The Associate Minister for National Security and Intelligence Mark Mitchell is this week representing New Zealand at the annual Five Country Ministerial meeting in Sydney, Australia.
“The Five Country Ministerial meeting brings together New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States to discuss shared national security challenges and how we can work together to address them,” Mr Mitchell says.
“Our countries face many of the same threats, and this meeting provides an important opportunity to share perspectives, strengthen cooperation and identify practical ways we can respond collectively.
“This year’s discussions will cover a range of current and emerging challenges, including artificial intelligence, terrorism and violent extremism, transnational scam centres, countering the illicit drug trade and approaches to state threats.
“National security challenges do not stop or start at our border. We need to work with other countries to address these serious issues.
“This meeting is an opportunity to strengthen our trusted international partnerships and ensure we are working collectively to respond to an increasingly complex and fast-changing security environment.”
A joint communique will be made public after the meeting.