MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
I welcome the international community's commitment to speed delivery of
assistance to rebuild Iraq, reached at the Donors' Meeting on the International
Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq in Abu Dhabi on 28-29 February.
This meeting follows the successful International Donors' Conference in
Madrid in October last year, at which donors pledged more than US$13 billion to
assist Iraq.
Donors at the Abu Dhabi meeting agreed co-ordination and implementation
mechanisms needed to ensure swift delivery of this aid to priority projects in
Iraq.
Australia pledged an additional $20 million in assistance at the Madrid
Conference which will be channelled through the joint United Nations and World
Bank Trust Fund Facility for Iraq.
Australia has committed $14 million to the World Bank Iraq Trust Fund to
address priorities in agriculture, water resources and other key sectors.
The remaining $6 million has been committed to the UN Development Group Iraq
Trust Fund, to support efforts to strengthen governance and civil society in
Iraq.
Australia welcomes the involvement of the World Bank and the United Nations
in the joint management of the facility. This will help ensure consistency and
coherence between Facility-financed activities and overall Iraqi development
priorities.
The reconstruction process must be led by Iraq and ensure that key national
development priorities are met. Australian funding will continue to place
emphasis on Iraqi participation, capacity building, and employment creation.
Australia's contribution to Iraq's reconstruction is now over $120 million.
This assistance has focused on activities where we have expertise and can add
value, including agriculture, economic policy, water supply and sanitation, and
donor coordination.
Media contacts:
Chris Kenny (Ministerial) (02) 6277 7500 or 0419 206 890
Jo Elsom (AusAID) (02) 6206 4960 or 0412 804 489