New Zealand, Singapore and Chile Launch Green Economy Partnership Talks

New Zealand has joined forces with Singapore and Chile to launch negotiations for a landmark Green Economy Partnership Agreement (GEPA), aimed at boosting sustainable trade, investment, and climate-focused economic cooperation across the Asia-Pacific. The announcement was made in the Republic of Korea, where Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Minister for Trade and Investment Todd McClay met with their Singaporean and Chilean counterparts to formally open talks.

The GEPA represents the latest chapter in the three nations' shared legacy of progressive trade diplomacy, building on earlier collaborations such as the Pacific Alliance, the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA), and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

Driving the Global Green Transition

Speaking at the launch, Minister Todd McClay said the agreement was designed to help New Zealand and its partners "position their businesses to seize trade and investment opportunities in the growing global green economy."

"This agreement is an opportunity to work together to position our businesses to seize trade and investment opportunities in the growing global green economy, the value of which is estimated to more than quintuple to US$11 trillion by 2040," McClay said.

The new pact will cover cooperation in sustainable finance and investment, environmental credit markets, green goods and services, sustainable agriculture, and low- and zero-emission fuels. The agreement's holistic approach reflects a shared recognition that climate action and economic growth can be mutually reinforcing.

"New Zealand is committed to meeting its climate targets, and this innovative agreement will help drive our transition to a greener, more resilient economy," McClay added.

Building on Strong Diplomatic Foundations

The announcement comes shortly after the signing of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Singapore on 10 October, under which both countries pledged to deepen cooperation on climate change, trade, innovation, and the green economy.

The new GEPA will serve as a flagship initiative under the Climate Change and Green Economy and Trade and Economics pillars of that partnership, reinforcing the long-standing cooperation between the two nations.

Chile, a founding member of the original P4 Agreement — which later evolved into the CPTPP — shares a similar commitment to progressive, inclusive trade frameworks. Together, the three nations have become known as "pathfinders" in forging innovative economic models that balance open trade with sustainability and social inclusion.

Supporting Regional Economic Integration

Negotiations for the GEPA will begin immediately and are expected to continue into 2026. Officials say the talks will prioritize practical mechanisms for collaboration — including mutual recognition of sustainability standards, support for green technology transfers, and frameworks for cross-border carbon market cooperation.

For New Zealand, the agreement aligns with the Government's broader strategy to decarbonize the economy, support clean-tech innovation, and open new market opportunities for exporters in sectors such as renewable energy, agritech, and sustainable food production.

APEC and Regional Trade Cooperation

The launch of GEPA comes on the heels of a successful series of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings and bilateral engagements held this week. McClay highlighted APEC's continuing importance as a stabilizing force in a "fragmented and unpredictable international trading landscape."

"Trade with APEC economies constitutes around 75 per cent of New Zealand's exports and accounts for about 60 per cent of global GDP," he noted. "Meeting with important trading partners presented a valuable opportunity to strengthen ties with key economic partners and advance the interests of New Zealand exporters."

New Zealand's trade agenda, McClay said, is firmly focused on expanding access to high-value markets and ensuring that its exporters remain globally competitive as green and digital economies reshape global commerce.

Green Trade as a Strategic Priority

The GEPA negotiations signal a new era of cooperation focused on aligning climate policy and economic growth. With global demand for sustainable products, carbon-neutral manufacturing, and ethical trade practices rapidly expanding, the agreement aims to establish a unified framework for green trade governance among the three countries.

For New Zealand, the partnership represents a forward-looking investment in future competitiveness. By collaborating with innovative, like-minded economies such as Singapore and Chile, New Zealand is positioning itself as a regional leader in green trade, innovation, and sustainability policy.

As McClay summarized, "The Green Economy Partnership Agreement is about creating the conditions for prosperity in a low-emissions future — ensuring our exporters, innovators, and communities are equipped to thrive in the next generation of global trade."