Ardern will participate in a session with the alliance’s Indo-Pacific partners and spoke directly with world leaders at the summit to be held in the Spanish capital, Madrid.
New Zealand is not a member of NATO but was invited by the secretary general of the alliance to demonstrate its “close cooperation” with countries in the Pacific.
In a speech delivered overnight, she said that while New Zealand had worked with NATO countries in Afghanistan and had been partners for a decade, the invitation marked a special moment for the nation.
“New Zealand is not here to expand our military alliances. We are here to contribute to a world that makes it less necessary for everyone to rely on them,” Ardern said.
“Aotearoa New Zealand has a strong independent foreign policy. We are also one of the oldest and most stable liberal democracies.”
The undermining of the humanity of the people has been the driving force behind all foreign policy interventions that the New Zealand government chose to do over political ideology.
“And on that basis we are unequivocal. The war in Ukraine is wrong,” said the prime minister.
“Russia’s actions are an insult to all of us. Not because this conflict should be characterized as a war of the west against Russia, or even democracy versus autocracy, it is neither. Rather, it is a war of Russia against all those who have a basic sense of humanity and chose to act upon it.”
She also accused Russia of being “morally bankrupt” for using its position in the UN Security Council to block debate over its war against Ukraine.
“and [that] shows why we must continue to push for UN reform.”
After reminding NATO leaders of New Zealand’s contribution, including introducing unilateral sanctions against Russia for the first time, providing humanitarian, military and non-military aid, she issued an appeal.
“That we will not allow the legacy of the war in Ukraine to become an arms race, or an even more polarized and dangerous world.
“Our solidarity with Ukraine must be matched by an equal commitment to strengthen international institutions, multilateral fora and disarmament.”
Reminding her audience of New Zealand’s long-standing nuclear-weapon-free status, she said the world is now at a crossroads, which “should be the foundation for us to halt production of weapons that destroy our create mutually assured destruction, because the alternative is unfathomable.” †
“And so, as the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty agrees for its tenth review conference in August, I hope all members agree to send a strong message. Because if not now, when the threat is even greater, then when? “
NATO strategy
At the summit, NATO defined its strategy for the next decade, defined the security challenges it expected to face and what the alliance would do to address them.
Unlike the previous strategy confirmed in 2010, the newly agreed strategy mentioned China and its influence on the global security picture.
It also included a commitment to strengthen ties with partners in the Indo-Pacific to address cross-border challenges and shared security interests.
Stoltenberg said at the summit that China did not share NATO’s values.
“Like Russia, it [China] seeks to undermine the international rules-based order. So we must stand together and work with like-minded partners around the world to protect our values and our freedom and to promote peace and prosperity.”
Ardern had accused Russia of spreading disinformation and misinformation even as far as the Pacific, and in her speech called China’s actions a cause for concern.
Separately, China has also recently become more assertive and more willing to challenge international rules and standards.
“Here we must respond to the actions we see. We must remain steadfast in the rules-based order, call for diplomatic engagement and speak out against human rights violations at all times when and where we see them.
The prime minister also made a case for diplomacy, de-escalation, peace and stability, adding that under those terms “like-minded partners” would be welcome in the Pacific.
She concluded by emphasizing that the biggest security challenge for the Pacific remained climate change.
“Rising sea levels are already having an impact in the Pacific Ocean. Natural disasters are more frequent, impacting livelihoods through food insecurity and even greater hardship. We all have a responsibility to address these issues.”
Ardern expressed a desire to continue working with NATO leaders on the issue that poses the most universal threat facing the world, she said.
Pacific
The leaders of Australia, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand discussed the security challenges in the Pacific in separate formal talks.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said at the beginning of the meeting that “events in Europe have real and significant implications for our own region in the Indo-Pacific, just as actions in the Indo-Pacific affect European nations.”
Ardern also met the new German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and the Prime Ministers of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte and Italy, Mario Draghi.
Trade talks between the European Union and New Zealand were on the agenda.
“We need advocacy because we have some areas that are still difficult for a small number of economies and we need those who support us, and there are a lot of them, to help us get it over the line.”
Ardern left the summit for Brussels as trade talks enter a critical phase, and will meet European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Ardern said reaching an agreement with the EU in Brussels is not a given, and to “look at this space”.