Defence relations in a globalized world

Philippines’ developing defence links with New Zealand augur well for regional security in an uncertain era.

New Zealand experiences the benefits and the limitations that come from being a small country at the bottom of the South Pacific. For example, New Zealand usually does well in contests for UN candidatures often against much bigger opponents. The line that we are “small and non-threatening” strikes a responsive chord. 

But New Zealand has historically punched above its weight on the international scene.  We share with our Filipino partners common concerns in combating violent extremism, promoting adherence to a rules based system of international law and a desire to eliminate weapons of mass destruction.  New Zealand has a duty of care responsibility to protect the Southern Ocean. We play an active role in the shared management of Antarctica. When it comes to natural disasters, our defence force attaches priority to helping out our friends in the Pacific and South East Asia. Put simply, that is what being a good neighbour is all about.     

I am pleased to see that New Zealand’s security/defence pillar in the relationship with the Philippines is growing in a positive direction. This week, for the first time in 15 years, a Royal New Zealand Navy ship - HMNZS Te Kaha, is visiting the port of Manila.

 In a regional context, New Zealand works closely with the Philippines on defence.  In October New Zealand will participate in the ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting Plus (ADMM Plus) in Manila. The “Plus” involves ASEAN’s Dialogue partners: Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Russia and the US. Our participation in that grouping is a big deal for us. The evolution of the ADMM Plus grouping could not have been possible were it not for ASEAN facilitation. 

This year marks ASEAN’s 50th anniversary. And it is fitting that the Philippines, one of the founders of ASEAN, is the Chair.  Born out of the Cold War and originally envisaged as anti-Communist bulwark, ASEAN has been the key integrative mechanism in bringing together former adversaries. The last inter-state conflict in the region took place in 1979 – almost 40 years ago. The emergence of Asia as the centre of global economic growth could not have occurred without the absence of war.

At a time when virulent nationalism and xenophobia are on the rise globally, it is timely to reflect on the value for citizens associated with the pooling of sovereignty that regional bodies like ASEAN (and for that matter the EU) deliver. Nation states are of themselves incapable of overcoming challenges such as climate change, the plight of refugees, transnational crime, terrorism and disease. In that context, it is encouraging to see Trilateral Cooperation between the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia to help combat terrorist activity in the Sulu Archipelago.

New Zealand is proud of its status as a “strategic partner” of ASEAN.  We became a Dialogue partner of ASEAN in 1975. The ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement concluded in 2010 is a model for broader regional trade and economic integration. With our ASEAN partners and other regional players, we are involved in negotiating a Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, which has the potential to spur regional growth and prosperity.   

Some years ago back in Wellington I was asked to draft a few paragraphs for an ASEAN Regional Forum paper on New Zealand’s approach to regional security.  To help me I dusted off a brief that I had produced for regional trade and economic integration a short time earlier. For New Zealand, our defence/security and economic and trade outlook is intertwined.  In defence/security, we attach priority to being a good international citizen, acknowledging that because of our small size, our impact is greatest if we do things together with bigger partners.  We believe that the most effective means of preventing the outbreak of conflict between nations is to intensify economic and trade interdependence. For New Zealand, globalization is not a threat, but an opportunity.

(David Strachan is New Zealand’s ambassador.)