New Zealand Prime Minister John Key left on Thursday for Lima, Peru, to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum leaders meeting.
The annual meeting will focus on international economic crisis and the importance of concluding world trade negotiations.
Key formed his government quickly and was sworn in on Wednesday so he could attend the APEC forum meeting and gain the latest international assessment of the situation.
"The summit is vitally important for New Zealand to attend during these times of global economic uncertainty," Key said before he left.
"I expect the priorities for discussion by the leaders will include the economic crisis, the WTO (World Trade Organization) Doha Round negotiations, and APEC's regional economic integration agenda which includes the concept of a free trade agreement in the Asia-Pacific region," the New Zealand Press Association quoted him as saying.
Key said that following last weekend's G20 summit in Washington, APEC was an important opportunity for Asia-Pacific leaders to reinforce their commitment to tackling the international financial and economic situation.
"I believe part of that task includes giving renewed commitment to concluding the Doha Round of trade talks," he said.
"A range of other important regional issues will also be discussed, including promotion of corporate social responsibility and better co-operation of disaster preparedness and management."
Key will go to London after the APEC meeting where he will meet the Queen, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and other politicians before coming home.
Source: Xinhua
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