Ardern’s global charm offensive
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will be a guest on some of American television’s biggest shows during a trip to New York for the United Nations, where she will be pushing for global co-operation on issues including climate change, inequality and trade.
Ardern will be delivering her first speech to the UN during the five-day trip and is speaking at a series of star-studded and highprofile events. She will be delivering the keynote address at the opening of UN Climate Week, speaking at the One Planet Summit hosted by the president of France, and hosting the inaugural meeting of Carbon Neutrality Alliance, along with the Marshall Islands.
Ardern will also be delivering her first speech to the UN General Assembly, the largest annual gathering of world leaders. US President Donald Trump will be among those hosting functions on the periphery of the event and Ardern has confirmed she will be attending.
She will also be appearing on The Today Show and the Late Show with Stephen Colbert - a combined audience of 7 million – to talk about the challenges during a five-day long trip.
Ardern will be accompanied by baby Neve and partner Clarke Gayford.
In a statement, Ardern said she would make the case for global co-operation on combating climate change and inequality, supporting the rights of women and children and promoting fair global trading rules during her many speaking engagements.
‘‘No country can fix a global problem on their own, we are all connected. Every person both benefits from and relies on global co-operation to address the challenges, big and small, facing our world.
‘‘My key message for the week is the need for us to recommit to global rules and enhance our multilateral systems to better address challenges such as climate change, trade and the protection of human rights.’’
Opening week of the UN General Assembly was the largest gathering of world leaders on the international calendar and a chance to advance New Zealand’s interests on the world stage, reconnect with partners and forge new alliances, Ardern said.
Her appearances on The Today Show and the Late Show with Stephen Colbert were about promoting New Zealand on the world stage.
There would also be a long form interview with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour.