Australia and New Zealand have pledged to strengthen support for Pacific Island countries facing supply chain disruptions and rising fuel costs, while deepening defence, trade and security cooperation under a renewed trans-Tasman partnership.
In a joint statement following the Australia-New Zealand Leaders’ Meeting 2026, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon acknowledged the growing pressures confronting Pacific nations and reaffirmed their commitment to working together to support the region.
The two leaders said Pacific Island countries are “acutely exposed to supply chain disruptions and rising fuel costs” and stressed the need for practical support.
“As founding members of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), they expressed their continued commitment to stand with the Pacific family, and to respond in ways that are practical, reliable, and guided by Pacific priorities.”
The Prime Ministers also committed to continue advocating for stable, reliable and secure energy supplies for Pacific countries.
“Prime Ministers committed to continue advocating for stable, reliable, and secure energy supply for the Pacific, to support national response planning and Pacific-led efforts to respond to global shocks and strengthen regional resilience.”
Australia and New Zealand agreed to deepen cooperation on supply measures, demand management and crisis planning, while continuing efforts to secure critical supplies, expand strategic reserves and strengthen supply chains.
The leaders said reliable and affordable energy remains critical to economic security and reaffirmed their commitment to improving energy resilience on both sides of the Tasman.
Trade and supply chain resilience were also high on the agenda, with both countries stressing the importance of keeping trade routes open and connected to ensure the movement of fuel and essential goods.
“As founding members of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity, they reaffirmed their commitment to collaborating to strengthen regional supply chain resilience against disruptions.”
The two leaders also reaffirmed their support for the rules-based multilateral trading system.
“They reaffirmed their commitment to the rules-based multilateral trading system, with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) at its core, and acknowledged that respect for trade commitments, including international trade standards and norms, underpins our prosperity and resilience, and that of our region.”
They committed to working with other trading partners to modernise and strengthen the WTO through meaningful reforms and to ensure global trade flows remain uninterrupted.
On defence and security, the Prime Ministers marked the 75th anniversary of the ANZUS Treaty, describing it as the foundation of the Australia-New Zealand Alliance.
“Prime Ministers acknowledged the 75th anniversary of the ANZUS Treaty, the foundation of our Alliance and our defence and security partnership. They reaffirmed that our Alliance was critical to safeguard our collective security and support a peaceful, stable and prosperous Pacific region.’
The leaders endorsed the Anzac 2035: Operationalising the Alliance Joint Statement, setting out a ten-year vision for the alliance focused on force posture, combined operations, preparedness, resilience, defence industry integration and Pacific security.
They welcomed progress made over the past year in strengthening defence cooperation, supported by Australia’s 2026 National Defence Strategy and New Zealand’s 2025 Defence Capability Plan.
The statement highlighted collaboration to support enhanced strike capabilities for the New Zealand Defence Force and recognised New Zealand’s first participation as part of the Australian contingent in Exercise BALIKATAN.
The Prime Ministers also welcomed continued naval cooperation as New Zealand advances plans to replace its frigates.
“Prime Ministers welcomed the focus on strengthening integration to collectively deter actions contrary to the security and stability of our region.”
The leaders reaffirmed their support for the AUKUS partnership, stating that capability and technology sharing under the arrangement contributes to regional security and stability.
They also agreed on the importance of closer cooperation on artificial intelligence, saying it would help support responsible AI adoption, strengthen security safeguards and promote shared standards internationally.
The statement concluded with both leaders welcoming the strength of the Australia-New Zealand security and intelligence partnership amid what they described as an increasingly uncertain and contested geostrategic environment.
