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THE PARTNERSHIP FORUM
The Partnership Forum brings together high-ranking New Zealand and American government officials, business and industry leaders, diplomats, journalists and academics to focus on sensitive strategic, economic, security and environmental challenges and opportunities in the Asia-Pacific region. The Forum concept is built around the idea that engagement and co-operation on these issues are particularly effective when constructed on a foundation of focused, in-person discussion with the right people at the table. 2009, Omni-Shoreham Hotel, Washington DC Trans Pacific Partnership: Deepening Engagement, Expanding Opportunities
The Third Partnership Forum, held at the Omni-Shoreham Hotel in Washington DC 6-8 October, was attended by over 120 US and NZ delegates. Both governments again have praised the Forum for its significant contribution to what both Secretary Hillary Clinton and NZ Foreign Minster Murray McCully term the strongest bilateral relationship in a quarter century and for its ability to bring focus to the exceptional regional partnership of these two Pacific Rim neighbors. The discussion at the 2009 Forum covered a wide range of issues, including increased co-operation and engagement on matters concerning regional security and stability, trade and economic development, business innovation, energy and the environment in the Asian Pacific region. As important as what was said, however, was the fact that the Forum happened; that two remarkable delegations - distinguished, powerful, and diverse individuals - gathered for two days in Washington to focus on the relationship and partnership of New Zealand and the United States and the importance of the Asia Pacific to both.
The 2009 Forum was co-chaired for the United States by former Congressman Cal Dooley and Ambassador Susan Schwab and for New Zealand by Rt Hon James Bolger and Rt Hon Mike Moore. The breadth, rank, and prominence of the delegations, unprecedented in the history of US-NZ relations, included top current and past Administration officials, Members of Congress, NZ Ministers, MP's, former Prime Ministers, and Chairs and Chief Executives of NZ's major companies.
"At a time when the world is looking for new ideas about how to accelerate the economic recovery, open new markets and build sustainable business, the Forum showed that there are people on both sides of the Pacific thinking about these things and looking for new ways to work together." NZ-US Council Media Release
Rt Hon Jim Bolger Asst. Sec. Kurt Campbell Cong. Rick Larsen Cong. Kevin Brady
Deputy Sec of State Jim Steinberg Deputy USTR Demtios Marantis NZ Foreign Minister Murray McCully US Co-Chair Hon Cal Dooley US Co-Chair Amb. Susan Schwab
Rt Hon Mike Moore NZ Foreign Min Tim Groser Secretary Tom Vilsack Under Sec. Ellen Tauscher Amb. Rich Armitage
Saatchi CEO Kevin Roberts EJ Dionne, John Mullen, Amb Roy Ferguson Amb Carol Moseley Braun Peter Watson, Amb Paula Dobriansky
MP Maryan Street, Opp Leader Phil Goff, Amb Roy Ferguson, Amb Demetrios Marantis Dinner at NZ Embassy Reilly Lewis & Cathedral Choral Society Chamber Singers at NZ Embassy 2007, Auckland Hilton, New Zealand
Governor Vilsack Auckland Hilton Under-Secretary of State, Amb. Chris Hill The second Partnership Forum was held in Auckland, New Zealand. Under the banner of "Partnership and Innovation" the Forum focused on the potential for the United States and New Zealand to cooperate on matters of regional security and stability, economic development and sustainability in the Asia Pacific region
Richard Armitage US Amb. McCormick and NZ Amb. Fergusson PM John Key The 47-strong US delegation was led once again by Ambassador Yeutter and then Governor of Iow, Tom Vilsack (recently announced as Secretary of Agriculture by President Obama) and was termed "the most influential delegation of American leaders ever to come to New Zealand." Included in the US delegation were Christopher Hill, Richard Armitage, Tom Donohue, Jim Kolbe, Cal Dooley, Dennis Wilder, Mark Rey, Dan Evans, Peter Watson, Mike Eckhart, Bruce Stokes, Tom Camerlo, US Ambassador Bill McCormick and a range of top level executives from major U.S. and multinational companies and professional firms The leader of the opposition at the time, now Prime Minister of New Zealand, Mr John Key described the Partnership Forum as: "...a highly successful attempt to draw together some of the common interests of both our countries. It makes sense to find occasions such as this close to, but not formally part of government - to allow a freer flow of ideas. In that sense, I like to think of the Partnership Forum as a bit ahead of the curve in terms of the United States/New Zealand relationship." Click here to see our report of the 2007 Partnership Forum 2006, Cosmos Club, Washington DC
Senator George Mitchell Cosmos Club Ambassador Yeutter The US - NZ Council entered an exciting new phase in the spring of 2006 when it inaugurated the United States - New Zealand Partnership Forum in Washington. US Co-Chair Clayton Yeutter (former US Trade Representative) described the New Zealand delegation, led by two former Prime Minister as bringing "more intellectual horsepower to this city" than any other country in his experience had "at one point in time." Senator George Mitchell (D - ME) recently announced as Special Envoy to the Middle East by President Obama, was the other co-chair. Click here to see our report on the 2006 Partnership Forum.
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