The United States and New Zealand Sign New Agreement to Strengthen Security through Increased Cooperation on Science and Technology

January 8, 2010: New Zealand and the United States have agreed to enhance cooperation in science and technology research to improve the shared capabilities of both nations to protect against acts of terrorism and other threats to domestic and external security. “International collaboration in science and technology is a major part of our ongoing efforts to counter threats of terrorism,” said Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Janet Napolitano. “This agreement will enhance our ability to collaborate on research and share innovative technologies to ensure our mutual security and protect the public.”

“The Agreement on Science and Technology Cooperation Contributing to Domestic and External Security Capabilities strengthens New Zealand’s longstanding relationship with the U.S. in research science and technology,” said New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully. “Under the Agreement New Zealand transport security and civil defense emergency management researchers will now benefit from collaborative project work with their U.S. counterparts.”

The Agreement calls for close cooperation between the US and New Zealand on the development of threat and vulnerability analyses and new technologies, and strengthened collaboration on border and transport security and civil defense emergency management.

The Agreement draws on the collective technical expertise of government scientists from both countries, and encourages robust participation by universities, non-profit organization and the private sector through public-private partnerships and collaborative funding.

It was signed today in Washington by Secretary Napolitano and New Zealand Ambassador Roy Ferguson. The United States has recently concluded similar agreements with Spain, Germany, France, Israel, Australia, the United Kingdom and Canada.