Wellington, 2 May 2025 — This afternoon, a working lunch was held at the Cuban Residence in Wellington between the member countries of the Group of Latin America and the Caribbean (GRULAC) and senior officials from the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT).
The lunch was attended by the Ambassadors of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Mexico, and Peru, along with Grahame Morton, Deputy Secretary for the Americas and Asia; James Waite, Manager of the Americas Division; and Tui Dewes, Unit Manager for Canada and Latin America.
Key topics on the bi-regional agenda were discussed during the meeting, including the strengthening of political dialogue, cooperation opportunities in areas such as trade, education, and climate change, as well as the importance of deepening cultural ties between New Zealand and Latin America and the Caribbean.
In his welcoming remarks, the Ambassador of Cuba highlighted the importance of such spaces for exchange in fostering greater mutual understanding and advancing initiatives of common interest. He expressed appreciation for MFAT’s willingness to maintain an open and constructive dialogue with the region.
The lunch reaffirmed the shared commitment to continue strengthening diplomatic and collaborative ties between New Zealand and the GRULAC countries.