MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
I am pleased to announce that Australia will provide nearly $8 million to the Pacific's premier regional development agency, the South Pacific Commission (SPC), in 1998.
The grant includes our agreed share of core operating costs ($3 million) and additional funding for specific projects and programs, including a new initiative to support training of Pacific islanders in the Commission's coastal fisheries program and increased support for women's programs.
Australian funding priorities for the South Pacific Commission (to be known as the Pacific Community from February 1998) were agreed in discussions between AusAID and Commission officials in Noumea this week.
Australia's funding of new trainee positions in the Coastal Fisheries Program aims to equip Pacific islanders to take on more specialised and senior positions in their respective government administrations and in regional organisations. This will help overcome the shortage of technical fisheries expertise amongst Pacific islanders.
The SPC's Women's Bureau will also receive a significant boost in AusAID funding in 1998, reflecting the Government's commitment to ensuring that the special needs of women are recognised in our overseas aid program.
AusAID will also fund a number of the SPC's regional health programs including in the areas of HIV/AIDS prevention and mosquito borne disease control. Health is a priority sector for the Australian aid program and it is appropriate that health projects make up the largest share of our program support for the Commission. Support is also provided to a range of other SPC programs, particularly in agriculture, fisheries and statistical services.
The Australian Government was honoured to have hosted the 50th anniversary Conference of the Commission in October this year. The finalisation of our funding support this week is further evidence of Australia's continuing commitment to the Pacific region and the SPC.
Australia remains the largest single donor to the SPC.
Media contacts:
Judi Nixon (Mrs Sullivan's office) 02 6277 4381 / 0411 287 258
Geoff Adlide (AusAID) (02) 6206 4967 / 0417 683 126