Latin America today: challenges, opportunities and trans-Pacific perspectives: Brian Lynch reports on a recent seminar at Victoria University of Wellington.

• Author: Lynch, Brian
• Position: SEMINAR REPORT - Report

Prime Minister Helen Clark set the scene with a strong affirmation of her longstanding personal interest in the region. She spoke of the 'growing dynamism' in New Zealand's relationship with Latin America. The platform for the latter was the government's Latin America Strategy initiated in 2000 that was focused on enhancement of links with key countries. With exports to the region at 3 per cent and imports 1 per cent of New Zealand's global trading connections, the trade and economic ties had much unfilled potential especially in areas that leveraged off New Zealand's agricultural expertise. There was steady growth in political and people-to-people ties. It made sense for New Zealand to increase its engagement with Latin America as a bilateral partner and link between the region and Asia, given the region's economic potential, growing international influence, and geographic proximity.

Carl Worker elaborated the key themes in the Prime Minister's overview. He identified four principal points of focus from New Zealand's perspective that underpinned the emerging relationship. New Zealand's commitment to Asia-Pacific integration, its vision of 'open regionalism' and its readiness to play the role of 'good neighbour' were based on its credentials as a 'proud and authentic' regional partner. No better illustration of this was active membership of the P4 strategic partnership. New Zealand took seriously its participation in trans-Pacific forums such as APEC and FEALAC. Finally, global production and consumption trends presented new and exciting opportunities for New Zealand and Latin American trading partners to maximise their joint comparative advantage.

In their introductory remarks the two Victoria University organisers of the symposium, Rob Rabel and Warwick Murray, provided additional context. To them the event offered scope to add a new and enduring dimension to the evolving relationship. The presentations to follow would, they were confident, highlight the opportunity to celebrate closer linkages. It would be the occasion for reassurance that distance was proving no barrier to stronger bonds between the region and New Zealand.

The organisers' expectations were more than amply fulfilled. Without disputing the obvious differences attributable to the constancy of geography and the legacy of history, there was robust reinforcement of the value both parties attached to the relationship. And of the benefits to be gained from full and frank...