[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] On the 24th, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha held her first phone call at the request of Nanaia Mahuta, the new Foreign Minister of New Zealand, discussing responses to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), cooperation in the hydrogen sector, and collaboration on the international stage.
Minister Kang congratulated Minister Mahuta, New Zealand's first female Foreign Minister, on her inauguration and wished for the successful hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit next year, for which New Zealand will serve as the chair country.
She requested New Zealand's active participation in the P4G (Partnership for Green Growth and Global Goals 2030) summit, which the Korean government plans to host next year.
Ministers Kang and Mahuta evaluated the current status of COVID-19 responses in Korea and New Zealand and agreed to continue cooperation through mechanisms such as the vaccine supply system (COVAX Facility) to ensure equitable supply and distribution of vaccines.
Both ministers shared the view that Korea and New Zealand, which have declared carbon neutrality goals by 2050, have strengths in hydrogen-related technologies and green hydrogen production respectively, recognizing great potential for mutual cooperation, and agreed to work towards expanding collaboration in the hydrogen sector.
Furthermore, Ministers Kang and Mahuta agreed to maintain close communication and cooperation to further expand and develop the friendly cooperative relationship between the two countries as valuable regional partners to each other.
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