Foreign Minister Murray McCully will discuss New Zealand's bid for a seat on the UN Security Council when he meets Middle Eastern counterparts this week.
He is travelling to Egypt today to attend the League of Arab States executive council meeting, before travelling to Bahrain, Turkey and Jordan for talks.
Mr McCully said he was looking forward to discussing New Zealand's bid for a seat on the Security Council with his counterparts in the region.
A secret ballot next year will determine which countries fills two places on the council in 2015-16.
Spain and Turkey have also put in bids.
Mr McCully said the Arab League had been at the forefront of some of the most pressing international issues over the past two years, including Libya and Syria.
"Its leadership will be critical for dealing with the range of challenges that have resulted from the Arab Spring. This visit provides an opportunity for New Zealand to strengthen its relationship with a vitally important regional organisation."
Mr McCully plans to discuss ongoing regional security issues and New Zealand's humanitarian assistance for Syrian refugees in Turkey and Jordan.
