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Gallus
Australia renews major commitment to South Pacific
One of Australia's major commitments to the Pacific region was formally
renewed at a ceremony in Noumea today.
The agreement between Australia and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community
(SPC) is for a further three years of development programs that will be managed
by SPC for its membership of 22 Pacific island countries and territories.
The Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Mrs Chris Gallus, said that
a Memorandum of Understanding with SPC commits Australia to provide $8.2
million per year for the three years from 2003-2005 for development
programs.
'Australia has a long and productive relationship with Pacific island
countries and with the Secretariat for the Pacific Community,' said Mrs
Gallus.
'Today we reinforce this relationship with our commitment of funds to an
organisation of significant importance to the Pacific island region.
'SPC is a major vehicle for delivery of technical assistance to its
developing country members, drawing on funding from member contributions and
from donors both within and outside the region,' said Mrs Gallus
Australia's commitment will support a number of SPC's ongoing priority
programs, which provide technical advice and other assistance on fisheries,
public health, education and training, demography and statistics, forestry and
the Pacific Women's Bureau.
The agreement came into force with the signing of a MOU in Noumea at 11 am
today. The MOU was signed for Australia by the Consul-General in Noumea, Ms
Denise Fisher and for SPC by the Director-General, Ms Lourdes Pangelinan.
Media contacts:
Craig Bildstien (Office of Mrs Gallus) 0407 604 437
Jo Elsom (AusAID) (02) 6206 4960 or 0412 804 489