WELLINGTON, Aug. 25  -- About 2,000 leading scientists and researchers will arrive in New Zealand over this week for a series of major meetings that will set the global science and research agenda, Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce said Monday.

The meetings in Auckland would be held under the umbrella of World Science Week New Zealand and bring together a range of major international science summits, said Joyce.

"Many of the international meetings are being held in New Zealand for the first time, and all are critical to setting the future global science and research agenda," Joyce said in a statement.

"The presence of so many eminent scientists and science leaders from around the world presents an unparalleled opportunity for New Zealand scientists to increase their international networks."

The international meetings include The 31st triennial General Assembly of the International Council for Science (ICSU), a Paris- based body representing more than 150 science academies and scientific organizations in 141 countries; The 6th biennial Open Science Conference of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR), which is expected to attract more than 1,000 scientists involved in research on the frozen continent; The 4th biennial United States-New Zealand Joint Committee Meeting on Science and Technology Cooperation (JCM); The annual general meeting of the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs (COMNAP) and other meetings.

At the public events, some of the world's foremost experts would share their views and insights on critical science issues, including the impact melting ice caps might have on sea level rise, future food security and the impact of pandemics as the planet undergoes climate change, said Joyce.

World Science Week runs from Aug. 25 to Sept. 3.