Source: United States Navy
Paparo met with senior New Zealand officials to discuss maritime security threats to the region, including climate change and illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. They spoke about ways to deepen naval cooperation and interoperability, especially in cases of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
Officials included:
- Ben King, Deputy Chief Executive, Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Trade
- Rear Adm. James Gilmour, Commander, Joint Forces New Zealand
- Rear Adm. David Proctor, Chief of Navy, Royal New Zealand Navy
- Commodore Melissa Reed, Deputy Chief of Navy, Royal New Zealand Navy
During a visit to the Command and Staff College, Paparo talked with students about leadership, and answered questions on U.S. naval operations and gave his perspectives of the challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.
Throughout the visit, Paparo expressed appreciation to New Zealand for its leadership in the region and gained invaluable insight from his New Zealand counterparts.
The visit to New Zealand underscored the United States’ commitment to strengthening partnerships for an enduring free and open Indo-Pacific.