New Zealand PM Hipkins to Travel to Papua New Guinea for United States–Pacific Summit

WELLINGTON (Reuters) -New Zealand’s Prime Minister Chris Hipkins will head to Papua New Guinea on May 21 to attend the United States-Pacific Summit, his office said in a statement on Thursday.

U.S. President Joe Biden will attend the summit along with leaders of 17 other Pacific countries.

New Zealand PM Hipkins

This will be Hipkin’s first visit to the Pacific since becoming leader in January and also his first in-person meeting with Biden.

(Reporting by Lucy Craymer; Editing by Jacqueline Wong)

New Zealand’s PM Chris Hipkins is scheduled to travel to Papua New Guinea for the United States–Pacific Summit.

The summit aims to strengthen ties between the United States and Pacific Island countries, including Papua New Guinea.

Hipkins’ attendance at the summit signals New Zealand’s commitment to the Pacific region and its interest in collaborating with the United States and Pacific Island countries on issues of mutual interest. The summit is expected to cover a range of topics, including economic development, security, and climate change.

The Prime Minister’s visit is an opportunity to discuss key issues facing the Pacific region and explore ways to work together to address them. It also provides an opportunity for New Zealand to engage with its Pacific Island neighbors and reaffirm its commitment to the region.

Overall, Hipkins’ travel to Papua New Guinea for the United States–Pacific Summit is a significant event that highlights New Zealand’s continued engagement in the Pacific and its commitment to working with other countries to address the challenges facing the region.