Wednesday 14 April 2021 OPENING REMARKS Good morning, I am so pleased to be able to join you for part of this workshop, which Iâm confident will help us along the path to developing New Zealandâs national policy on the issue of Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems. In taking on this portfolio Iâve been keen to bring some strong political impetus to disarmament and arms control. I see my role, broadly, as being two-fold â ensuring that New Zealand continues to have a vibrant domestic community of activists, experts, and politicians dedicated to these issues, while also making sure the Government plays a proactive and constructive role in international, through the various avenues available to us. These are interdependent goals â New Zealand cannot contribute strongly internationally if we donât have the expertise to call on at home, but likewise few people will be willing to dedicate their lives to these matters if they perceive the Government as disinterested, and not playing its part on the world stage. This workshop is part of a wider programme of outreach which I believe is already proving its worth, and I would encourage you all to continue to engage with me on these endeavours into the future.