Following an engagement approach: Andrew Hyde outlines American support for multilateral efforts to solve international problems on several levels.

• Author: Hyde, Andrew

A strong supporter of multilateral institutions, the United States has long co-operated closely with New Zealand in a variety of forums. Within the Asia-Pacific region four institutions are especially important in this regard--the Secretariat of the Pacific Community, the Pacific Regional Environmental Programme, the Pacific Islands Forum and the Association of South East Asian Nations. Beyond the region, the two countries also collaborate closely at the United Nations, which remains an indispensable tool for the promotion of peace and security, economic development and human rights. Washington's top priorities in the past year have been strengthening multilateral peace operations; counter-terrorism, including countering ISIS and violent extremism; development; and climate change.

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The United States values its strong relationship with New Zealand, and it appreciates the role New Zealand plays in the multilateral system, where New Zealand's voice has great credibility.

From 31 October to 2 November, in Niue, I led the US delegation to the 45th annual meeting of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community's Committee of Representatives of Governments and Administrations. My delegation benefited from close cooperation with New Zealand on the host of issues we discussed, including organisational development and governance issues, the budget and the organisation's membership policy.

The United States strongly supports the Asia-Pacific region's multilateral institutions, including through our membership in the Secretariat of the Pacific Community and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environmental Programme and our growing partnership with the Pacific Islands Forum.

We draw on New Zealand's deep experience and unique connection with the Pacific Islands region and its strong and longstanding relationship with these institutions--New Zealand's role in initiating the first meeting of the Pacific Islands Forum in 1971 and in joining us as a founding member of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community stand out.

Within the region, we also collaborate with New Zealand in the ASEAN Regional Forum and the East Asia Summit. We applaud New Zealand's efforts to deepen connections with ASEAN countries via the Joint Declaration on the ASEAN-New Zealand Comprehensive Partnership, through which New Zealand has made great strides to deepen political, security, economic and socio-cultural ties, including through a young business leaders exchange and disaster risk management and agricultural diplomacy programme. In addition, the 2009 agreement establishing the ASEAN-Australia and New Zealand Free Trade Area has brought immense benefits to the region.

The United States has been a steady force for and contributor to social, economic and political development...