MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Smith
I am pleased to announce that Australia will pledge $250 million to assist Afghanistan provide better health and education services, secure food supplies in the face of rising world prices, support its police force and expand mine action programs.
Today, I attended a joint Afghan, French and United Nations-hosted International Conference in support of Afghanistan. The Conference is an important next step in the process for developing a comprehensive strategy for international engagement in Afghanistan.
The centrepiece of the conference was the new Afghanistan National Development Strategy (ANDS) 2008 - 2013. As a roadmap for development efforts, the strategy will complement the comprehensive political and military plan agreed by leaders, including the Prime Minister, at the NATO Summit in Bucharest in April this year.
Alongside our substantial military deployment, our humanitarian and development assistance in Afghanistan reflects our commitment to help rebuild the nation of Afghanistan.
This new commitment allows us to continue to focus on our number one priority, to build Afghan capacity. Improving governance at both national and provincial level, and strengthening capacity to deliver health and education services is crucial to Afghanistan's long term recovery.
Our support will also bolster the Afghan National Police through technical assistance provided by Australian Federal Police advisers. We will also continue to address humanitarian needs, particularly with mine action programs, led by the United Nations Mine Action Centre for Afghanistan and with food assistance, through the World Food Programme.
Since its adoption in London in 2006, Australia has aligned its development assistance to the Afghanistan Compact and its agreed goals in the key areas of: security; governance; rule of law and human rights; economic and social development; and counter narcotics. The Afghanistan National Development Strategy (ANDS) is a continuation of the direction set in the Compact.
Australian development assistance to Afghanistan will continue to be channelled through a variety of sources, including trusted multilateral partners such as the UNDP and the World Bank, to optimize development effectiveness.
Where possible and appropriate, our support will also complement the work of the Australian Defence Force's reconstruction team in Oruzgan province.
This pledge is part of our growing commitment to reconstruction in Afghanistan. In 2004 we pledged $110 million at the Bonn Conference, and in 2006 at the London Conference we pledged a further $150 million.
Since 2001 Australia has expended around $230 million in development assistance in Afghanistan.
Mr Smith's Office: Courtney Hoogen 02 6277 7500 or 0488 244901
AusAID Public Affairs 0417 680 590