New Zealand to seek seat on UN Security Council

WELLINGTON, Sept. 26 -- New Zealand Prime Minister John Key has announced that New Zealand will campaign for a seat on the UN Security Council, local media reported on Saturday.

Key told the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday that New Zealand knows that effective, collective action is in every country's long-term national interest, Radio New Zealand reported on Saturday.

In advancing its case for a seat on the Security Council, Key said New Zealand does so as a state committed to upholding the international rule of law and to provide a strong principled voice for small states with an interest in a fairer and more secure world.

The election for the seat will be in 2014. New Zealand last served on the Security Council in 1993-1994 and is seeking a two-year term in 2015 and 2016.

On disarmament and non-proliferation, Key said he was heartened by Thursday's Security Council meeting and optimistic about the prospects for progress.

Key also pushed New Zealand's efforts to establish a global alliance for research into the reduction of agricultural emissions. He called on other agricultural producers to join New Zealand in this research effort.