New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon reiterated his country’s support for the Mindanao peace process as the southwestern Pacific Ocean nation backed the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund.

The fund works with local organizations to promote peace, good governance and livelihood opportunities for communities in Mindanao.

“To develop knowledge and skills in the Philippines, New Zealand will continue to fund, through the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship Programme, tertiary scholarships and short-term cohort courses,” said the joint statement for the official visit of Prime Minister Luxon.

“New Zealand prioritizes scholarships in the areas of Climate Change and the Environment, Disaster Management, Food Security and Agriculture, Renewable Energy, and Governance,” it further stated.

New Zealand has a program for women, agriculture, renewable energy, capacity building and learning and training opportunities for Filipinos, which are part of its aim to boost bilateral relations with the Philippines.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. had a bilateral meeting with Luxon in Malacañang, discussing a wide range of issues such as economy, defense and security, trade and maritime cooperation.

The Philippines and New Zealand established their formal diplomatic relations on July 6, 1966, with their relations now spanning 57 years. PND