New Zealand Prime Minister John Key leaves on Thursday to attend a meeting of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders in Russia.
Mr Key says the meeting presents an important opportunity for leaders to reaffirm their commitment to strengthening regional growth and discuss ways to advance the vision for an Asia-Pacific Free Trade Area.
He says the Asia-Pacific region is regarded as the engine of future global growth, with economic growth rates of the APEC economies already ahead of the world average.
After the summit, Mr Key will go to Japan for three days.
