New Zealand steps up lobbying in New York for UN Security Council seat

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key and Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully will be in New York together this month, pressing the country's case for a seat on the Security Council during the United Nations General Assembly.

Key will also be speaking during the general debate on Sept. 26 during the opening week of the General Assembly, which is the single largest gathering of world leaders.

New Zealand is a candidate for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council in 2015-2016, Xinhua reported.

"Small states like New Zealand need to have a place at the UN's top table. New Zealand shares the desire of other countries to see a strong and effective United Nations," Key said in a statement Monday.

En route to New York, Key would visit Britain for bilateral meetings with British Prime Minister David Cameron, Foreign Secretary William Hague and Leader of the Opposition Ed Milliband.

He would also visit France, where he would meet President Francois Hollande, Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, and Economy and Finance Minister Pierre Moscovici.

"Europe remains vital to New Zealand's future prosperity and security," said Key.

"This visit is an opportunity to talk about Europe with two key EU member states. Both are also permanent members of the UN Security Council. Their perspectives on regional and global issues are of strong interest to New Zealand," he said.

"Our common engagement in the Asia-Pacific region and the opportunities this presents will also be a focus of my discussions in Europe.