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Preparations for AANZFTA upgrade negotiations
Preparations for an upgrade of AANZFTA started in 2017:
- 2017–2018: AANZFTA General Review conducted.
- 2019: New Zealand’s negotiation mandate engagement, and submission. Negotiations mandate [PDF, 1.9 MB] completed and proactively released.
- 2019: AANZFTA General Review completed and recommendations endorsed by AANZFTA Ministers.
- 2020: AANZFTA Ministers agreed to expeditiously begin negotiations in 2021.
AANZFTA negotiation timeline
Negotiations started for the upgrade of AANZFTA in 2021. Various government agencies are participating, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ministry for Primary Industries, Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment, and the New Zealand Customs Service.
- 7–9 April 2021: First round of negotiations are held virtually. Preliminary discussions were had on the path forward for negotiations, and it was agreed that work will continue between rounds to propose and agree text.
- 21–22 July 2021: Second round of negotiations, also held virtually. Negotiators were able to make further progress, building on work done in round one.
- 29 November 2021: Third round of negotiations held virtually.
- 7 March 2022: Fourth round of negotiations, held virtually. As we enter the final six months of the planned timeframe, the Committee agrees to move to more regular meetings.
- 21 April 2022: Fifth round of negotiations, held virtually.
- 15 June 2022: Sixth round of negotiations, held in Indonesia.
- 2-5 August 2022: Seventh round of negotiations, held in Cambodia.
- 18 September: Meeting of AANZFTA Ministers to discuss negotiations.
- 10-13 October: Eighth round of negotiations, held in Viet Nam.
- 13 November 2022: Announcement made by AANZFTA Leaders on the conclusion of negotiations to the AANZFTA Upgrade.
- 2-5 August 2022: Seventh round of negotiations, held in Cambodia.
- 18 September: Meeting of AANZFTA Ministers to discuss negotiations.
- 10-13 October: round of negotiations, held in Viet Nam.
- 12 November 2022: Announcement made by AANZFTA Leaders on the conclusion of negotiations to the AANZFTA Upgrade.
- 13 February 2023: Text negotiations concluded
- 21 August 2023: AANZFTA Upgrade signed in Indonesia.
Share your views on the upgrade
We’re interested in what New Zealanders and New Zealand businesses have to say about AANZFTA. Your views will help inform our overall approach to the AANZFTA upgrade.
Find out how to share your views.