WELLINGTON: Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of New Zealand, has received Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and his delegation, currently visiting the country.
During the meeting, the two sides discussed means of enhancing and developing friendly ties and cooperation between the UAE and New Zealand in all fields, especially investment, trade, economic, energy, renewable energy and food security.
They also reviewed the latest developments in the region and exchanged views on a number of regional and international issues of common concern.
Shaikh Abdullah affirmed the close relations that the UAE and New Zealand share and the continuous keenness to strengthen and develop them with the support of both countries’ leadership.
Ardern welcomed Shaikh Abdullah’s visit, saying it will open wider horizons of joint cooperation between the two countries in various fields.
The meeting was attended by Saleh Ahmad Al Suwaidi, the UAE Ambassador to New Zealand.
Meanwhile, Shaikh Abdullah visited Amesbury School in Wellington, New Zealand, which is a global model of cultural diversity with various ethnic groups of students. Shaikh Abdullah toured the school facilities and praised the unique educational model being followed by the school, which was inaugurated in 2012.
He also visited Zealandia, the world’s first fully-fenced urban Eco-sanctuary.
The eco-sanctuary has a 500-year vision to restore Wellington valley’s forest and freshwater ecosystems as closely as possible to their pre-human state. Through its conservation efforts, the 225 hectare ecosanctuary has reintroduced 18 species of native wildlife back into the area, some of which were previously absent from mainland New Zealand for over 100 years.
Saleh Ahmad Alzreem Al Suwaidi, the UAE Ambassador to New Zealand, and Paul Atkins, Chief Executive of Zealandia, accompanied Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed during the tour of the ecosanctuary.
Shaikh Abdullah praised the accomplishments attained by the ecosanctuary conservation project.
Following the end of the tour, Al Suwaidi announced that the UAE — as part of the Year of Zayed initiatives — will provide Zealandia with a Dh200,000 grant to support the ecosanctuary’s conservation efforts.
