WELLINGTON - New Zealand and Singapore launched a new Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) on Friday, as the two countries mark 60 years of diplomatic ties.

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong jointly announced the agreement in Auckland.

The CSP will drive deeper cooperation across six key areas: trade and economics, defense and security, science and innovation, people-to-people links, climate and the green economy, and supply chains and connectivity.

"Singapore is one of our closest partners. As small states, it's important we work side-by-side to keep trade open, strengthen security, and defend the rules-based order," Luxon said in a government statement, adding that the new framework aims to boost jobs and incomes and help more New Zealand firms scale from Singapore into Asia.

"Through the CSP, we have committed to tackling the next generation of challenges together, from supply chain resilience and digital trade, to climate change and maritime security," Luxon said.

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The two sides also signed a first-of-its-kind Agreement on Trade in Essential Supplies to help keep essential goods moving in times of crisis.