Prime Minister John Key has announced that New Zealand will campaign for a seat on the UN Security Council.
Mr Key told the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday that New Zealand knows that effective, collective action is in every country's long-term national interest.
In advancing its case for a seat on the Security Council, Mr Key said New Zealand does so as a state committed to upholding the international rule of law and to provide a strong principled voice for small states with an interest in a fairer and more secure world.
The election for the seat will be in 1014. New Zealand last served on the Security Council in 1993-94 and is seeking a two year term in 2015 and 2016.
The council includes five permanent members: Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States. There are 10 temporary members.
Other topics
A Radio New Zealand political reporter says the speech also covered a range of international issues, including climate change, nuclear disarmament and the global recession.
On disarmament and non-proliferation, Mr Key said he was heartened by Thursday's Security Council meeting and optimistic about the prospects for progress.
Mr Key also pushed New Zealand's efforts to establish a global alliance for reseach into the reduction of agricultural emissions. He called on other agricultural producers to join New Zealand in this research effort.
