwavering support for Ukraine and for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in line with the UN Charter and international law. Read the full statement here ➡️bit.ly/3ZXgAFf

🇳🇿 has supported mine action in🇰🇭for 30+ years. Through Clearing for Results Phase4, NZD 10M helped clear 48 km², benefit 95,000 people & provide rehab services to 12,700+ mine/ERW survivors. The NZ–@UNDP🤝continues to turn cleared land into safety & opportunity for communities.

That’s a wrap! Ambassador Schwalger 🇳🇿 and Ambassador Wallace 🇯🇲 have been hosting hybrid workshops on the zero draft of the 'Mandate Creation, Implementation and Review for an Effective United Nations' resolution 🗒️ Taking place in the Dag Hammarskjöld Library, Member States were provided an opportunity to share their perspectives on the zero draft, while listening to the perspectives of others 🔄

The Minister met today with five senior New Zealand diplomats to wish them well ahead of taking up Head of Mission roles over the next few months: Victoria Hallum (UN Permanent Representative in New York), Jane Coombs (Berlin), Raylene Liufalani (Bangkok), Georgina Roberts (Port Moresby) and Aramiro Tai Rākena (Brasilia). 🇳🇿🌏 @MFATNZ

Ambassador Schwalger gave opening remarks at today's BBNJ briefing for new UN delegates, here at the NZ Mission 🌊🇳🇿 Read more about this vital agreement, which addresses important marine biodiversity issues here ➡️un.org/bbnjagreement/…

ITU DSG @tlamanauskas was pleased to meet with Amb. @CSchwalgerNZ of @NZUN 🇳🇿and Wendi-Ann Williams of @JaMissionUN 🇯🇲this week to discuss @ITU’s engagement in the UN80 Mandate Implementation Review.

Building capacity for UN military planners in New York💬🌍 The NZ Permanent Representative opened a UN Military Planning Workshop today, coordinated by the @NZDefenceForce

Today is Waitangi Day in New Zealand. February 6th marks the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi – the Treaty of Waitangi, between Māori Chiefs and the British Crown. The nine original sheets of Te Tiriti o Waitangi are housed by the @NLNZ. Read more about Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the history behind it: natlib.govt.nz/he-tohu 📸of Te Tiriti: Mark Beatty/National Library of New Zealand.

On 29 January, Ambassador Schwalger spoke at the ECOSOC Coordination Segment, in her capacity as co-chair 🇳🇿🇯🇲 of the Informal Ad-Hoc Working Group on Mandate Review, about how this links to the upcoming ECOSOC Review. It is critically important for UN Member States to consider how we can enhance the functions and impact of the UN in these challenging political times 🇺🇳

Pleasure to meet with New Zealand’s Deputy Permanent Representative Anthony Simpson. @UNFPA appreciates our steadfast partnership and New Zealand’s global leadership in advancing multilateral cooperation, including on sexual and reproductive health and rights.

History has shown that prosperity and security is served by respect for the international rule of law, not retreat from it. Read NZ’s statement to the UN Security Council on 26 January here➡️ bit.ly/49T49ig

In September this year, New Zealand, along with Jamaica, were selected to co-chair the General Assembly’s Informal Ad Hoc Working Group (IAHWG) on the Mandate Implementation Review, a reform process which seeks to strengthen how UN mandates are created, delivered, and reviewed. This work is part of the UN80 Initiative, launched by the Secretary-General of the UN to build a strong, more effective UN 🇺🇳 After a busy few months of consultations with Working Group members, on December 11, the Co-Chairs presented a progress report to the General Assembly outlining key insights that emerged from the ‘Discovery Phase’ and put forward next steps toward a high-ambition outcome in early 2026 💪 💡Read the full statement here: bit.ly/4oOTFpr 💡Learn more about the work of the IAHWG here: un.org/un80-initiativ… 💡Stay up to date with the UN80 Initiative here: un.org/un80-initiativ…

Great meeting with New Zealand 🇳🇿 Ambassador @RealAntSimpson1 and Australia 🇦🇺 Ambassador Beth Delaney @australia on #UN80 reform and on @UNOPS support to #SIDS facing disproportionate effects from climate change.

H.E. Carolyn Schwalger opened the “Forward, Not Fragmented” UN Mine Action Campaign exhibition, co-hosted by 🇦🇹 and🇩🇿. The display underscores the urgency of humanitarian disarmament, the Ottawa Treaty, and the devastating impact of anti-personnel landmines. On view in the UN GA Visitor’s Lobby until 12 Jan 2026.