The New Zealand Permanent Mission to the United Nations, the Conference on Disarmament and Other International Organisations

Geneva is a major centre of dialogue and negotiation on a range of issues of global importance. Every year, more than two-thirds of all United Nations activity takes place here – the ‘UN family’ in Geneva hosts the largest concentration of United Nations personnel, as well as the largest number of intergovernmental organisations, specialised agencies, programmes, funds, and research institutes, worldwide. These bodies deal with issues of global concern, from disarmament and arms control to environment issues, human rights, health, refugees, humanitarian assistance, trade and development, labour standards, migration, intellectual property and many other topics.

It is important that New Zealand contribute in this context, ensuring that our views are heard on issues of global concern and contributing to solutions, in line with New Zealand’s interests.

The New Zealand Permanent Mission to the United Nations and the Conference on Disarmament facilitates New Zealand’s interactions within a range of United Nations bodies. Our staff in Geneva work with New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Wellington, and also a wide range of New Zealand agencies, to ensure that New Zealand’s views are properly represented.

The Permanent Mission to the United Nations and Specialised Agencies and Conference on Disarmament is led by Ambassador Dell Higgie. The Permanent Mission to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development and World Intellectual Property Organisation is led by Ambassador David Walker.

Together, the staff at the Permanent Mission

• Represent New Zealand in a broad range of meeting processes and dialogues, negotiating to support the effective functioning of the United Nations system, and the upholding of principles and positions of importance to New Zealand.
• Work to secure outcomes in line with New Zealand perspectives and interests on the range of multilateral issues of importance to New Zealand (be they humanitarian, security-related or environmental).

Further, more detailed information about New Zealand’s objectives and positions in a range of United Nations forums is available on the website of the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Information about the UN office in Geneva (the ‘UN Family’) is available from their website. Information on the following bodies / treaties can be found here:

• United Nations Office in Geneva
• Conference on Disarmament (CD)
• Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)
• Human Rights Council & Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
• United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
• World Health Organization (WHO)
• International Labour Organization (ILO)
• Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
• Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
• World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO)
• Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
• Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM)
• Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention

Statements and Press releases

For transcripts of statements made at formal meetings of the United Nations and for press releases issues visit the Media and Publications section the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s website.