Security, Shared Prosperity, and Sustainability Atop the Agenda at the Fourth Indo–Pacific Ministerial Forum

That interdependence was front and centre last week as High Representative/Vice-President Kaja Kallas chaired the fourth Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum in Brussels — bringing together 70 delegations from East Africa to the Pacific Islands, including New Zealand.

This Forum has quickly become the premier platform for the EU and its Member States to engage collectively with Indo-Pacific partners. Its message was clear: we are stronger together. From defending the rules-based order to bolstering the resilience of critical infrastructure, partners reaffirmed that our security, resilience and prosperity are now inseparable.

For the EU, being present and active in the Pacific is essential. New Zealand is a natural partner in this. Our cooperation is increasingly structured around three shared pillars: security and defence; economic partnership and connectivity; and advancing a sustainable future.

In June, Prime Minister Luxon and President von der Leyen reaffirmed this ambition — backing the launch of an EU–CPTPP Dialogue and committing to deeper strategic engagement in the Indo-Pacific.

Security and defence were central to Forum discussions. The EU and New Zealand both recognise the Pacific as a strategic priority. From maritime security to cyber resilience and critical infrastructure, we’re scaling up cooperation with trusted partners. With long-standing ties to Japan and Korea, and growing links across the region, the EU is working for a more stable and secure Indo-Pacific. As President von der Leyen and Prime Minister Luxon confirmed in their meeting earlier this year, European and Pacific security are intrinsically linked.

This partnership also means working closely with the Pacific Islands Forum — the region’s central political and economic voice — to support the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. The Strategy’s seven thematic areas, from peace and security to climate resilience, sustainable oceans, people-centred development, and digital connectivity, mirror the priorities discussed in Brussels. For the EU, aligning our engagement with the 2050 Strategy ensures that our cooperation strengthens Pacific-led solutions and advances the long-term vision of Pacific leaders.

At the Forum, economic integration was also a key theme. Since signing free trade agreements with Indo-Pacific partners, EU trade with the region has grown by over 40%. And just this month, the EU joined forces with the 12 members of the CPTPP to launch a new Trade and Investment Dialogue. Together, CPTPP and the EU account for 32% of global GDP and 37% of global trade — a powerful alliance for open, predictable markets.

For New Zealand, the EU–NZ Free Trade Agreement is already delivering: NZ exports to the EU have surged by NZD $2 billion since coming into force. Trade begins with relationships. That’s why the inaugural EU–NZ Business Summit, opened by Prime Minister Luxon and Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič — the first Commissioner visit since 2019 — was such a milestone. It energised already thriving partnerships in key sectors like: clean tech and renewables, infrastructure, agriculture and agritech, deep tech and ai, and aerospace and defence.

Economic growth must go hand in hand with innovation and resilience. That’s where Horizon Europe comes in. The world’s largest research and innovation programme, Horizon Europe brings together universities, business, and governments to solve real-world challenges. As the first global partner, New Zealand and European innovators are working together on issues such as climate adaptation, food system resilience, digital transformation, public health, and clean energy — addressing the priorities that matter most to Indo-Pacific partners. It’s innovation in action. Advancing economic growth, and building shared capability across our regions.

As a global leader in sustainability, the EU is also stepping up in the Indo-Pacific through the Global Gateway — investment that delivers high-quality, sustainable infrastructure that supports farmers, improves digital innovation, and boosts connectivity.

The message is unmistakable: Europe and the Indo-Pacific are shaping the future together. For the EU, that means deeper partnerships, stronger investment, and a long-term commitment to regional stability. And with New Zealand — a likeminded partner defined by shared values and trust — we are ready to scale up. Together, we can deliver a safer, more resilient, and more prosperous Indo-Pacific.